When Fabian Hurzeler took charge of Brighton & Hove Albion, his ambition was crystal clear: to "challenge the establishment" of English football. Two years later, the question is whether he has delivered on that promise. "Last season we proved we could do it, maybe not for the entire campaign, but we certainly achieved a lot of memorable moments," Hurzeler told Sky Sports, as Brighton prepared to embark on their second ever European adventure. The Seagulls have already etched their name on the continent by qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, a milestone that underscores the rapid progress made under the 33‑year‑old’s stewardship.
In just two Premier League seasons, Hurzeler has overseen victories over powerhouses such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, while not shying away from publicly critiquing Arsenal’s style and manager Mikel Arteta. He has also squared off against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and accumulated a string of touch‑line bans, a testament to his fiery temperament and willingness to confront the traditional elite.
His passion on the bench has become a hallmark of his proactive, high‑pressing philosophy, helping Brighton secure consecutive eighth‑place finishes – a feat that would have seemed ambitious a decade ago. Yet that same intensity has sometimes landed him in trouble.
During his earlier spell at St Pauli, he racked up seven yellow cards before February, a pattern that has continued in England. "That won’t change," he affirmed. "I want to be a winner, I want to win things for Brighton, I want to achieve something special together with the fans." The upcoming Conference League offers the club its first realistic shot at silverware.
While Crystal Palace lifted the trophy in May, Hurzeler’s focus is less about copying their achievement and more about proving that Brighton can compete on multiple fronts without compromising their identity. "We set high standards for ourselves. We want a season that our supporters will always remember, but we also need to prove we can handle a congested schedule and still be successful," he explained.
"We constantly talk about taking the next step, growing as a club, and we must now demonstrate that we can win while keeping our style and intensity intact." The squad has undergone a significant overhaul this summer. Eleven new faces have arrived, while long‑serving players such as Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke, Danny Welbeck and James Milner have departed. As a result, Brighton now boast the fourth‑youngest roster in the Premier League. Hurzeler believes his own relatively youthful age gives him an edge in communicating with these emerging talents.
"I want to be myself, not a caricature. My age helps me understand the players," he said.
"I still speak their language because I was in their shoes not long ago. I may not have played at their level, but I get their doubts, fears and ambitions." That empathy will be crucial as the Seagulls integrate another batch of promising signings, including centre‑back Luka Vuskovic, a £50 million acquisition from Tottenham who has already shown why he was worth the fee. Hurzeler trusts Brighton’s recruitment model – widely praised for its data‑driven approach – and relies on his coaching staff to extract the maximum from each newcomer.
In the opening three league games of the current season, Brighton have recorded a win, a draw and a loss. Despite the mixed results, they have created more clear‑cut chances (15) and posted a higher expected‑goals figure (7.4) than any other side, while only Arsenal (24) and Manchester City (26) have taken fewer shots than the Seagulls’ 33. "It’s now our responsibility to fully integrate these players.
They are here for a reason, and we have proved in the past that we possess one of the best recruitment systems in world football. Their potential is there, and they will show it," Hurzeler asserted.
When Hurzeler was appointed, replacing Roberto De Zerbi, many saw him as a surprise choice and a relative unknown. Two seasons on, he is no longer the mystery manager who arrived in the summer of 2022. The rigours of the Premier League – facing the world’s elite managers and coping with the pressure of a long campaign – have shaped his approach. Yet when setbacks arise, he looks inward rather than pointing fingers elsewhere.
"I can say I’m a better manager now than I was before, not just because I learn from my mistakes, but because I constantly evaluate my decisions, my progress and my development," he explained. "I have an excellent team around me – great staff, experts, and supportive personalities – which helps me grow." That philosophy was put to the test midway through last season, when Brighton endured a run of just one win in 13 league fixtures. Rather than scapegoating, Hurzeler accepted full responsibility.
"I don’t go home and blame others. If we lose, it’s on me. I reflect on my choices, on the training week, and I strive to improve after every match," he said. He believes the turnaround came from focusing on controllable factors, maintaining belief, and demanding greater reliability from his players.
The lesson was simple yet vital for a club attempting to upset the Premier League hierarchy: consistency in the small moments is essential. "In this league you need reliability, you need to win the little battles," Hurzeler noted. Committed to delivering that consistency, Hurzeler signed a new three‑year contract in May, a decision driven as much by his bond with the club as by its potential. "I see my future here, which is why I extended my deal.
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.
He remains convinced that the next chapter is within reach. "I still feel the journey isn’t over, we’re in the middle of it and we can achieve great things," Hurzeler affirmed. "I have that belief, and now we have to prove it on the pitch."