Kirby 'stressed' by abrupt Vidosic exit from Brighton

Former England striker Fran Kirby says the departure of Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic on the eve of the season left her feeling "stressed" and "disappointed". Fran Kirby has scored 10 goals and supplied six assists in the Women's Super League for Brighton since joining six days before Dario Vidosic was appointed in July 2024 Vidosic guided Brighton to the club's first FA Cup final this year and finished a club-record fifth and seventh in the Women's Super League before leaving abruptly on 28 August, nine days before their opener against Arsenal. He was replaced by Real Sociedad manager Arturo Ruiz on the same day. "It wasn't easy when I heard," Kirby told 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 that can go on and achieve amazing things with top clubs. "But we had Arsenal coming up and hadn't had a coaching session with the new manager. Brighton lost their season curtain-raiser to the Gunners, the only game Arsenal have won so far in the WSL, and went winless through their first four league matches under Ruiz. The 29-year-old did secure his first victory in the English top-flight before the international break, thrashing promoted Charlton 5-1. However, this Sunday, Brighton travel to champions