Sporting Director Ayto exits Brighton after nine months
Written by
Simon Austin
June 3, 2026
Sporting Director Jason Ayto has left Brighton after just nine months, with Technical Director Mike Cave now stepping up to “oversee all sporting areas of the club.”
Ayto joined the Seagulls from Arsenal in September 2025, having worked for the Gunners for more than a decade before that. His remit was to oversee “all footballing areas” at Brighton, including player recruitment, performance and medical for men’s, women’s and Academies.
At the time of his appointment, Barber described Ayto as “one of the most talented young Sporting Directors in the country.”
Brighton announced Ayto’s exit in a short statement today, with Chairman Tony Bloom saying: “I’d like to thank Jason for everything he has done for us, and to wish him well for the future.”
Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman Paul Barber added: “Jason has been a valued team colleague on our strategic leadership group. I’d like to thank him for his contribution since he joined the club and wish him all the best going forward.”
Cave, who joined the Seagulls from Fulham in November 2022 as Assistant Technical Director, will now lead on all sporting areas, reporting into Barber.
Cave was promoted to Technical Director last September, reporting into Ayto, with a remit of leading “across all technical areas, including men’s and women’s teams and both Academies, and men’s first-team medical and performance.”
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