Ayto appointed Sporting Director as Brighton unveil new structure
Written by
Simon Austin
September 15, 2025
Jason Ayto has been appointed Sporting Director at Brighton, with Mike Cave promoted to Technical Director.
Before his departure at the end of last season, Ayto had worked for Arsenal for more than a decade. He had originally started as a scout for them in 2014, going on to become Recruitment Co-Ordinator and then Assistant Sporting Director.
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At Brighton, the 40-year-old will work closely with the men’s and women’s Head Coaches (Fabian Hurzeler and Dario Vidosic) and oversee “all footballing areas of the club”, including player recruitment, performance and medical for men’s, women’s teams and Academies.
He will be based at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre and report into Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Paul Barber.
Cave, who joined the Seagulls from Fulham in November 2022 as Assistant Technical Director, will report into Ayto and work “across all technical areas, including men’s and women’s teams and both Academies, and men’s first-team medical and performance.”
Last week Brighton announced that Technical Director David Weir was leaving after seven years as the club sought “new leadership and direction.”
The former Scotland international had joined in July 2018 as Pathway Development Manager, before being promoted to Assistant Technical Director and then, in May 2022, to Technical Director.
Reaction
Barber, who has worked for Brighton for more than 13 years, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jason to the club. We are all very much looking forward to working with one of the most talented young Sporting Directors in the country.”
Ayto, who speaks Spanish and Portuguese as well as English, added: “I’m honoured to be appointed sporting director at Brighton & Hove Albion and I’m very grateful to Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and the board for this opportunity.
“This is a special club, admired across the footballing world for its culture, ambition and smart thinking, all of which has underpinned some remarkable progress in recent years.
“To be joining at a time when there is such a strong desire to build on those excellent foundations, innovate further and bring success is incredibly exciting.
“I’m looking forward to getting started and working with, and supporting both our head coaches Fabian Hurzeler and Dario Vidosic, and their respective playing squads.
“I’m also delighted to have the opportunity to work with Mike, who is an excellent operator, incredibly well respected within the game, and with his working knowledge of the club, it will be hugely beneficial working alongside him.
“Together, our focus will be on supporting all of our players, coaches and staff to help us achieve our aims on the pitch.”
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