Brighton have sacked manager Chris Hughton following the club's poor run of form in 2019.

Albion scraped Premier League survival by two points following just two wins from 18 top-flight matches since the turn of the year.

Brighton ended their season one place below Saints in 17th.

Seagulls chairman Tony Bloom said: "Undoubtedly, this has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make as chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion, but ultimately one I have made due to how we struggled in the second half of the season.

"Our run of three wins from 23 Premier League matches put our status at significant risk. It is with that in mind, and the performances during that period, that I now feel it's the right time for a change."

Hughton replaced Sami Hyypia at the Amex Stadium in December 2014, with Brighton just above the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone.

After defeat in the play-off semi-finals in 2016, Hughton led Albion to promotion the following season with a second-placed finish.

He also guided the club to only their second FA Cup semi-final earlier this season.

"Chris has done an excellent job over the past four-and-a-half years," said Bloom.

"First stabilising our club, reaching the play-offs in his first full season, securing our first-ever promotion to the Premier League, and retaining our status in two successive seasons."

Assistant manager Paul Trollope and first-team coach Paul Nevin have also departed.

The club have confirmed that the search for Hughton's successor is already under way.

"Chris will always be very fondly remembered by Albion staff and fans as one of our club's finest and most-respected managers," continued Bloom.

"I would like to wish Chris, Paul and Paul - who have all worked extremely hard throughout their time here - every success for the future, and thank them on behalf of everyone at the club.

"They will always be welcome at the Amex, and will be remembered here with great affection."