Brighton & Hove Albion look to potentially appoint youngest manager in Premier League history with 31 year old Fabian Hurzeler, as per reports.
The American-born Hurzeler has already exceeded exceptions, currently leading German underdogs St. Pauli, but has now emerged as a top target for Brighton owner Tony Bloom, in their data-driven search for Roberto De Zerbi’s replacement.
The Seagulls have also held discussions with Graham Potter regarding a potential comeback, however, it now doesn’t look likely.
Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “Yes, there is concrete interest from Brighton in Fabian Hürzeler!
“The 31 y/o is one of the top candidates to become the new head coach in Brighton and there have already been initial talks – confirmed.
“However, no decision has been made yet. And no negotiations with St. Pauli yet.
“Hürzeler still has an active contract but no release clause. Recently, he sensationally achieved promotion to the Bundesliga with St. Pauli.”
Should Hurzeler take the job, he would become the youngest permanent manager the Premier League has ever had.
Ryan Mason was in interim charge of Tottenham aged 29 years, 19 months and eight days.
BREAKING: Sources close to Graham Potter have told Sky Sports News that he will not be returning to Brighton as head coach 🚨 pic.twitter.com/FrDwsPTStz
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 7, 2024
Exclusive: One of Europe’s youngest coaches is a leading candidate for the Brighton job.
I’ll be honest, I had to Google this guy…https://t.co/no1pC2nNLX
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) June 6, 2024
Hurzeler began his managerial/coaching career in 2016, joining FC Pipinsried as a joint player/head coach, a decision which received praise from former Bayern Munich II teammate Emre Can, who predicted a successful coaching career for him.
In 2018, he then took on the role of assistant manager for the Germany U20s and Germany U18s, already showing just how much he had impressed by this point.
Fast forward to 2020, Hurzeler was appointed as the new assistant at FC St. Pauli, working alongside head coach Timo Schultz, who was then sacked, on the 6th of December 2022, leading to Hurzeler being named as interim head coach.
Just two weeks later, on the 23rd of December, he was given the role as permanent head coach, making him the youngest head coach in the 2. Bundesliga league at the age of 29.
During his tenure, he successfully turned the team’s fortunes around, led the club to a positive string of results, achieved ten consecutive wins by April 2023 and took them from a team in danger of relegation to a promotion chasing side.
In April 2023, at the age of 30, Hurzeler obtained his UEFA Pro Licence, further enhancing his coaching credentials, and success continued, signing a contract with St. Pauli in March 2024, and by May 2024, under his leadership, St. Pauli secured promotion to the Bundesliga, after a 13-year absence.
He has now caught the attention of top flight clubs, with Brighton going in for him.
Brighton were looking at Potter, but he’s keeping his options open and is interested in the England job should Gareth Southgate steps down as England manager following the upcoming Euros.
The Seagulls were also interest in Kieran McKenna before he extended his contract with Ipswich.
Henrik Rydstrom, the manager of Malmo, is also reportedly being considered for a position at the Amex Stadium after leading his team to the title in Swedish last season and are top of it for the 2024 season.
Both Hurzeler and Rydstrom need to secure a work permit before should they take on roles at Brighton.
This is how fans reacted as reports claim Brighton look to potentially appoint the youngest manager in Premier League history with 31 year old Fabian Hurzeler…
@Felstedboy: Brighton taking a long time to sign a new manager.I thought they were so well run they would have a manager ready to step in. #bhafc
@bhaniall_: Get this done @OfficialBHAFC
@bha_forza: bring fabian Hurzeler to the albion right now
@fred_bhafc: from what ive heard about fabian hurzeler is that he is similar to De Zerbi in the sense that he likes to keep possession and that he is not afraid for his team to constantly change formation throughout a game getting 7 players to attack and bring 5 back to defend #bhafc
@seancsullivan: Only knew who he was about 5 minutes ago but Fabian Hurzeler looks a great fit #BHAFC
@TheBrightonBard: INTERESTING This is exactly the kind of left-field candidate you can imagine us going for.
@TomK03_: This is so hipster of us
@Elliothompson02: This is proper Brighton none of this Steve Cooper or Graham Potter return nonsense.
@CB_1901: Very risky, but could get behind this
@CBobblers1878: Chelseas manager in 18 months unveiled.
@CharlieBarnicle: I like this a lot, very risky (and very Brighton) like but one I can see paying off big time, got much more to get behind with him than you would if they got Cooper or if Potter went back too
@FelixNb227469: He would be a perfect fit for Brighton. De Zerbi inspired build up in a 4-2-4. Very similar in possession principles. The differences are out of possession Hürzeler‘s press is not that aggressive as de Zerbi‘s. Instead he more often drops into a 5–2-3/5-4-1 mid block.
@Pascalgrossinho: Done some research on him, Fabian Hurzeler is a younger and better version of Glasner.
@VikingBlood25: I like it. It would be a perfect Brighton left-field appointment. Bring it on.
@ryanwalker170: Never heard of him perfect Brighton manager
@north_seagull: A very Brightonesque appointment took St Pauli from almost relegation candidates to promotion to the Bundesliga
@Albion_Nav: American-born and raised in Germany by a German father and a Swiss mother. Just about chaotic enough for a Brighton manager.
He won his first 10(!) games after he took over. Absolute monster.
— Owen (@owen_bhafc) June 6, 2024
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