Written by
Ian Westbrook
June 4, 2025
Brighton and Hove Albion Goalkeeper Coaches Marco Knoop and Jack Stern are both leaving the club in a reshuffle of their backroom staff.
Knoop, who was also the club’s Defensive Set Piece Coach, joined the Seagulls with Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler last summer, while Brighton fan Stern, who signed a new long-term contract last summer, arrived in January 2022 from FC Cincinnati.
Knoop was also Goalkeeper Coach for Hurzeler at St Pauli as the club won promotion to the Bundesliga in 2024. He was integral to the Head Coach’s philosophy of playing out from the back.
He has also held similar roles in the youth teams at VfL Bochum, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund and been First Team Goalkeeper Coach at Fenerbahce and FC Nordsjaelland
Stern worked for West Bromwich Albion’s Academy before spending four years with CF Montreal, where he started as Head of Academy Goalkeeping and then became Head of Goalkeeping and First Team Goalkeeper Coach, before landing the same dual role at Cincinnati.
Hurzeler said: “Jack and Marco have helped us to achieve a successful season in my first campaign at Brighton and I wish both well for the future. Marco made a lot of sacrifices to join me in England and I will always be grateful to him for that.”
Technical Director David Weir said: “It’s never an easy decision when people leave the club. Jack has been part of a very successful period for the club, working under Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi and Fabian. We thank both for their service, professionalism and hard work and wish them well for the future.”
Knoop said: “I’ve been privileged to be a part of this amazing football club this season. We’ve made some incredible memories and while I leave with a heavy heart and will miss Brighton, I’m proud of our efforts this season.”
Stern said: “The experience of working for my hometown club in the Premier League is one I will always be incredibly grateful and thankful for. I wish nothing but the best for the club I have supported since I was a boy, the future is so exciting for Brighton and the best is surely still to come!”
The club will be looking for a new Goalkeeper Coach and last month advertised on TGG for a new Set Piece Coach for the start of next season.
The job description said: “In this role, you will lead the development of our set-piece strategy, designing and delivering innovative coaching practices to bring it to life on the pitch.
“You’ll conduct in-depth analysis of opposition behaviours and patterns to identify strengths, exploit weaknesses, and stay ahead of emerging trends. Your insights and creativity will play a key role in helping BHAFC set the standard and strive for excellence.”
Brighton had the joint fourth-best record defending set pieces in the Premier League last season and the joint fifth-best record in scoring from them.
You can see current elite level job adverts here on TGG and you can submit an advert for your own club’s vacancy here.
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