When Fabian Hurzeler took the reins at Brighton & Hove Albion, he declared his ambition to "challenge the establishment" of English football. Two seasons later, the question is whether he has delivered on that promise. "Last season we achieved a lot, perhaps not across every single match, but we certainly secured a number of memorable milestones," Hurzeler told Sky Sports, as Brighton prepared for only their second ever European campaign in club history. In just two years, the 33‑year‑old has overseen victories over the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, openly criticised Arsenal’s tactical approach under Mikel Arteta, engaged in high‑profile duels with Pep Guardiola, and accumulated a string of touchline bans.
Those incidents alone illustrate the impact he has had on the Premier League landscape. His fiery presence on the bench has become a hallmark of his proactive philosophy, helping Brighton secure back‑to‑back eighth‑place finishes. Yet that intensity has also landed him in trouble before – a reminder from his time at St Pauli, where he once racked up seven yellow cards before February of a season.
"That won’t change," Hurzeler said confidently. "I want to be a winner, I want to bring trophies to Brighton, and I want to achieve something special together with the fans." The upcoming UEFA Conference League, kicking off next month, offers the Seagulls a fresh avenue to turn recent progress into tangible silverware. While rivals Crystal Palace lifted the same trophy in May, Hurzeler stresses that the aim is not merely to copy them but to demonstrate that Brighton can compete on several fronts simultaneously. "We set very high standards for ourselves.
We want to deliver a season that the supporters will always remember, and we have to prove as a club that we can handle a heavy fixture list while still being successful," he explained. "We constantly talk about taking the next step, growing as an institution, and now we must prove we can achieve results without sacrificing our style or intensity." After a bustling transfer window that saw eleven new faces arrive and the departure of veterans such as Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke, Danny Welbeck and James Milner, Brighton now boast the fourth‑youngest squad in the Premier League. Hurzeler believes his own youth works to his advantage when it comes to extracting the best from these emerging talents. "I want to stay true to myself, I don’t want to play a role, and my age helps me relate to the players," he noted.
"I speak their language because not long ago I was in the dressing room myself. I may not have played at their level, but I understand their doubts, fears and aspirations." That empathy will be crucial as the club integrates another batch of promising signings, including centre‑back Luka Vuskovic, who proved a shrewd £50 million investment from Tottenham. Hurzeler trusts both the club’s recruitment model and his coaching staff to nurture these players and extract their potential. In the first three league matches of the new season, Brighton have recorded a win, a draw and a loss, yet they have created more clear‑cut chances (15) and posted a higher expected goals figure (7.4) than any other side.
Only Arsenal (24) and Manchester City (26) have taken fewer shots than Brighton’s 33. "It is now our duty to integrate these newcomers fully. They are here for a reason, and our recruitment system is among the best in the world, so they will soon show what they can do," Hurzeler asserted.
His appointment was initially a surprise after the dismissal of Roberto De Zerbi, but after two seasons he is no longer the unknown quantity that arrived in 2022. The rigours of the Premier League – facing world‑class managers and coping with the strain of a long campaign – have forged him into a more seasoned tactician. "I can say I’m a better manager now than I was before, not just because I learn from my mistakes but also because I constantly evaluate my decisions, my progress and my development," he said.
"I have an excellent backroom staff, great experts, and unwavering support from everyone around me." That reflective mindset was tested midway through last season when Brighton endured a run of just one win in 13 league games. Rather than pointing fingers, Hurzeler accepted full responsibility.
"I don’t go home blaming anyone else. If we lose, it’s on me. I review my choices, the training week, and I strive to improve after every match," he explained. "We turned the slump around by focusing on what we could control, keeping belief alive, and demanding more consistency from the players." His message was simple but vital for a club intent on shaking up the Premier League hierarchy: reliability matters, especially in the small, often decisive moments of each game.
"In this league you need reliability, you need to be excellent in the tight contests," Hurzeler emphasized. Committed to cementing that consistency, Hurzeler signed a new three‑year contract in May, a decision driven as much by his personal bond with the club as by its future prospects. "I see my future here, which is why I extended my deal.
From day one I felt part of a family. You don’t abandon family; you want to achieve together, you want the next step, you want the club to grow, and I want to be part of that journey," he said.
He remains convinced that the next chapter is within reach. "I still feel the journey is ongoing, we are in the middle of it, and we can accomplish great things," Hurzeler affirmed. "I have that belief, and now we must prove it on the pitch."