Fabian Hurzeler arrived at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre for his first press conference as Brighton head coach. And all anyone could talk about was his hair.
Or at least that is what it felt like. Comparisons were made between the Texas-born German and a LEGO man. He shared an uncanny resemblance to Jim Carey’s character in Dumb and Dumber.
Fingers crossed there will be no Dumb and Dumber reference rearing its head again later in the campaign after a 3-0 home defeat to Southampton or something.
Less attention was given to what Fabian Hurzeler actually said as he met the media alongside Brighton chairman Tony Bloom, chief executive Paul Barber OBE and technical director David Weir.
Which is why we have watched back the entire press conference to highlight the key points. Watched back with eyes shut, obviously. Otherwise you just end up distracted by the haircut.
Young man but not a young coach
Hurzeler’s age was predictably one of the main talking points. In case you didn’t know, at 31 he is the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history.
“My age is a big topic,” Hurzeler said in acknowledgement. But he then pointed out he is not young in terms of experience, having decided to take up coaching aged 23.
“I am a young man but I am not a young coach. I call myself the friendly authority. Football is my passion. I try to convince my players using the power of ideas. They need to be convinced – they need to feel what we can achieve. That’s the main thing for me.”
Hurzeler’s point being that his age will not matter if the players buy into his philosophy and what he wants to do. Hopefully one of them will also whip him down to Boundary Road for a fresh trim.
Challenge the establishment
When Hurzeler was asked what his aims for 2024-25 were, he would not be drawn on specifics. Do not expect to see him offering a return to the top six as an Albion football prediction on Mrfixitstip or saying Brighton could go and win the FA Cup under his management.
Hurzeler instead talked about challenging the establishment and having Brighton outperform bigger clubs with greater resources. Something he did in spectacular fashion when leading St Pauli with their mid table budget to the Bundesliga 2 title last season.
With Hurzeler, you get a sense of humbleness compared with the brash determination of Roberto De Zerbi who wanted to win every game and challenge for every trophy.
De Zerbi’s burning desire for success and his demand to get there as quick as possible ultimately led to the disagreements over transfer policy which caused his departure.
Hurzeler seems to have a better grasp of where the Albion are and where they are trying to go. Slow, steady, sustainable progress.
It was a viewpoint reinforced when Barber was asked about the new head coach. “Humble, smart, intelligent and a great communicator,” was how he described Hurzeler, undoubtedly hoping that Brighton had a manager who would not cross the board’s red line of public criticism as De Zerbi did.
Fabian Hurzeler one of several coaches Brighton considered
Barber also talked about the recruitment process which led Brighton to appoint Fabian Hurzeler. Whereas the club were always publicly adamant De Zerbi was their one and only choice to replace Glow Up Graham Potter, Barber said this time around a number of candidates were considered.
“It was a little bit different to when Graham Potter left. That was a much more condensed process. We had time this time and we took it to consider three to four candidates. Fabian emerged as the outstanding one,” Barber told Sky Sports News in an interview after the press conference.
This would appear confirm the rumours that did the rounds over Brighton wanting Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. McKenna opted to stay with the Tractor Boys; a decision made via a mix of admirable loyalty rarely seen in modern day football and a big, fat new contract.
It also adds credence to the club considering a potential return for Potter. The mind genuinely boggles over how they would have attempted to smooth that over with supporters.
Coaching team
Despite the players being back for pre-season training imminently, a coaching team around Hurzeler is still yet to be put in place.
The new head coach spoke briefly about this. Andrew Crofts will remain as first team coach and Jack Stern as goalkeeper coach.
Hurzeler will bring in his own assistant – expected to be Jonas Scheuermann from Augsburg according to Andy Naylor – and St Pauli goalkeeper coach Marco Knoop to work alongside Stern.
Praise for De Zerbi – but Hurzeler will be his own man
Alongside Hurzeler’s age, footballing philosophy was the other hot topic of the press conference. How would he build on what De Zerbi achieved at the Albion and a style of play which – with a fully fit squad – tore up the Premier League during the first 12 months of DeZerbiBall?
“Roberto De Zerbi had a huge impact on the whole football world but I have my own philosophy. Roberto’s team played with a lot of courage in ball possession, but you can’t copy anyone.”
“You have to have your own identity, your own philosophy. I think it is also important to take some elements and always adapt it. If you stay at one point, you won’t do well any more.”
Bloom says appointing Hurzeler is not a gamble
To most of the football world, Brighton appointing a 31-year-old who has never managed higher than the second tier of German football looks like a gamble.
Bloom doesn’t see it that way. “I wouldn’t talk about it as a gamble at all. We look at everything, we put a lot of effort into the appointment of any head coach like other clubs do.”
“We think Fabian is the best fit for the football club. He’s the least risk option we had. Our fans, players and the whole city should be very excited about this appointment.”
Time will tell if Bloom is right. But first impressions of Hurzeler are of a relaxed bloke, a good communicator and somebody who looks like he could be a lot of fun.
He just needs to sort that haircut out.
