Roberto De Zerbi’s departure from Albion has come as a shock to many, but fans will remain “forever grateful” for the memories they have from the past two seasons.

Following the news that head coach De Zerbi will be leaving Brighton following today’s season finale, supporters will look to give the man who secured the club’s first year in European football a good send-off.

Albion fan Jack Stephenson, who followed the club across Europe and suffered a stab wound in Rome, said: “It was a shock to me, but I think things were coming to a head really, and I’m glad the club has the summer to work things out.

“Roberto allowed us to live a dream of European football that so many other fans never will.

“For that I will be forever grateful, he’ll always be a legend, good luck to wherever he goes next.”

Despite speculation earlier in the season that he may leave, many Albion fans believed before yesterday that Roberto De Zerbi would still be in place come the beginning of next season.

Paul Samrah, who helped save the club when they left the Goldstone Ground and pushed for planning permission for the Amex, said: “I was shocked because I thought there had been positive vibes coming out in the last six weeks.

“With players signing new contracts, the season ending and some reasonable results I thought we had turned a corner.”

Paul added that he believed De Zerbi was “the best manager we have ever had in terms of league position” and that the pre-season period will be crucial for whoever comes next.

Many fans will want to give Roberto De Zerbi a great send-off at the Amex today against Manchester United – but some have warned that the reaction in the stands could turn on the result of the match.

But for some, tensions remain about the manager's departure.

Ady Packham from the Albion Roar podcast pointed to “quite a lot of anger” on social media, adding: “I think it’s going to be a really, really strange atmosphere.”

Ady said despite the successes of the past two years, how De Zerbi is finally viewed by fans could depend on which direction the club heads following his departure.

He said: “When the dust has settled I think history will tell a different story.

“Looking back at the European football this year and having been sat in Rome, getting to the pinnacle is great. But when we look back on that, a lot will depend on what comes next.”

While some feel it is too early to speculate about who will replace Roberto De Zerbi, fans do believe that Tony Bloom and Paul Barber will already have a plan in place.

While multiple names have been touted as potential replacements, one man’s name has proved to be a hot topic for debate – Graham Potter.

For some the idea of a return has been poisoned by Potter’s departure for Chelsea, but other fans have welcomed the idea of him returning.

For now, fans will look to De Zerbi’s final game in a successful two year stint, but announcements on the club's future will be on the horizon.