Brighton & Hove Albion

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Bundesliga 2 expert Matthew Karagich says St Pauli supporters "are absolutely devastated" at the possibility of losing their manager Fabian Hurzeler to Brighton.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor, Karagich described the German manager's flexible style that helped them secure a return to the German top flight this season.

"St Pauli is not a club that is drowning in money," he said. "So what has helped is that Hurzeler is good at talent identification and development.

"He is very good at putting confidence in players.

"His flexibility reminds me more of Graham Potter than Roberto de Zerbi because he was quite fixed in what he wanted to do.

"He is very cool. For periods of the game he will just sit on the bench and observe, but then when he is on the touchline he is very animated. He has been known for having spirited discussions with the fourth official too!"

Succeeding De Zerbi, who brought European football to the club for the first time, will be difficult, but Karagich is confident Hurzeler will win the Seagulls fans over.

"St Pauli love him and not just because of the football results," he added. "It is because of the way he has integrated into the community. There was a game where he was suspended and he went in with the ultra group just because he could.

"If he is with a team then he is very much a 'this is my team' guy. The supporters are absolutely devastated at him possibly departing after such a short 18-month spell."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Brighton expect to announce Fabian Hurzeler, who guided St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga last month, as their new manager this week. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories and gossip? Read Tuesday's full column

Brighton have identified St Pauli boss Fabian Hurzeler as the leading contender to succeed Roberto de Zerbi as their manager.

We asked you whether the 31-year-old, who has only managed the German side in his career to date, is a gamble and what you think of the possible appointment.

Here are some of your replies:

Peter: Like 99% of fans, I had never heard of him before a week or so ago. But having looked at his record it seems clear that he is definitely an 'Albion' type of candidate in that he plays attractive, (and best of all) winning football in the style they have had over the past few years. Tony Bloom and Paul Barber know what they are doing!

Ali: As supporters we have a huge respect for Tony Bloom and Paul Barber to get the right man. It is not in Brighton's DNA to go and get someone on the merry-go-round of old names who are currently out of work. We choose young, innovative and exciting types of talent.

Norman: To quote some famous Match of the Day pundits - if he is good enough he is old enough! Bloom and Barber know what they are doing. As supporters, we trust them.

Martin: With the exception of Sami Hyypia, all the Brighton managers have been good appointments at the appropriate time and I think Hurzeler will be the same. We must remember this is a long-term project, though.

Jon: Bloom loves a gamble, but Herzeler could be a big risk at Premier league level. He might be good, but he is still learning his trade.

Norm: Brighton fans place their full trust in Bloom as he has the club in his heart - unlike the so called 'big six'. His judgement is invariably spot on and we continue to go from strength to strength. Yes, Hurzeler may well be a gamble but in Bloom we have one of the world's best gamblers who bases every decision on his own data analysis system.

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A Fabian Hurzeler side does not just want to beat other teams but "destroy" them, says Bundesliga 2 expert Matthew Karagich.

The German is looking increasingly likely to be Brighton's new manager following the departure of Roberto de Zerbi at the end of last season.

Currently in charge of newly promoted Bundesliga side St Pauli having taken them back to the top-flight for the first time in 13 years, Hurzeler is seen a good fit at the Amex.

"St Pauli are a very strong ball-playing team and that is one thing you will see from his teams - it is all about possessing the ball," Karagich told BBC Radio Sussex.

"You're looking at a team that will try and use its pace to get behind defences and create opportunities. The one thing that you can also add is that he likes his teams to be quite flexible.

"Sometimes they can be reactive, but very rarely is that the case. In most cases they like to dominate the game, be in control and have the foot-on-the-throat mantra. We don't want to just beat you, we want to destroy and that resembles the way he reacts on the touchline. He is very passionate."

Ex-Seagulls boss De Zerbi was known for his full-blooded displays on the touchline and a willingness to speak his mind. According to Karagich, fans could be in for more of the same from Hurzeler.

"When I was in Hannover watching the game against St Pauli, there was a period where I wasn't even watching what was going on on the pitch - I was just watching him," added Karagich.

"It's almost like ballet with the fourth official for about a quarter of the game. But he is someone who cares immensely about what is happening in the game. Some people will say 'oh, he is arrogant', but that is just his personality.

"He wants his teams to be what he is – passionate, caring, dominant, forceful and, more noticeably now, a winner."

More on BBC Sounds

BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor has been catching up with Bundesliga 2 expert Matthew Karagich about potential new Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler.

Hurzeler led St Pauli to the title in 2023-24 and Albion are locked in negotiations to secure him as the replacement for Roberto de Zerbi.

Karagich explains why the German boss is so popular with his current side's supporters.

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Fabian Hurzeler is the front runner for the vacant managerial role at Brighton, but who is he?

Hurzeler joined St Pauli in December 2022 and guided them to the Bundesliga 2 title last season by winning 20 out of their 34 matches. Their promotion means they will return to the German top flight for the first time in 13 years.

As a player, he grew up through the Bayern Munich youth ranks and became a midfielder at lower league German clubs, only to cut short his career at 23 to go into coaching.

Shaped by his time at Germany's biggest club, he found a role managing the German Under-20s and Under-18s before becoming assistant coach to Timo Schultz at St Pauli in 2020. He was handed the reins full time following Schultz's dismissal two-and-a-half years later.

Since then, Hurzeler has built a St Pauli side known for its possession-based style, as is now the custom at Amex Stadium. He first led the cult club to a fifth-placed finish during his initial six months in charge before clinching the league by a point last season.

Fiery, frank and compelling, his temperament draws the attention of the officials. Again, spot the similarities with the previous Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi.

If the 31-year-old was to be appointed, he would be the youngest permanent manager since the creation of the Premier League in 1992 - and seven years younger than the squad's senior statesman, James Milner.

Owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber have been leading the managerial search, which is now believed to be in its final stages.

The two clubs are in talks over Hurzeler and the Seagulls have already secured a work permit for him.

Is he too young? Would it be too soon? Brighton have consistently proved they know what they are doing.

Do you trust Bloom and Barber's judgement - or would this be too left-field an appointment?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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Brighton hope to complete the process of identifying a new manager at some point next week.

The club announced Roberto de Zerbi would be leaving on 18 May, since when they have been linked with numerous candidates.

BBC Sport understands that while some of the names were never under consideration, others are, including current Malmo boss Henrik Rydstrom, whose side are seven points clear at the top of the Swedish league, and 31-year-old US-born St Pauli coach Fabian Hurzeler, who guided his team to the German second division title last season.

Owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber have been leading the search, which is now in its final stages.

Even when a preferred choice emerges, there could be more time before Brighton are able to officially confirm an appointment, particularly if the manager is already at a club.

In addition to compensation, an overseas coach would need a Governing Body Endorsement.

Under the FA's GBE criteria for the 2024-25 season, the Swedish league is rated within the Band Five category and the German second division is in Band Four.

Barber told BBC Sport last month that he was "obsessive" about succession planning. It is understood the club had three or four targets which they have been getting background information on at the same time to try to minimise the inevitable risk that comes with a change of manager.

However, whilst there is no urgent need for an appointment given players are either on international duty or having a summer off, the imminent arrival of new head of medicine Florian Pfab from Eintracht Frankfurt and Gary Walker, formerly of Manchester United, who joins as head of performance following his exit from Major League Soccer outfit FC Cincinnati, means it would be helpful to have a manager appointed to ensure a joint transition.

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The 2023-24 Premier League season may have only just finished but there is only 10 weeks until the 2024-25 season is scheduled to start.

So what are the key dates that you need to know?

When does the season start and finish?

The 2024-25 Premier League campaign will get under way during the weekend of 17-18 August.

It will take place over 33 weekends, with four midweek rounds and one Bank Holiday matchweek.

To allow for a mid-August start, there will not be a 'winter break' this time around. However, to avoid Christmas and New Year fixture congestion, the league will give more rest time to sides over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match.

The final round of fixtures will be played on Sunday, 25 May 2025, with all games to kick off at the same time.

When are the fixtures released?

09:00 BST on Tuesday, 18 June.

We will have all the details here for your club as soon as the fixtures are released.

Sign up for news notifications to find out all the key fixtures

When does the transfer window open and close?

The summer window will officially open on Friday, 14 June, which also happens to be the start of Euro 2024, and will remain open until Friday, 30 August at 23:00 BST.

Transfer deadline day has been brought forward this year to be in line with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Follow your club page and make sure your notifications are on so you don't miss a transfer deal.

Brighton have put 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler on their next manager shortlist. The American-born coach guided St Pauli to promotion from Bundesliga 2 last season. (Telegraph, subscription required), external

Albion have held talks with former boss Graham Potter, 49, over a potential return as manager. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Brighton are still on the hunt for their next manager after Roberto de Zerbi's departure at the end of the 2023-24 season, but who would you like to see take charge of the Seagulls next season?

We have put together a list of rumoured contenders - make your selection here.

We asked for you for your thoughts on what Brighton's summer priority is.

Here is a selection of your responses:

Tim: The obvious one is a new manager as soon as possible. Whoever it is will need time to get to know the players and get the team playing how they want. The sooner that starts, the better. Keeping hold of Pascal Gross will also be key.

Bob: Above all else we need a manager. Once the manager is in place, he can assess what new players we need to fill gaps. Surely the club cannot buy new players before we have a manager?

Rob: Obviously the first thing is to get a manager and put the support staff in place. Then you can start the planning that flows from that. Potter is not the answer, anyone who abandons a club so early in the season is not a good choice. De Zerbi had the character to see the season out, and give his best before moving on.

Andy: Obviously the first priority has to be a quality and proven coach. Secondly is a striker of proven ability at this level, someone who can net us 20-plus goals in a season. We need to be aiming for Europe again next season, the taste we have had has made us greedy for more.

Daniel: After a dull end to last season, signing a new creative midfielder. Mac Allister was never replaced and a priority for next season has to fill that role.

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Midfielder Steven Alzate will leave Brighton when his contract expires at the end of June.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined in 2017 and made 72 appearances in all competitions.

His exit arrives as Albion disclosed their retained list for next season.

The major changes come within the club's under-21 squad. New contracts have been agreed with Benicio Baker-Boaitey, Joshua Duffus, Cam Peupion and Imari Samuels.

Jack Hinchy, Leigh Kavanagh, Brody Peart, Tommy Reid and Bailey Smith have been released.

The club summer is off and running, so what's the first thing that needs sorting out at Brighton?

Is it a contract, a transfer, a fan issue or something else?

Tell us here, external

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Brighton have announced they will face Queens Park Rangers in a pre-season friendly.

The Seagulls will take on the Championship side at Loftus Road on 3 August as part of their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign.

The last time Albion visited QPR was in the second tier in April 2017 when goals from Glenn Murray and Sebastien Pocognoli earned them a 2-1 win.

Before heading to Loftus Road, Brighton will undertake a pre-season tour of Japan in July where they will face J League sides Kashima Antlers and Tokyo Verdy.

Without a manager since Roberto de Zerbi left at the end of the season, the Seagulls will be looking to have a new coach in charge ready for the games.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is set to sign a new long-term contract despite interest from Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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How closely have you been paying attention to Albion's Premier League campaign?

Check out our Brighton quiz - and see if your knowledge is in order.

Try it now

For all the club Premier League quizzes, head here

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Brighton's Premier League campaign and inaugural season in Europe resulted in a high turnover of injuries.

A total of 43 separate injuries were recorded, which is the third-highest of any top-flight club.

Research conducted for more than 20 years by the Premier Injuries website, external suggests that the total number of individual injuries across the league, where a player missed at least one Premier League game, was the highest they had recorded.

Many players suffered more than one injury.

Of Roberto de Zerbi's 26-man squad, 21 were ruled out at some point in the season. That is only bettered by Tottenham who had 22.

A total of 1,727 combined days were lost to these injuries and in their worst-hit game week De Zerbi had nine players absent.

Read the full breakdown of injuries in the 2023-24 Premier League season

Brighton are confident of beating Chelsea in hiring Kieran McKenna but could try to bring back former manager Graham Potter if they fail to do so. (Times - subscription required), external

Stoke City's Souleymane Sidibe, 17, could be on the move this summer with Brighton, Chelsea, Monaco and Juventus interested in the French midfielder. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column