Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the record-breaking appointment of Fabian Hurzeler as their new head coach.
Hurzeler has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Seagulls until June 2027 and at the age of just 31 becomes the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history.
Following a thorough data-led analysis carried out by chairman and owner Tony Bloom, CEO Paul Barber and technical director David Weir, Brighton have identified Hurzeler as their preferred managerial target to succeed Roberto De Zerbi, who mutually departed the club last month.
Brighton have confirmed that as soon as Hurzeler's work permit has been processed, the German will begin work "straight away" at the club ahead of the squad returning for pre-season preparations in July.
Hurzeler joins Brighton after guiding German second-tier side St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga after winning the 2.Bundesliga title in 2023-24.
Willkommen, Fabian! 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/imAofKYGM0
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 15, 2024
Hurzeler "relishing" Premier League opportunity with Brighton
"I am absolutely thrilled to be the new head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion," Hurzeler told the club's official website.
"After speaking to Tony [Bloom], Paul [Barber] and David [Weir], it was clear that they are highly ambitious. The club has a unique history and bold vision for the future, so I am truly excited to be part of the project.
"The club has made incredible progress over the last few seasons and the aim is to continue building on that success. I am relishing the opportunity to coach in the Premier League, and I can't wait to meet the players, staff and, of course, the fans."
Commenting on the appointment of Hurzeler, Bloom said: "From the start of the process to appoint our new head coach, Fabian was always a standout candidate and one who had caught our attention with his exceptional work at St Pauli over the past eighteen months.
"He has a style of play that aligns with how we want a Brighton & Hove Albion team to play, and I'm confident it is one our supporters will appreciate and enjoy.
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Hurzeler "one of the most innovative coaches working in football"
"Fabian also has an excellent coaching pedigree and has worked with the German federation at various age group levels. We are really excited to start working with Fabian to prepare for the upcoming season."
Barber added: "Away from the pressure of the regular season, we have taken our time to get this appointment right and are delighted to have agreed with Fabian to become our new head coach.
"He has already shown in a relatively short space of time as a head coach that he is one of the most innovative coaches working in football, and we are looking forward to getting ready for next season."
Weir continued: "We will work closely with Fabian to help him settle in, and to get to know the club, staff and the area.
"Fabian already has an excellent knowledge of our squad and players, and we will be working to strengthen an already very strong squad during the transfer window.
"We will confirm all of Fabian's immediate backroom 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."
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Hurzeler identified after St Pauli success
Hurzeler's appointment is a statement one from Brighton considering that the German had never been in charge of a first-team club before he took the reins at St Pauli in December 2022.
Nevertheless, Hurzeler has made quite the impression in his fledgling coaching career and departs St Pauli after winning 36 of his 55 matches in charge over an 18-month period.
Hurzeler, who was born in Texas to a Swiss father and German mother, cut his playing career short at the age of just 23 to concentrate on coaching and has since developed into one of the most exciting prospects in German football.
The youngster will take over a Brighton squad that includes six players older than himself, including 38-year-old James Milner.
Danny Welbeck, Jason Steele, both 33, Pascal Gross, Joel Veltman and Lewis Dunk, all 32, are also older than Hurzeler, who inherits a squad that finished 11th in the Premier League last season.
Brighton have confirmed that Hurzeler will be unveiled to the media at a press conference, attended by Bloom, Barber, and Weir, at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre training facility on July 2, 2024.
Oliver Thomas
