United States-born Fabian Hurzeler has become the youngest permanent head coach in Premier League history, following his appointment to the role at Brighton.
Hurzeler, 31, joins from German side St. Pauli, who he guided to the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence this season.
He has signed a three-year contract with Brighton and will begin working as soon as his work permit is cleared.
“From the start of the process to appoint our new head coach, Fabian was always a standout candidate and one who had caught our attention with his exceptional work at St Pauli over the past 18 months,” Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said.
“He has a style of play that aligns with how we want a Brighton & Hove Albion team to play, and I’m confident it is one our supporters will appreciate and enjoy.
“Fabian also has an excellent coaching pedigree and has worked with the German federation at various age group levels. We are really excited to start working with Fabian to prepare for the upcoming season.”
Brighton’s statement announcing Hurzeler’s appointment said he will be officially unveiled at a news conference on July 2.
Hurzeler, who was born in Houston, Texas to a Swiss father and German mother, had spells as the assistant coach of the Germany under-18 and under-20 sides before taking charge of St.Pauli midway through the 2022-2023 season.
The club were languishing near the relegation spots when Hurzeler took over, but under his stewardship they finished a respectable fifth.
The following year — Hurzeler’s first full season as manager — ended with St.Pauli lifting the 2.Bundesliga title on the final day of the season.
He replaces Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton, who left the south coast club at the end of the season following a year-and-a-half spell at the club.
