The sudden exit of the head coach, 36, comes just hours after her press conference ahead of Albion’s clash with the Red Devils.

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The team, who visit Man United on Sunday, are currently tenth and six points above bottom-placed Bristol City.

This follows a run of games in which Brighton have picked up three wins and two draws from 12 top-flight fixtures so far this term.

Seagulls officials say the choice which led to Phillips’ departure, announced by the club earlier this evening, has not been taken lightly.

Albion technical director David Weir said: “This is not a decision which has been taken lightly, but we feel it is vital for the progress we want to see in the Women’s Super League. 

“We have invested heavily in the women’s squad and infrastructure going into this season, and results and performances have not been at the level we had expected, given that investment.

“We would like to thank Melissa for her efforts and, on behalf of everyone at the club, we wish her well for the future.”

Phillips, who hails from the United States, previously managed second tier side London City Lionesses for three years from 2020.

Last January the American left the club when they were top of Women’s Championship to take on an assistant coaching role at US outfit Angel City.

In April Phillips moved on from her post at the NWSL club to take charge of Albion who were then bottom of the league.

And she guided the Seagulls to last year’s FA Cup semi-final where they fell to a 3-2 loss to Man United whilst also helping them avoid relegation with a tenth-place finish.

Phillips’ departure comes ten months after former Albion boss Jens Scheuer left the job “by mutual consent” after just six games in charge.

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Results included three losses in the top-flight.

Mikey Harris who previously managed the Seagulls’ Under-18s and Under-23s men’s, will take charge of their women’s team on an interim basis.

The former Portsmouth Under-18s boss will oversee the WSL outfit’s away game against Man United on Sunday.