Fabian Hurzeler tipped to succeed Guardiola at Manchester City
Fabian Hurzeler has not even completed a season at Brighton and already he is being tipped to move onto one of the European Super League Elite Six – namely Manchester City.
The boots of Pep Guardiola will be big ones to fill when the shiny bonced Spaniard decides to leave the great Abu Dhabi Sportswashing Project.
Guardiola has won during six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, three Community Shields, one Champions League, one Super Cup and one Club World Cup in nine seasons at the Etihad Stadium.
Although each of those titles needs an asterisks next to it thanks the 115 charges of breaking profit and sustainability rules City have been hit with.
If and when a decision is ever made over their guilt, City could be stripped of some of those trophies. As for Guardiola, he has constantly muddied the waters over what the Citizens being found guilty would mean for his future.
Guardiola initially said he would leave City if any financial breaches were proven. In November 2024, his tune changed after signing a new contract running through to 2026. Guardiola instead vowed to remain at the Etihad – even if City were demoted to the Conference.
Whenever and however Guardiola chooses to depart, former Manchester City and Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamman believes Hurzeler the ideal candidate to take over.
Speaking to Best Betting Sites, Hamman said: “I would like to think that if Pep Guardiola does go that he will have quite a big say (in his replacement). They will certainly ask who he thinks is a manager for Manchester City.”
“If you look at the Premier League, obviously the Brighton manager has been doing well, even though he’s dropped off for a bit, but they seem to have come back again.”
“Whoever follows Guardiola, it doesn’t matter which manager, it will be almost impossible to replicate. We’ve seen how difficult it can be when a legacy or a legendary manager departs football club.”
“Normally it takes time for that manager to find their feet. Manchester United when Fergie left and Arsenal when Wenger left are the two prime examples.
“Liverpool actually struggled to find someone who wanted to take over. Quite a few managers didn’t fancy the challenge of following in Klopp’s footsteps and turned down the opportunity.”
“That’s another reason why Arne Slot deserves so much credit for what he has done this season at the club.”
Hurzeler has enjoyed an interesting first season as Brighton head coach. He oversaw the Albion’s heaviest league defeat since 1958 when losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest.
Two goals leads were squandered with 10 minutes remaining against both Wolves and Leicester City.
But in amongst those horror shows, Brighton have taken 10 points from 12 from the two Manchester club, gone undefeated against Arsenal, beaten Chelsea twice and Spurs once.
What has been most impressive about The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History is the manner in which he has learned and adapted following each setback.
Since the Shambles at the City Ground, Brighton have gone seven games unbeaten. Six wins in a row through that sequence have put the Albion in the race for Champions League football and the quarter finals of the FA Cup.
Unlike managers with a set philosophy who are unwilling or unable to change, Hurzeler has proven himself adaptable. Part of that is due to his age (did you know he is only 32?) and relative inexperience.
His ideas have not fully formed yet, unlike a manager who has been in the game for a decade and has a firm belief in what has brought them success in the past.
But it is also appears to be partly down to who Hurzeler is as a person. His adaptability is his biggest strength and has allowed him to improve at astonishing speed through his eight months in English football.
If he continues to get better at the rate he has this season, the sky looks the limit. Even before you take into the account the potential history Hurzeler could make by the end of 2024-25 at Brighton, such as a top five finish or reaching the FA Cup final.
Hurzeler should certainly be aiming for his next job after Brighton to be higher than League Two, which is hopefully where Manchester City end up.
