Kirby Reflects on Vidosic's Departure as Brighton Faces Tough Challenge Ahead

Fran Kirby, the former England striker, has found herself in a challenging position after the unexpected departure of Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic just before the season kicked off. With ten goals and six assists in the Women’s Super League, Kirby had only recently settled in with the team, and Vidosic's exit left her feeling both "stressed" and "disappointed." Vidosic had a remarkable tenure, leading Brighton to their first-ever FA Cup final and achieving club records with fifth and seventh place finishes in the league. However, on August 28, just nine days before their season opener against Arsenal, he left the club, creating a scramble for a new coach. Arturo Ruiz, previously with Real Sociedad, was appointed on the same day. “It wasn’t easy when I heard,” Kirby shared on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. “I was a bit disappointed. I had a really good relationship with Dario and think he’s a fantastic coach.” With a crucial match against Arsenal looming, Kirby noted the lack of preparation under the new manager, which only heightened her stress levels. The match against Arsenal ended in a loss, marking Arsenal's only victory in the league so far, and Brighton struggled to find their rhythm, going winless in their first four league encounters under Ruiz. However, things took a turn for the better before the international break, as Brighton secured their first win in a commanding 5-1 victory against promoted Charlton. This Sunday, they face the daunting task of taking on Manchester City, the reigning champions, who have won all five of their matches this season. This clash will be the first since City triumphed 4-0 in the FA Cup final last May. Kirby, a veteran of seven WSL titles with Chelsea, acknowledged the rocky start to the 2026-27 season. “We’re under no illusions – it's been a tough start,” she admitted. “Getting the manager in so late and trying to adapt to his style of play… it’s difficult when it comes so close to the start of the season.” Brighton, under Vidosic, had adopted a possession-focused style, often dominating the ball and creating chances. That approach led to their success, with only a few teams averaging more possession per game. They were also known for their physicality, frequently committing fouls and earning yellow cards in previous seasons. Women’s football journalist Annabel Bassett noted the team’s ability to absorb pressure and build from the back. “They would overload in midfield and then possessed a real goal threat. It all came together,” she said, referring to their journey to the FA Cup final. While Vidosic's departure has cast a shadow over Brighton's ambitions, Ruiz’s previous success with Real Sociedad, where he guided them to Champions League qualification, offers a glimmer of hope. The start has been rocky, with Brighton dropping points against teams like Birmingham City and Aston Villa, despite having promising performances. However, their recent League Cup victories and the impressive win against Charlton indicate that Ruiz's tactics might be starting to take shape. Kirby emphasized the team’s eagerness to adapt, stating, “We still want to play, but now it’s more about how we harm the opposition quicker.” The transition to a more direct style is challenging, but she believes in the group’s potential. Bassett observed that the desire for possession has intensified under Ruiz, who emphasizes winning the ball high and exploiting flanks to create opportunities. He appears willing to experiment and is optimistic about the work being done behind the scenes. “I’m really happy with the performances and the work we have been doing,” Ruiz told BBC Sport. “The beginning is very difficult without previous time to build identity and clarity. I hope that from this Sunday we can be more solid and have more consistency.” Kirby knows the challenge ahead against a formidable City side, who are on a remarkable run of 15 straight home wins. “They’re a quality side,” she said. “You can nullify one player, but then they’ve got another two or three. But we’ve got quality that can harm teams. Hopefully, we can put on a good performance.”