There is renewed optimism in the seaside air after Fabian Hürzeler became the Premier League’s youngest permanent manager since Roberto Diaz. St. Pauli led to promotion to the Bundesliga last season. The 31-year-old seems like a smart choice to step into the shoes of the enigmatic Italian.
De Zerbi’s historic achievements in two seasons included a shock spell against new employers Marseille and helped Brighton reach the last 16 of the Europa League, but after an injury-hit 11th, his tenure was disappointing and it felt like the time was right for both sides. Hürzeler’s task is to build a squad capable of going beyond them, despite matching their sixth-place finish from 2022-23. Kaoru Mitoma’s return from injury is crucial to their chances after the Japan forward missed the final three months of last season with a back problem. New arrivals Ibrahim Osman and Yankuba Minteh are capable of adding firepower to a squad that already features Simon Adingra and João Pedro.
Brighton’s real problems may lie in midfield; They could sell club stalwart Pascal Gross and lose Billy Gilmour. Hürzeler hopes £25m Netherlands international Mats Wieffer will provide support for rising star Carlos Baleba. Not having to deal with the extra demands of European football should make it easier, and Brighton fans will be confident that their eighth successive Premier League season can be another one to remember.
Hürzeler, who was born in the US and grew up in Munich, is a Swiss national who was seven years younger than club member James Milner, but after 18 months at St Pauli, Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber suggested his career path could be much more exciting. Hürzeler, who usually uses a 3-4-3 attack that emphasizes possession, described Brighton’s data-driven approach as “the perfect match” After De Zerbi’s frequent outbursts, Brighton fans should be inclined to pick up yellow cards, and for an owner who likes to keep his cards close to his chest, Tony Bloom has a unique take on the principles of profitability and sustainability. “It’s better if we don’t put the Premier League in a situation where teams need to cut points,” Hürzeler said when he was appointed at the start of July. Bloom has invested more than £400m in his beloved club since 2007 and his astute ownership, which earned a Premier League record £122m profit last year, means Brighton have no chance of incurring any sanctions at present. Fans will be encouraged to spend more than £75m this summer and use some of that profit to improve their club.
“I believe in Carlos,” said De Zerbi of Baleba after February’s 1-1 draw with Everton. “I’m sure he can become one of the best players in the Premier League in the future.”A few weeks earlier, the 20-year-old Cameroonian midfielder had been told by his manager that Brighton’s thinly veiled policy of signing promising young players was “not ready for the Premier League” and Baleba was replaced by Moisés Caicedo from Lille last summer, arriving in France 18 months early from his first club in Cameroon, where he initially tried to lure De Zerbi. Despite his struggles, there was no denying Baleba’s progress in the second half of his first Premier League season, already making his international debut in June.
There seemed to be only one option for Brighton’s pre-season tour and that was Mitoma’s star quality, with the club’s website displaying the captain’s armband in their 4-2 win over Tokyo Verdy.”There’s a lot of demand for him.” Hürzeler said he wants to go home and make all the appearances he’s going to make, and hopes Mitomer, who has previously attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, is still not fully fit but will be fully fit for the new season.
Louis Dunk has been a valuable member of the squad off the pitch despite being off the bench as England reach the Euro 2024 finals. More action is in store for Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, despite likely missing the start of the season through injury. Brighton’s South American Jeremy Samiento, who played on loan at West Brom and Ipswich last season, scored for Ecuador in the Copa America group stage and Argentina in the quarter-finals. Julio was defeated by a penalty shootout. Enciso’s Paraguay team failed to reach the knockout stages. Enciso then traveled to the Olympics where they lost to Egypt on penalties in the quarterfinals.
