Brighton have appointed Arturo Ruiz as their new women's head coach after Dario Vidosic stepped down from the role a week before the start of the new WSL season. Ruiz has signed a contract until 2029 and will join the club once his work permit is finalised.
The move came hours after Vidosic's departure was confirmed. Brighton said he was leaving to pursue a new opportunity, bringing an abrupt end to a spell that began in 2024 when he arrived from Melbourne City on a three-year deal.
Why Brighton moved quickly
The timing leaves Brighton little room for error, but it also shows how highly the club values continuity. Zoe Johnson said the club were delighted to welcome Ruiz and that he quickly stood out during the recruitment process. She added that he has a proven track record of developing teams and individuals, and said Brighton have confidence in his ability to drive the team forward as they make their final preparations for the new season.
Ruiz arrives with experience from Atletico Madrid, Granada CF and Real Sociedad, where he took over as head coach in July 2025. That background suggests Brighton are targeting a coach with a strong development record and experience in the women's game at a high level.
What Vidosic achieved at Brighton
Vidosic's first season was a strong one by Brighton standards. He delivered the club's best WSL finish and guided them to the Women's FA Cup final for the first time in their history, with that run ending in May. Brighton had hired him with hopes of closing in on the WSL's top four, and while they did not get there, the season still marked clear progress.
In his farewell message, Vidosic said he had loved his time at Albion and was proud of what they had achieved together. The club now turn the page quickly, with Ruiz's long-term deal pointing to a broader plan beyond a single season.
For Brighton, the challenge is immediate: settle a new head coach, finalise the paperwork, and prepare for 2025-26 with the clock already ticking. But the contract length and the speed of the appointment show the club wanted stability as much as ambition. Ruiz now steps into a team that has already shown it can take a step forward, and Brighton will hope he can build on that momentum rather than reset it.
