Roberto De Zerbi’s resignation from Brighton prior to their final game of last season against Manchester United was unexpected, but the decision could work well for both parties.
The Italian took charge following Graham Potter’s departure in September 2022, leading the Seagulls to a stunning sixth place finish, qualifying for the Europa League in the process.
It was hardly surprising that after this excellent start, clubs such as Bayern Munich and Man United were keen on securing his services.
The 2023/24 campaign saw Brighton drop five places, finishing 11th, while they registered 14 fewer points than the season prior.
Call it second season syndrome, call it affected by persistent rumours linking him with a move away, but De Zerbi’s magic had clearly worn off. As such, a new manager had to be found.
It didn’t take long. Fabian Hürzeler was appointed on a three-year deal midway through June. The German becomes the youngest ever permanent manager in Premier League history aged just 31.
But why Hürzeler? what makes a 31-year-old with just 18 months of full time management behind him the ideal choice for a club with plenty to prove in the upcoming season?
Fabian Hürzeler’s journey into management
The American-born coach has been hailed as the ‘next Julian Nagelsmann’ which isn’t a shock considering how alike their respective journeys into top level management have been.
Like the current Germany coach, Hürzeler was a promising player during the early stages of his career, and like Nagelsmann, the new Brighton manager retired early to focus on a career on the touchline.
His retirement was voluntary, unlike the former Bayern Munich coach, who suffered a career ending injury.
The 31-year-old played in the same Bayern reserve side as Emre Can and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, yet failed to progress out of this level, slipping down to the fourth and fifth tiers in the German football pyramid.
A taste for the managerial aspect started during the 2016/17 campaign as he was the inspiration behind Pipinsried’s promotion to the fourth tier as a player-manager.
Retirement came in 2016, but it wasn’t until 2020, when he was appointed as one of Timo Schultz’s assistant coaches at St. Pauli, that the opportunity arrived to contribute within a professional club environment.
Being an assistant clearly wasn’t the end goal, yet Hürzeler’s step into the managerial breach came much quicker than anticipated.
In December 2022, after winning just four games out of 17, St. Pauli sacked Schultz and promoted Hürzeler to the top job, something which proved to be one of the best decisions the club have made in their recent history.
How Fabian Hürzeler guided St. Pauli back to the Bundesliga
The German won the first ten matches in charge of the club, steering them away from the relegation places and to within six points of promotion to the top tier.
Their form petered out in the end, finishing in fifth spot, but the building blocks had been put in place ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The last time St. Pauli played a match in the Bundesliga was 2011, a run that Hürzeler was keen on ending in his first full season of club management.
The 31-year-old deployed a fluid 3-4-3 formation when his team had the ball, utilising the abilities of forwards Johannes Eggestein and Oladapo Afolayan, who scored nine goals each in the second tier.
The shining light was Marcel Hartel, who netted 17 times for the club throughout the season from the heart of the midfield, adding a further 12 assists, proving to be a major threat due to his bursting runs forward into the final third.
Indeed, the midfielder ranked first among the squad for goals (0.52) and xG per 90 (0.4) while also creating the most chances (94), further evidence of his attacking qualities.
St. Pauli registered the most shots on goal during their league title winning season, although it was the shoring up of the defensive area which was the real reason behind their promotion.
Without the ball, Hürzeler’s side moved to a 5-2-3 formation, meaning they conceded just 36 goals in 34 matches. This balance of effective attacking output supplemented by a well drilled defensive unit meant the club were deserving winners of the second tier title, securing a spot in the Bundesliga for the first time in 13 years.
Hürzeler was perhaps a surprise replacement for De Zerbi. Tony Bloom has enjoyed plenty of success with his last few managerial appointments. Will the German be the man to take the Seagulls to the next level?
Can Fabian Hürzeler lead Brighton back into Europe next season?
The former St. Pauli manager is certainly inheriting a talented squad. Bart Verbruggen impressed at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands while midfielders Billy Gilmour, Carlos Baleba and Mats Wieffer all have the tactical attributes to shine under the tutelage of the 31-year-old.
Evan Ferguson and João Pedro scored 26 goals between them last season and the new manager will be able to count upon the likes of Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra to contribute effectively in the final third, registering 18 goal contributions in the Premier League alone throughout 2023/24.
Despite this plethora of youthful attacking talent, Brighton were just the 12th best attacking side in the top flight last term (and ninth in terms of xG), showing there are plenty signs for improvement.
It won’t be easy but securing a top eight finish should be the goal for Hürzeler, especially as it would solidify his growing reputation in the game.
The pressure of the job meant things got stale for De Zerbi towards the end of his spell in charge of Brighton. Hürzeler will certainly bring a more youthful approach to things considering he is seven years younger than Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, the second youngest coach in the league.
If the gamble pays off, Brighton could turn into one of the most exciting sides to watch in England next season. Watch this space.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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