Brighton & Hove Albion 'line up ex-Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia as new boss'

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has reportedly been in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over their vacant manager's post.

The 40-year-old Finn most recently managed German top-flight side Bayer Leverkusen, who sacked him in April after almost two years in charge.

According to Sky Sports News, Brighton have now contacted Hyypia, known in England for his 10-year stint with Liverpool where he made over 450 appearances and won eight major trophies.

He is currently the odds-on favourite to take over at the Amex after initial speculation suggested that ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Tim Sherwood was going to be put in charge.

The Seagulls have been without a boss since Oscar Garcia resigned following their defeat in the Championship playoffs to Derby County last month.

Earlier today Garcia returned to take charge of previous club Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.