Brighton might but safe Champions League soccer – and few might argue that Fabian Hurzeler wouldn’t deserve it.
The Seagulls at present sit in seventh place and look good for a return to European soccer subsequent season.
However Brighton might earn a seat on the very high desk, with Champions League soccer nonetheless a chance with two video games remaining.
If Aston Villa win the Europa League and end fifth within the Premier League – they appear effectively positioned for each – then six Champions League locations can be up for grabs.
Brighton are at present seventh, two factors behind Bournemouth in sixth. Each are in high-quality kind, however the Cherries have Manchester Metropolis to play of their remaining two video games with Pep Guardiola’s males nonetheless chasing the title.
The Seagulls, although, face Leeds United, who’re already protected, and a Manchester United aspect assured of third place.
Ending within the high six and the next rewards can be apt for Brighton since that’s the place Hurzeler has had the Seagulls since he took over.
Eyebrows had been raised when the German turned the youngest ever everlasting Premier League supervisor in the summertime of 2024.
Roberto De Zerbi appeared set to be a tricky act to comply with, particularly for a supervisor youthful than most of the senior gamers he was inheriting.
James Milner was 38; Danny Welbeck 33 and captain Lewis Dunk was 15 months older than Hurzeler when the supervisor was employed from St Pauli, the place he led the Hamburg-based group to the Bundesliga.2 title.
Hurzeler, although, has helped Brighton progress even additional, maybe all the best way to the Champions League.
The Premier League desk since he took over has Brighton in sixth place, solely 4 factors behind Chelsea.
That’s the identical Chelsea who’ve spent a billion and a half since 2022, with Brighton trousering virtually £300million having offered a lot of their finest gamers to the Blues in addition to Graham Potter, the supervisor De Zerbi changed.
Throughout his reign to this point, Hurzeler can also be out-performing Eddie Howe at Newcastle, Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth and, within the Premier League, Oliver Glasner at Palace.
But Hurzeler doesn’t get linked with the identical alternatives the others do. After all, time is on his aspect and Brighton have moved to insulate themselves by extending Hurzeler’s contract to 2029. By which level, he’ll nonetheless solely be 36.
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TRY A QUIZ: Are you able to identify each supervisor to succeed in a Champions League remaining since 2000?
