Tony Bloom: "Chris can help us get back to progressing"

Chris Hughton is the perfect manager to help Brighton and Hove Albion return to winning ways, according to Tony Bloom.

The Brighton and Hove Albion chairman unveiled the new Seagulls boss earlier this morning having awarded him a three-and-a-half year contract.

Speaking of the appointment, Bloom told the club's official website: "Chris has an excellent record in coaching and management. He's hugely respected, both nationally and internationally, and he has great contacts within the game.

"He is someone who has a real wealth of experience in the top two divisions, from nearly 15 years at Spurs as a coach, assistant and interim manager, through to his more recent work in the Premier League and Championship.

"Chris is also a manager who has a track record for developing talent at all levels from academy upwards and will embrace the work we've been doing at the club in this area in recent seasons.

"Importantly, we also felt Chris is someone who can improve our immediate situation, while also having the management credentials and skills to plan our long-term future and help us to get back to progressing in the way we have in previous seasons."

Bloom also praised Nathan Jones after the Albion's interim boss helped the Seagulls secure four points from his two games at the helm.

He said: "Anybody who saw Nathan's reaction at full-time at Fulham on Monday evening at Craven Cottage knows just what this club means to him and how important this football club is to him.

"He's an important part of our club and will be a vital part of Chris's team. During his interim spell in charge, he has done a superb job in tough circumstances, with suspensions, injury and illness.

"Nathan has further underlined his coaching ability by lifting us out of the drop zone and giving the fans one of the best away days for some time."