Brighton and Hove Albion appoint Oscar Garcia as head coach

Oscar Garcia has been appointed to the newly created role of head coach of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Garcia’s immediate task will be to oversee pre-season training. The 40-year-old will take up his new post tomorrow morning (Thursday 27 June).

He said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work in English football for the first time.

“Brighton and Hove Albion is one of the most exciting and progressive clubs in the country.”

Chairman Tony Bloom said: “We are delighted to have Oscar here to help us prepare for the new season and plan what promises to be another exciting campaign for the club.”

Garcia played for Barcelona and Valencia before becoming youth coach at the Nou Camp.

His first senior role was as manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv and in his first season at the club he guided the Israeli side to their first league title win in a decade.

Seagulls manager Gus Poyet said that he was appealing against his sacking by the club.