When Fabian Hurzeler took over as Brighton & Hove Albion's head coach, he declared his ambition to "challenge the establishment" and shake up the status quo of English football. Two years later, the German tactician can look back on a period that has already produced a number of headline‑making moments, and the question now is whether he can convert those moments into tangible silverware. In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Hurzeler reflected on the progress the club has made since his arrival. "Last season we achieved a lot – maybe not every single match, but we certainly collected a string of memorable victories and milestones," he said, noting that Brighton are about to embark on only their second European campaign in the club's history.
The upcoming UEFA Conference League, which kicks off next month, offers a fresh arena for the Seagulls to test their mettle against continental opposition and perhaps bring home a trophy. Hurzeler's tenure has already been marked by a series of high‑profile results.
Brighton have managed to outplay traditional powerhouses such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, while also taking aim at the playing philosophy of Arsenal and its manager Mikel Arteta. The coach has not shied away from confronting the likes of Pep Guardiola, and his fiery demeanor on the touchline has earned him a series of disciplinary sanctions, including multiple bans. Yet those incidents are hardly new to a manager who, during his spell at St Pauli, once amassed seven yellow cards before February of a single season. "That won't change," Hurzeler affirmed.
"I want to be a winner, I want to win things for Brighton, and I want to achieve something special together with the fans." His passion in the dugout has become a hallmark of a proactive, high‑pressing style that has consistently secured eighth‑place finishes in the Premier League. While success has come, it has also brought scrutiny, especially when the team has struggled to maintain consistency over a grueling campaign. The Conference League represents more than just an extra set of fixtures; it is a chance for Brighton to translate their recent upward trajectory into a tangible piece of hardware.
The club watched nearby rivals Crystal Palace lift the same trophy in May, a moment that underscored the realistic nature of the goal. For Hurzeler, however, the objective is not merely to match Palace but to demonstrate that Brighton can compete on multiple fronts without sacrificing their identity.
"We set high standards for ourselves. We want to create a season that our supporters will always remember, and we have to prove as a club that we can handle a heavy schedule while still delivering success," he explained. "We constantly talk about taking the next step, growing as an institution, and we must now show that we can be successful without losing our style and intensity." A major factor in this evolution is the composition of the squad. After a bustling summer transfer window that saw eleven new faces arrive and several veterans depart—including long‑serving players such as Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke, Danny Welbeck and James Milner—Brighton now boast the fourth‑youngest lineup in the Premier League.
Hurzeler believes his own relatively young age gives him an advantage in communicating with this cohort. "I want to be myself, not a caricature, and my age helps me relate to the players," he said. "I speak their language because I was in their shoes not long ago.
I may not have played at their level, but I understand their doubts, fears and aspirations." That empathy will be crucial as Brighton integrate another wave of promising talent. Central defender Luka Vuskovic, signed for a reported £50 million from Tottenham, has already shown why the club's scouting network is regarded as one of the best in the world. Hurzeler trusts both the recruitment model and his coaching staff to unlock the potential of these newcomers.
Early signs are promising. In the first three league matches of the new season, Brighton have recorded a win, a draw and a loss, but they have created more clear‑cut chances (15) and boasted a higher expected goals figure (7.4) than any other side. Only Arsenal (24) and Manchester City (26) have attempted fewer shots (33), highlighting Brighton's willingness to attack. "It is now our duty to fully integrate these players.
They are here for a reason, and our recruitment system has consistently delivered quality. They will show what they can do," Hurzeler asserted.
When he was appointed, replacing Roberto De Zerbi, Hurzeler was seen as a surprise choice. Two seasons on, he is no longer the unknown quantity that arrived in the summer of 2022. The rigours of the Premier League—facing elite managers, coping with the pressure of a long campaign, and navigating inevitable setbacks—have shaped his managerial philosophy. "I can say I'm a better manager now than I was before, not only because I reflect on my mistakes but also on my decisions, my progress and my development," he explained.
"I have great staff, experts, and support from everyone around me, and that collective strength helps me improve." That reflective approach was put to the test last season when Brighton endured a dismal run of just one win in 13 league games. Rather than pointing fingers, Hurzeler took full responsibility. "I don't go home and blame others.
If we lose, it's on me. I review my decisions, the training week, and I try to get better after every match," he said. "We turned the run around by focusing on what we could control, keeping belief alive, and demanding greater reliability from the players." The lesson was simple but profound: success in the Premier League hinges on consistency and the ability to win the small battles.
"In the Premier League you need reliability, you need to be very good in the little matches," Hurzeler emphasized. His commitment to building that consistency was cemented with a new three‑year contract signed in May. The decision was driven as much by his personal bond with the club as by its ambitions.
"I see my future here, which is why I extended my contract. From day one I felt part of a family.
You don't leave your family; you want to achieve something together, take the next step and grow as a club. I want to be part of that journey," he said. Looking ahead, Hurzeler remains confident that Brighton are still on an upward trajectory.
"I still feel the journey is far from over. We are in the middle of a great adventure and we can achieve remarkable things. I have that belief, and now we have to prove it on the pitch," he concluded. Brighton's fans can look forward to an exciting season, with the Conference League offering a realistic chance of bringing home a trophy for the first time in the club's modern era.
As the Seagulls prepare to take flight, Hurzeler's blend of youthful empathy, tactical boldness and unwavering self‑accountability may well be the formula that finally sees them lift silverware and cement their place among England's elite clubs.