Brighton & Hove Albion

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Former Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall says the Seagulls "have to go all out" to win the Conference League next season and secure the club's first major trophy.

A final day home defeat by Manchester United ended the possibility of Champions League or Europa League qualification, but Fabian Hurzeler's side will still play European football for only the second time in the club's history.

In the aftermath of Crystal Palace's win in the competition on Wednesday, Albion Unlimited's Johnny Cantor shared on X: "It's a long haul to win the Europa Conference League. Palace played 60 games this season - 17 in the Conference League, 38 Premier League, three League Cup, One FA Cup, one Community Shield. But as the third English team to win it, it shows it can be done with a decent Premier League squad. Over to Brighton & Hove Albion in 26-27."

Speaking on the latest Albion Unlimited, Aspinall explained: "They will be disappointed with the Leeds result more than the Manchester United result because that's where you get your points to get into Europe.

"If we'd have beaten Leeds we would have already been in the Europa League.

"But, the aim for a top-10 finish and aim for Europe and that has been achieved.

"Hurzeler will be OK about it. He knew he'd had that blip, he can't win a game in December, so he will have to address that slump.

"We have to go all out to win the Conference League. When you get to the latter stages there's some big teams but we have to get a cup under our belts. We have not got one at all. If this is the first cup we win, so be it. We have to go all out to get it.

"We could rotate and play youngsters but then if we lose a game the fans will say, 'we didn't put our first team out so you get what you deserve'. I think you have to go gung-ho and go for it no matter what."

Watch the full episode here or listen on BBC Sounds

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The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?

Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?

Let us know your thoughts here

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We asked for your views on Solly March leaving Brighton after 14 years of service, following the expiration of his current contract.

"It has been everything I could have hoped for and more," said the 31-year-old in an open letter - and he clearly became a fan favourite at Amex Stadium.

Here are some of your replies:

Michael: Solly has without doubt been one of the most talented, dedicated and top professionals Brighton has had over the past 14 years. Having watched him develop, I always knew he would compete at the highest level. With better luck, I'm sure he would have graced an England shirt. Thank you for everything, Solly. It was a joy and pleasure to watch you throughout the years - Sussex born and bred! The very best for your future - you will be missed.

Paul: One of the few players who really got you out of your seat. Solly, it has been an absolute pleasure to have seen you play for my team. Three hundred games is one heck of a feat and you should be very proud of yourself. I will always applaud you if you return to Amex Stadium, as will thousands of other Albion fans. Wishing you the very best of luck, wherever you find yourself. Any team will be very proud and lucky to have you.

Keith: Solly, you have made a fantastic contribution to Brighton & Hove Albion. Lots of us Sussex lads would've loved to have walked in your shoes. You always gave your best. Very well done - and good luck for the future.

Dommo: Solly, I live in Eastbourne and you have a loyal following within this area. An ex-colleague of mine knows your dad. You are a local boy who has been loved and adored by the fans. You will be missed. I wish you well in your next journey.

Adrian: Solly, you will always be one of the Albion's all-time greats! Your commitment to the club has been outstanding. To watch you progress from the days down at The Dripping Pan with Lewes through to our ventures into Europe has been a joy. You truly reflect what Brighton & Hove Albion is as a club. Thank you for being part of my family's enjoyment over the years. I wish you success in whatever the next chapter brings for you.

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From arriving as a 17-year-old midfield prospect, to leaving as a 'local legend' who has represented Brighton & Hove Albion 300 times in all competitions, Solly March's 14-year journey at the Seagulls has come to an end.

The south coast side announced March's contract will not be extended after representing Brighton for the final time in the 3-0 loss to Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season.

March was formerly on Chelsea's books during his youth, but it was at non-league Lewes where he caught the attention of then League One side Brighton.

In an open letter to Brighton fans, external, the 31-year-old said: "From arriving from Lewes as a young lad with big dreams to walking out at the Amex in the Premier League and in Europe, it's been everything I could have hoped for and more.

"I grew up at this club and learned what it means to represent Brighton & Hove Albion. I'll always be grateful for the opportunity. As the club grew, I was lucky enough to grow with it.

"That promotion season will always stay with me and to take this club into the Premier League meant everything.

"What followed went beyond anything I imagined. Establishing ourselves in the Premier League and then, under Roberto de Zerbi, reaching Europe. Those nights were incredibly special, and I'm proud to have been part of them.

"It's been an honour to wear this shirt and to be part of this club's history. I'll always be watching, always supporting and always grateful. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

You can send your well wishes to local legend, Solly March, as he leaves the club after representing the Seagulls for 14 years - send your views by clicking this form

Watch a clip of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited below or the full episode here - and don't forget to subscribe to the show on BBC Sounds

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Joe Sayers
Fan writer

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Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

A solid 8/10, and the overriding emotion is pride. A lot of praise needs to be heaped on to Fabian Hurzeler. Earlier this year, he was under immense pressure from sections of the fanbase, with questions being asked about performances and direction. But to turn things around and deliver another eighth-place finish alongside European qualification is incredible. The Albion continue to punch above their weight and Hurzeler deserves huge credit for keeping belief intact and guiding the club to a second European campaign.

Best moment and why?

Hurzeler beating his chest in front of the North Stand after we beat Liverpool at the Amex. It was one of those moments that goes beyond the result itself. The emotion, the connection with the fans and the sense of release all came together at once. Truly, it felt at that moment like things had changed and the belief around the club had returned.

Player of season and why?

Ferdi Kadioglu. He brought a constant energy all over the pitch that never wavered throughout the campaign. Whether driving forward or putting in the hard yards defensively, his commitment and intensity stood out every week. He deserved more goals this season too, which only adds to the excitement around what he could produce next time. There is a big season coming from him.

Unsung hero and why?

James Milner. The players constantly talk about how much of an influence he is on and off the pitch, and that says everything. His professionalism, leadership and standards helped create the environment needed for us to achieve our European qualification.

Biggest disappointment?

There were points and moments when, had we kept our nerve a little more, we could be talking about Champions League nights. But to be achieving Europe for a second time, you cannot be too disappointed with that.

What needs to change this summer?

Nothing needs to change, because the well-oiled machine of Brighton & Hove Albion is ticking over exactly as we would hope it to. The club is building slowly but surely towards more success.

Major hope for next season?

Simple - we have to go and win the Conference League!

Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external

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Should Brighton expect to go all the way in the Conference League and is there a risk attached to their participation?

BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor was joined by Warren Aspinall and Guy Butters on this week's Albion Unlimited and the issue was discussed.

Watch the full show by pressing play above or listen on BBC Sounds here

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi is targeting three players from his former club Brighton - Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 22, Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke, 25, and Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, 23. (Independent), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross believes his side were "so close to achieving" more after a 3-0 defeat by Manchester United left the Seagulls resigned to a Conference League place next season.

A draw or win would have seen Fabian Hurzeler's men secure a place in the Europa League but they were leapfrogged by Sunderland, who beat Chelsea on the final day of the season.

You can listen to the full interview above or on BBC Sounds

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Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 11th

Fabian Hurzeler's future at Brighton looked bleak mid-season, when fan discontent surfaced at Amex Stadium, but this fiercely driven and competitive young German coach turned it around to not only take Brighton into Europe, but also sign a new contract through to 2029.

After a period of uncertainty, this superbly run club now look back on an even keel and ready to move forward once more - both in Europe and domestically.

What I said in August: "Brighton are always pleasing on the eye and they will not take a backwards step under Hurzeler. Another decent season awaits."

Check out the rest of my review here

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Brighton let Europa League football slip away, but Conference League football will be a "great chance" for Fabian Hurzeler's team to win some silverware next season, believes The Telegraph's Luke Edwards.

The Seagulls have never won a major trophy, with the 1983 FA Cup final - which they lost in a replay to Manchester United - being as close as they have got.

"Brighton will be disappointed because of the manner in which it happened," Edwards told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "That Europa League spot was in their own hands going into the final game of the season, and then they went and got pumped by Manchester United.

"There will also be disappointment because the financial difference between the Europa League and Conference League is quite sizeable. But, as Crystal Palace have shown this season, it is possible to go far in the Conference League.

"Brighton have never won a major trophy, so this will be a great chance for them to win some silverware.

"There will be a bit of frustration, but I do also think there will be an immense amount of satisfaction after coming through their difficult spell this season.

"They are a brilliantly run football club, and they have been for a number of years."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk says European qualification represents a season of success at the club.

Defeats by Leeds and Manchester United in the last two games left Brighton sweating on Brentford not getting an injury-time winner at Liverpool to deprive them of a place in next season's Conference League.

Rather than feel underwhelmed at the prospect of entering a third-ranked competition, Dunk believes it is a measure of how far Brighton have come that after never previously qualifying for Europe in their entire history, they have now done it twice in four years.

"100% it's a success" he said.

"If you look at the size of the club, should we be here? Probably not. But we overachieve a lot. That's our thing. It's hard to compete with the big boys but the manager talks about challenging the establishment and I guess we have because we're in Europe."

The season has ended with an element of uncertainty at Amex Stadium.

Coach Fabian Hurzeler offered no clarity on the future of 40-year-old James Milner, whose contract expires at the end of June.

Central defender Adam Webster is set to leave the club but Solly March and Joel Veltman are also out of contract this summer and Brighton are yet to confirm if talks are ongoing over new deals.

Brighton will start their new season slightly earlier than their Premier League rivals given they enter the Conference League at the play-off stage and play the first leg on 20 August.

Dunk thinks there are lessons to be learned from their run to the last 16 of the Europa League in 2023-24.

"It was new to us," said the 34-year-old. "I don't think anyone in the football club really knew what was going on.

"So, now we've experienced it, we have felt it. We have to back ourselves to get to the end."

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We asked for your views on Brighton securing Conference League football next season.

Here are some of your comments:

Barry: Despite somehow stumbling into Europe's lowest-tier competition, Brighton ended the season in embarrassing fashion with a limp 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United. On paper, European qualification sounds impressive; in reality, this performance exposed just how far off the pace Brighton looked against a side that had nothing to play for.

Paul: A shambolic performance from the team. Totally clueless from front to back. So fortunate to have qualified for Europe and if we play like Sunday next season we will be in a worrying position.

Fran: Very poor performance but not unexpected. It seemed like we were on the beach as nobody played well. We need to strengthen for next season as Europe (Thursday/Sunday) will not be easy. Overall, a very up and down season!

Philip: Truly awful performance after a promising start. Lack of firepower and coordination up front evident and seemed like some players had started their holidays already. Went hoping to celebrate a great season and left feeling deflated even though Europe was back on the cards.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has hailed European qualification as another significant milestone in the history of the club.

Despite the disappointment of ending the season with a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United, Brentford's failure to win at Liverpool meant Brighton were able to reach the UEFA Conference League, even though Sunderland leapfrogged them on the final day.

It will mean a club that never played in Europe in its entire history until two seasons ago will get to experience it again next term.

The Brighton fans quickly shrugged off the disappointment of their team's performance against Manchester United to celebrate the achievement.

And Hurzeler also feels it is something to take immense satisfaction from.

"There are mixed feelings because on the one side, it was the worst timing for that kind of performance," he said.

"But on the other, it is the second time now we are in Europe so that's why we should see it more as an achievement.

"It's very important to see where we came from and to see our development in the last years.

"The club always tries to find small steps where we can [to get] the most potential from everyone.

"I see how hard the players have worked for this achievement and that's why I think it's another milestone in the history of this club."

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after his side qualified for the Conference League: "It was the worst time for this performance from us but we have to look at it overall in what we achieved.

"We had a difficult season with lots of highs and lows, so to finish eighth is good.

"We weren't good enough today or on our highest level today. We have to accept it. There is nothing to analyse because the season is over now. The goal distracted us and we couldn't react well to the goals.

"We had a bad run, kept going, kept fighting and that was quite positive. When you see the overall season we should be happy with what we achieved."

Listen to more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Brighton have lost six of their nine final Premier League games of the season (W3), indeed no team have more such defeats than the Seagulls since they entered the competition in 2017-18 (also six for Burnley and Wolves).

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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There are some clubs for whom qualification for the Conference League would be seen as something of an embarrassment.

Brighton are not one of them.

Yes, there were grumbles during the game at a performance far below expectations but the cheers that rang round the stadium as Brentford's failure to win at Anfield were joyous.

'Europe again', the Brighton fans chanted. "Three months ago people were talking about relegation, now we are in Europe," chirped skipper Lewis Dunk as he took part in the post-season lap of honour.

Crystal Palace's appearance in the Conference League final on Wednesday gives their great rivals something to aim for and boss Hurzeler a Sunday-Thursday conundrum to solve now he has signed his new three-year contract.

These are first-world problems though. There are plenty at Brighton who remember all the dark times, when the future of the club was at risk.

Europe beckons again. Brighton are a different club now.

Brighton secured Conference League football next season despite suffering a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler signed a new three-year deal earlier this month in a show of his commitment to the club.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Veteran James Milner returns to the Brighton starting line-up, with uncertainty over whether he will extend his career beyond the end of the season.

Fabian Huzeler makes three changes as Mats Wiefer and Diego Gomez are also recalled, with United transfer target Carlos Baleba among those dropped to the bench.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Milner, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper, Gross, Wiefer, Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Gomez, Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, March, Rutter, Minteh, Baleba, Kostoulas, Boscagli, O'Reilly Veltman.

Patrick Dorgu makes his first start since January in place of Matheus Cunha, who is on the bench.

Mason Mount replaces Casemiro in midfield, while Noussar Mazraoui is in for Diogo Dalot.

Youngsters Tyler Fletcher and Shea Lacey are named on the bench by United's new permanent head coach Michael Carrick.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mount, Mainoo, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Cunha, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Ugarte, Heaven, T Fletcher, Lacey.

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

This one gets a little bit confusing, but Aston Villa's Europa League final win over Freiburg make things clearer.

Because England has won one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS) for next season's Champions League, five Premier League clubs will feature in the competition instead of four. Like England, Spain have also guaranteed five clubs.

We already know that Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Villa are four of those.

But because of Villa winning the Europa League, there is a scenario where six English clubs qualify for the Champions League next term.

For that to happen, Villa would need to finish fifth.

Currently, they are fourth - three points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool. That means Liverpool would need to beat Brentford and hope Villa lose at City for them to overtake Unai Emery's team.

Fans of Bournemouth and Brighton will also hope this happens. If it does, it means one of them would join Liverpool and be a sixth English team in the Champions League.

The Cherries only need a point at Nottingham Forest to guarantee a top-six finish.

Meanwhile, the Seagulls would need to beat Manchester United and for Bournemouth to lose to finish sixth.

Liverpool only need a point to guarantee a top-five finish. But if they lose at home to the Bees, they would only not finish fifth if Bournemouth win at Forest and the Cherries overturned a six-goal deficit in goal difference. Of course, if they ended up in sixth then it would be Europa League and not Champions League for the Anfield side.

Whoever finishes in seventh will also enter the Europa League.

A win for Brighton would guarantee them Europa League football at least. If the Seagulls fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.

Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Liverpool.

Whoever finishes eighth will enter the Conference League next season.

Got it?

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has praised the longevity of former team-mate Danny Welbeck – but wishes he would stop scoring against his old club.

Carrick was at United when Welbeck started to come through the ranks and was part of the same 2012-13 Premier League title-winning side.

But if he was a positive for United during his time at Old Trafford, he has been a pain since he left.

The 35-year-old has scored eight goals against them, more than he has managed against any other club.

His latest was Brighton's decisive second goal in their FA Cup third-round victory in January.

"He's scored against us too many times," said Carrick. "I still call him 'my lad'. He's an old man now, which makes me feel old.

"Huge respect for him. It's terrific that he came through here and made a massive impact.

"For him to go on and have the career he's had and still be playing so well at the age he is shows his mindset and his attitude and all those things enable you to play to 35.

"He deserves a lot of credit for that and I'm really delighted, genuinely, to see him doing so well."