Dario Vidosic Leaves Brighton Before New WSL Season

Dario Vidosic has left his role as Brighton & Hove Albion Women's head coach little more than a week before the start of the Women's Super League season. Brighton confirmed that the 39-year-old was departing to pursue another opportunity, bringing his two-year tenure to an end as the club prepares to open its league campaign against Arsenal on September 6.

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The Guardian reports that Vidosic is the leading candidate for the permanent head coach position at Angel City, with a possible start before the 2027 National Women's Soccer League season. That prospective appointment has not been confirmed. Angel City said it is making progress with finalists for the position but does not plan to name its next permanent head coach until after the current season.

Vidosic, a former Australia midfielder who was born in Croatia, joined Brighton after managing Melbourne City Women. His time on England's south coast included the club's highest Women's Super League finish and its first Women's FA Cup final. Brighton reached Wembley in May, while its league results under Vidosic included fifth place in 2025 and seventh last season, according to The Guardian.

Brighton's women's and girls' managing director Zoe Johnson thanked Vidosic for his contribution and acknowledged the disappointment surrounding his decision. She said the club respects his choice to take on a new challenge. Vidosic said leaving had been difficult but that he believed the time was right for him and his family to begin a new chapter.

Angel City's search has been open since Alexander Straus left in June. Interim head coach Leif Gunnar Smerud has led the Los Angeles club since then, and Angel City has indicated that it is pleased with his work through the remainder of the season. The Guardian reported that the club stood ninth and two points outside the playoff places when Vidosic's candidacy emerged.

Brighton's immediate task is to appoint a new head coach without disrupting final preparations for the league opener. The timing leaves the squad facing a leadership transition after completing much of preseason under Vidosic, while Angel City continues its separate search on a longer timetable. Brighton said recruiting a successor and preparing for the new WSL season are now its priorities.