Brighton & Hove Albion prepare to host rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday sitting third in the Premier League, capping a dramatic turnaround under manager Fabian Hurzeler just eight months after supporters called for his dismissal.
The German coach was booed and subjected to chants of being sacked in the morning following a 1-0 home loss to Palace in February, which left Brighton 14th in the table with one victory in 12 league matches. Since that low point, Hurzeler has overseen 11 wins in 18 top-flight games, including victories over defending champions Arsenal and Europa League winners Aston Villa, alongside a recent win at Sunderland.
Hurzeler, who became the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history when appointed in June 2024 at age 31, was backed by the club's board with a contract running to 2029 and £150 million to spend in the summer transfer window. His recent form has returned Brighton to European competition and prompted reports of interest from Manchester United.
"Hurzeler has come out the other side and the way he has got this group of players performing is exceptional," former Brighton striker Glenn Murray said of the recovery from last season's poor run.
Hurzeler's coaching path began in 2016 at the age of 23, when repeated injuries ended his playing career with the reserve teams of Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim and 1860 Munich. He accepted a player-manager role at German fifth-tier club Pipinsried, supplementing his income by working for an art dealer until he was dismissed for spending too much time watching football matches.
Born in Houston, Texas, before moving to Germany at age two, Hurzeler later guided St Pauli back to the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence before replacing Roberto de Zerbi at Brighton. His tenure in England has weathered difficult results, including a 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and a 4-2 loss at Chelsea, before he adjusted his tactics toward an intense pressing approach.
"Leaving the stadium after losing at home to Palace, the only conversation fans were having was: 'he has got to go'," said Scott McCarthy of the We Are Brighton supporters site. "It's totally different now. It's worked out phenomenally." Brighton host Palace at the Amex Stadium on Sunday at 14:00 BST.
