Brighton and Hove Albion: Taricco leaves and Knight stands aside

Assistant manager Mauricio Taricco has left Brighton and Hove Albion, the club said this evening (Wednesday 26 June).

And Dick Knight has stepped down as chairman of Albion in the Community.

Meanwhile speculation has been growing that former Barcelona midfielder Oscar Garcia is to replace Gus Poyet as Albion manager.

Poyet has been dismissed but said that he would appeal against the decision.

Albion said that Taricco had left the Seagulls by mutual consent, adding: “The club would like to sincerely thank Mauricio for his hard work, professionalism and great dedication during the past three and a half years.

“Taricco joined Albion as assistant alongside Gus Poyet in November 2009 and helped guide the team to promotion as League One champions in 2011.

“Under Gus Poyet he helped establish the team in the Championship over the past two seasons, including a highly creditable fourth-placed finish last season, the best placing we have reached in 30 years.

“We wish him all the very best for the future and are confident he will have a long and successful career ahead of him.”

The club also said: “Dick Knight has stepped down from his position as chairman of Albion in the Community (AITC).

“Dick announced his decision at a meeting of the charity’s trustees where the trustees thanked Dick for his huge contribution to the organisation.”

Albion said that Knight had been a key figure in turning Albion in the Community into one of the leading community schemes in English football.

Knight said: “When I took over the club in 1997 I decided we should give something back to the community who had helped save the club and I can honestly say I am as proud of AITC as I am of any other part of my Albion career.”

Albion chairman Tony Bloom thanked Knight on behalf of the board and said: “Dick’s contribution to the club looms large in Albion’s history.

“Since standing down as chairman of the football club, he has continued his involvement with Brighton and Hove Albion both as club president and as chairman of AITC.”