Fabian Hurzeler has finally been confirmed as Brighton’s new manager, replacing Roberto De Zerbi.
The 31-year-old is the youngest Premier League coach of all time and led St. Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga last season.
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The Pitch Prospect have reported that the American-born German coach was considered the Seagulls’ biggest target and had held talks with Graham Potter about a return to the Amex Stadium.
After receiving rave reviews in Germany, Hurzeler can’t wait to start working on the south coast, which he will do as soon as his work permit is processed.
After signing a three-year contract, he told the club’s website: “I am delighted to be the new head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion.”
“After speaking to Tony, Paul and David, it was clear that they are very ambitious.
“The club has a unique history and a bold vision for the future, so I am really excited to be part of the project.
“The club has made incredible progress in recent seasons and the aim is to continue to build on this success.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to coach in the Premier League and can’t wait to get to know the players, the staff and of course the fans.”
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom added: “From the outset of the process to appoint our new head coach, Fabian was always a standout candidate and someone who caught our attention with his exceptional work at St. Pauli over the last eighteen months.”
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“His style of play is what we expect from Brighton & Hove Albion and I am confident our fans will appreciate and enjoy him.
“Fabian also has excellent coaching experience and has worked for the German Football Association at various age group levels.
“We are very excited to work with Fabian and prepare for the upcoming season.”
Meanwhile, Technical Director David Weir commented: “We will work closely with Fabian to help him settle in and familiarise him with the club, the staff and the area.
“Fabian already knows our squad and our players very well and we will work during the transfer period to strengthen an already very strong squad.
“We will confirm all of Fabian’s immediate support staff in due course, although Andrew Crofts and Jack Stern will be part of that coaching group as first-team coach and goalkeeping coach respectively.”
Hurzeler will be officially presented to the media at a press conference at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre training ground in Brighton on July 2nd.
Hurzeler, who is compared to Julian Nagelsmann, previously worked as an assistant coach for the German U18 and U20 teams.
After four years at the German amateur club FC Pipinsried, Hurzeler became assistant coach of FC St. Pauli in 2020 before succeeding Timo Schultz in December 2022.
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He took over the helm of a club that was in danger of being relegated to Germany’s third division and led it to fifth place after ten wins in the first ten games.
And he capped off a remarkable 18 months by masterminding St. Pauli’s return to the top flight after a 13-year absence, having won the second Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season.