Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has discussed the clockwork continuity that allows the Seagulls to operate as one of the Premier League’s best-run clubs. Newcastle United have raised the South Coast since the Saudi-backed takeover was completed, with Dan Burn and Dan Ashworth making the trip up north.
The latter’s appointment as sporting director in June was seen as a coup as Manchester United were reportedly keen on the former FA head of development. Bringing a man of Ashworth’s calibre to oversee sporting decisions at the club helps Newcastle evolve into a modern-day institution rather than a remnant from yesteryear.
However, it is not just his departure that Brighton have had to overcome in recent times. Highly-rated coach Graham Potter was always heading to Stamford Bridge as soon as Chelsea came calling while several key players left in the summer.
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Offloading first-team stars Marc Cucurella, Neal Maupay and Yves Bissouma meant the Seagulls turned over a £60million profit ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. The fact Brighton are seventh in the top flight despite their summer exodus is testament to the system in place at the Amex Stadium.
Speaking to Sky Sports before their defeat to Brentford, Barber provided insight into how Ashworth was replaced after his Newcastle switch. The chief executive said: “First of all, we try to look at the top 20/25 jobs in the club and always have someone lined up to succeed the person who's in that top job.
“We had that with Dan (Ashworth), David Weir was ready and waiting to step up as technical director. He had been assistant technical director for a short while, but also our loans manager for a lot longer. So the process of recruitment never changes.
“We've got the same recruitment team, the same systems. David worked with Dan very closely as technical director, so it's simply business as usual. And that's really important if you want the continuity to affect a smooth transition.”
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