Fabian Hurzeler’s rise from art dealer to Brighton’s youngest-ever Premier League manager

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has gone from being booed by his own supporters to leading the club into the Premier League’s top three, with his recovery from a difficult spell putting him among Europe’s most talked-about young coaches. [1]

Crystal Palace visit the Amex Stadium on Sunday, with Brighton third after wins over Arsenal and Aston Villa. The turnaround follows a February defeat by Palace that left Brighton 14th after one win in 12 league matches. Hurzeler was jeered and heard chants calling for his dismissal. [1]

Since then, Brighton have won 11 of their past 18 top-flight games. Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray told BBC Sport that the manager had come through the poor run and was getting the squad to perform “exceptionally”. [1]

Hurzeler was appointed in June 2024, aged 31, becoming the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history. Before joining Brighton, he coached St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence. His coaching career began in Germany’s fifth tier, where he took a player-manager role at Pipinsried aged 23. [1]

To supplement his income at the village club, Hurzeler worked for an art dealer, selling paintings to wealthy Bavarians. He later said he was sacked because he spent too much time watching football. In a 2024 interview, he compared selling art with coaching: both, he said, required understanding what mattered to the person in front of you. [1]

His Brighton tenure has included setbacks: the team lost 7-0 at Nottingham Forest, and supporters questioned his decisions during last season’s slump. Scott McCarthy, from the We Are Brighton fan site, said Hurzeler responded by relying on experienced players and adapting his approach. He described the team now as one that “presses insanely”. [1]

Hurzeler signed a new long-term contract before the end of last season. The BBC reports that he has since been linked with Manchester United, but the source offers no confirmation of an approach or that he is considering leaving Brighton. [1]