Brighton make Premier League history after confirming choice for new manager

Brighton have made history after naming Fabian Hurzeler as their new manager, with the 31-year-old replacing Roberto De Zerbi.

Hurzeler has become the youngest Premier League manager ever and several of Brighton's senior players, including James Milner, Danny Welbeck and captain Lewis Dunk, are older than him.

The previous record holder was Chris Coleman, who was 32 when he took charge of Fulham back in 2003, while Ryan Mason was just 29 when he took interim charge of Tottenham after Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2021.

Hurzeler said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be the new head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion. “After speaking to Tony, Paul and David, 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.”

Chairman Tony Bloom added: “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. 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.”

Born in America, Hurzeler has impressed as manager of St Pauli and guided them to the Bundesliga 2 title last season. Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was the early frontrunner to replace De Zerbi, but he ultimately signed a new deal to remain at Portman Road.

brighton make premier league history after confirming choice for new manager

Roberto De Zerbi

De Zerbi left Brighton at the end of last season, having spent two years in charge at the Amex Stadium. "I am very sad to be leaving Brighton, but I am very proud of what my players and staff have achieved with the support of everyone at the club and our amazing fans in the past two historical seasons," he said.

"We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions, as well as our work and human values.

"I have really enjoyed an intense and challenging two years working in the Premier League , not least competing in four major competitions this season. Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

OTHER NEWS

9 minutes ago

‘The Bikeriders’ roars into view with vivid performances

9 minutes ago

Trump’s dangerous attacks on rule of law have US historical precedents

9 minutes ago

Premier League should issue warning over negative effects of fantasy football, researchers suggest

9 minutes ago

Davante Adams names Patriots legend as the 'greatest' WR of all time

9 minutes ago

Dinosaur with horns for eyebrows and 200 teeth discovered

9 minutes ago

7-year-old boy shot dead outside his front door in Chicago: 'Unbearable'

9 minutes ago

USMNT's Weston McKennie: Leeds loan was lowest career point

9 minutes ago

Kevin Costner on 'Bodyguard' sequel starring Princess Diana that never was

9 minutes ago

Ex-Stanford HC David Shaw joins Broncos' front office

9 minutes ago

Superstar swimmer Leon Marchand suffers ‘blurred vision’ ahead of bizarre Olympic double

9 minutes ago

Jack Draper shocks Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz with straight-sets win at Queen’s Club

9 minutes ago

Sainsbury’s offloads most of its banking arm to NatWest

9 minutes ago

Three names to watch in Detroit Pistons coach, James Borrego tops targets

9 minutes ago

Football regulator 'won't be good' - Ratcliffe

9 minutes ago

WHO issues warning about fake weight loss and diabetes drugs

9 minutes ago

All the best fashion from Ladies’ Day at Ascot

9 minutes ago

The Bikeriders review: Tom Hardy and Austin Butler lead a tough, tender American tragedy

9 minutes ago

BBC boss left squirming after awkward Mrs Brown’s Boys question

12 minutes ago

‘MasterChef South Africa’: Where to watch season five

12 minutes ago

2024 Fantasy Football Draft Prep: Chicago Bears player outlooks, schedule, depth chart and more to know

12 minutes ago

‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ Chandler Kinney Talks Closing The Season As Millwood’s Final Final Girl

12 minutes ago

Universal Shares First Details Of Epic Universe Lands: Super Nintendo, How To Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter & More At New Orlando Theme Park

12 minutes ago

Dark Universe Revealed: New World At Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Will Include Werewolf Coaster & Frankenstein’s Experiment Gone Awry

12 minutes ago

‘A Murder at the End of the World’ Creators Brit Marling & Zal Batmanglij  Partner With Sister

12 minutes ago

Riz Ahmed & Ben Karlin Teaming On Amazon Comedy Series About Struggling Actor

12 minutes ago

Travis Knight To Direct Animated Adaptation Of Susanna Clarke’s Bestseller ‘Piranesi’ For Laika

12 minutes ago

Reggie Watts Sets Veeps Launch For New Comedy Special ‘Never Mind’

13 minutes ago

Video: Whistleblower nurse claims FBI turned up at her door and threatened her after she accused America's largest children's hospital of illegally giving kids free sex change operations

13 minutes ago

Video: The blue collar industry that's booming across the country - and even provides training to help achieve a major life milestone

13 minutes ago

Video: Horror at Ohio theme park Kings Island as man is hit by rollercoaster

13 minutes ago

Video: Royal Ascot Ladies Day revellers show off their wacky, gravity-defying hats as they soak up the sun

13 minutes ago

Hilarious moment MLB fan tries to show off MASSIVE $33 hot dog in the bleachers... only to drop it on the unsuspecting man in front of her!

13 minutes ago

Red Bull 'considering bombshell NBA bid to bring a new franchise to LAS VEGAS'

13 minutes ago

Top Catholic school once attended by Tony Blair's daughter closed for three days and counting after continuing police stand off with man on the roof

15 minutes ago

'Where did all the character go?' A love letter to the old King's Cross

15 minutes ago

8 Best Center Targets For The Los Angeles Lakers

15 minutes ago

New Louisiana law requires display of Ten Commandments in classrooms, civil rights groups plan to challenge

15 minutes ago

Jack Smith Moves to Bolster Evidence Against Donald Trump

15 minutes ago

WFH does NOT make you more productive, major study reveals

15 minutes ago

Journalist Sally Hayden on the plight of refugees and migrants trapped in Libya