Don’t you just love it when Glenn Murray talks about Brighton? The second-highest top scorer in Albion history has tipped Fabian Hurzeler to lead the Seagulls back to Europe within the next two seasons.
Murray told 10bet that he believed a top 10 finish would be a good achievement for the current campaign, followed by being genuine contenders for the top six in 2025-26.
A summer of major upheaval started with an acrimonious parting of the ways between Brighton and Roberto De Zerbi. Hurzeler took over, becoming The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History.
He is also one of the least experienced, having only spent 18 months as a head coach with St Pauli in Bundesliga 2 prior to his appointment by the Seagulls.
Tony Bloom then sanctioned a £193 million spending spree. At the same time, the Albion bid farewell to De Zerbi regulars Pascal Gross and Billy Gilmour. It was very much a new-look Brighton playing under a new way under a new coaching team.
Given all the changes, results have unsurprisingly been inconsistent. The Seagulls have done the double over Manchester United and also beaten Spurs, Newcastle United and Manchester City.
On the flip side, they have dropped points against Ipswich Town, Wolves, Southampton, Leicester City and most troubling of all, were humiliated 3-1 at home by Crystal Palace.
Murray though believes that all of that will stand a young Albion squad – and their head coach – in good stead for the future.
“It’s a really young group, bags and bags of potential, and I’m really excited to see where they go, said Murray.
“They can be frustrating sometimes, they’ve dropped points from winning positions this season, but I think the important thing is that they’ve managed to take the lead in games.”
“Maybe you can question their game management slightly. But I think after a summer where they spent north of almost £200 million, you’ve got to look at it from the point of view that Brighton never really buy the finished product. They’re always looking to develop a player.”
“They beat their own personal records of spending in the summer transfer window. It’s going to take time for all those guys to get used to playing in the Premier League. A lot of them have come from different leagues, leagues that aren’t anywhere near as good as the Premier League.”
“It takes time to get used to the pace and the power of it, the relentlessness of the Premier League week in, week out. Also getting used to a different culture, getting used to living in England.”
“Everyone’s different. Some people find their feet really quickly and their attributes suit the league immediately whereas others take a little bit more time.”
“I think it’s important to look at Brighton and just think they’re in a really good moment and yes, they can be frustrating. They can also be breath taking at times, but it’s a process and they can only get better.”
And Murray believes that process can result in European football returning to the Amex in the not-too-distant future: “I think the club always wants to try and better itself as every football club does.”
“I think a top 10 finish would be acceptable this year. Obviously, without doubt, getting into Europe is kind of a dream again to be able to get there.”
De Zerbi gave Seagulls supporters their first taste of Europe, delivering unforgettable nights such as a last minute winner against Marseille and beating Ajax in Amsterdam.
Having had their appetites wetted, fans certainly want more. And it appears Bloom does too. When talkSPORT revealed in February last year that Brighton were set to open their chequebook like never before in the summer, they also reported the spending spree was because Bloom wants to establish the Albion as regular competitors for Europe.
Bloom is a patient man. He – and most Brighton fans – would probably agree with Murray’s assessment that 2025-26 is when Brighton should be primed for another European push.
“I think there’ll probably be in a better place to do that next year when there’s been less movement at the football club,” said Murray.
“What did they bring in? Seven players, a new manager, a new coaching staff. That’s a lot of change for people to get used to and settle into, including the manager side of it.”
“Next year, they’ll be more primed and more probably expectant to get into Europe… but I’m not ruling it out this season either.”
