Chris Hughton: "I am aiming to hit the ground running"

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New Brighton and Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton is confident the club can survive in the Championship.

The 56-year-old, who has enjoyed previous success in the second tier of English football with Newcastle United and Birmingham City, was unveiled as Sami Hyypia's successor this morning.

He has already taken to the training ground to begin working with his new Seagulls squad and told the club's official website he is convinced the Albion will start heading up the table sooner rather than later.

He said: "I'm thrilled to be back in management and Brighton and Hove Albion is a fantastic club, with a first-class infrastructure both in footballing and business terms.

"We've got one very obvious initial challenge, and I am aiming to hit the ground running, but I am confident with the resources at the club we can succeed in retaining our status in the Championship.

'Once that is achieved we can work towards getting the club back challenging at the top end of the division."

Hughton has won an impressive 54% of the 92 games he has manager at Championship level.