Football
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Brighton give boss Chris Hughton new four-year contract

Brighton manager Chris Hughton has signed a new four-year contract just days after the club missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

A draw at Middlesbrough on the final day of the regular league season saw Brighton condemned to third place in the Championship, when automatic promotion was tantalisingly close.

A painful playoff semifinal defeat followed at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, meaning Brighton must try again next season to earn a place in the top flight.

And the ambitious Seagulls board members trust Hughton to lead the challenge, handing him a new deal that runs until 2020.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom told the club's official website: "Chris thoroughly deserves this new contract after such an outstanding season.

"There is no doubt he is one of the best and most skilful managers in the country and we are delighted to be going into next season with Chris at the helm and leading our club, as we aim to go one step further and realise our ultimate aim of reaching the Premier League."

Brighton's playoff elimination came on Monday night when a 1-1 home draw against their South Yorkshire opponents saw them knocked out 3-1 on aggregate.

It was a particularly cruel setback as Brighton had finished the Championship campaign 15 points clear of sixth-placed Wednesday, who will face Hull in the Wembley final.

Hughton, a former manager of Newcastle, Birmingham and Norwich, initially signed a three-and-a-half-year deal when joining Brighton. The new deal replaces that contract.

The 57-year-old has impressed Bloom since day one.

"He secured our safety in his first five months in charge, and has instigated an outstanding turnaround in our fortunes on the pitch," Bloom said.

"He has overseen the building of a squad of which we are immensely proud, and one which has delivered a season to remember for our fans.

"He also has led the club off the pitch too, at important and difficult times, and we are very proud to have him as manager of Brighton & Hove Albion."

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