Brighton's 'soon-to-be-appointed manager' younger than six first-team players

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 09 June 2024

Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly closing in on the appointment of a 31-year-old head coach who is younger than six first-team players at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly on the verge of appointing Fabian Hurzeler as their new head coach.

The Seagulls have been on the lookout for a new first-team boss since Roberto De Zerbi mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

De Zerbi spent just under two years in charge of Brighton, and after memorably guiding the club to their highest-ever Premier League finish (sixth) in 2022-23, securing European football for the first time in the club's history, they could only finish 11th in the top flight last season.

Chairman and owner Tony Bloom, CEO Paul Barber and technical director David Weir have been at the heart of Brighton's search for a new manager and they were initially linked with a possible reunion with Graham Potter.

However, talks with the former Chelsea boss failed to bear fruit and the Seagulls hierarchy have since turned their attention to a surprise appointment.

St Pauli coach Fabian Hurzeler before the match on December 1, 2023 © Reuters

Brighton step up pursuit of Hurzeler

Recent reports have stated that Brighton have added St Pauli head coach Hurzeler and Malmo boss Henrik Rydstrom to their final managerial shortlist, but it now appears that the former has been the man chosen to succeed De Zerbi.

According to multiple reports, including one from The Telegraph, Brighton are in advanced talks with St Pauli over the appointment of Hurzeler after securing a work permit for the 31-year-old.

It is understood that a full agreement is yet to be reached between all parties at this stage, but it seems increasingly likely that Hurzeler will make the switch to the Amex Stadium.

If Brighton were to appoint Hurzeler, he would become the youngest manager in Premier League history.

Hurzeler is also younger that six current Seagulls players, including veteran midfielder James Milner who at 38 is seven years older than the German coach.

Danny Welbeck, Jason Steele, both 33, Pascal Gross, Joel Veltman and Lewis Dunk, all 32, are also older than Hurzeler, while 36-year-old Adam Lallana is leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of this month.

St Pauli coach Fabian Hurzeler before the match on April 21, 2023 © Reuters

Brighton's data-led analysis identifies Hurzeler

Brighton have established themselves as a well-run club since gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2016 and have reacted well to the departure of players and managers by identifying shrewd replacements.

Amid reported interest in De Zerbi's services from top European clubs, CEO Barber stated at the end of last year that Brighton will be "prepared" for the Italian's departure, and their data-led analysis in searching for a successor has resulted in their pursuit of Hurzeler.

The highly-rated coach was born in Texas, but he is the son of a Swiss father and German mother, and his brief playing career in the lower divisions of German football ended at the age of just 23.

Following spells as an assistant coach with Germany's Under-18s and Under-20s, Hurzeler was appointed St Pauli's youngest-ever head coach in 2022, aged 29, and was awarded his UEFA Pro Licence four months later.

Hurzeler has won 36 of his 55 matches in charge of St Pauli and guided the club to promotion to the Bundesliga last season - ending the club's 13-year hiatus from the top flight - after winning the second-tier title.