Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler on Balancing Instinct and Strategy in the Premier League

In a recent exclusive interview with Flashscore, a website that provides Live Soccer Scores for football fans, Brighton & Hove Albion’s manager Fabian Hürzeler shed light on what it takes to lead a team in one of the world’s toughest football leagues, the Premier League. Since taking over as head coach, Hürzeler has faced the immense challenge of competing in a highly unpredictable and fiercely competitive environment, where each game presents unique tactical hurdles.

The Data-Driven Approach to Scouting

After replacing Roberto De Zerbi in the summer of 2024, Hürzeler quickly set about molding his Brighton team in line with the club's ongoing data-driven policy. Brighton deviates from conventional scouting, using data to identify global talent. They then assess the player's personality before making a move. Over the last few transfer windows, Brighton have signed the likes of Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra, and Kaoru Mitoma from relatively untouched markets—something Hürzeler has been impressed with.

Hürzeler praised Brighton's unique scouting process, driven by data. "Owner Tony Bloom's data-focused approach is key to strengthening our team while maintaining trust in our existing players," he explained. "Owner Tony Bloom, however, wanted to strengthen himself in certain areas. He then uses data and a certain algorithm to scout for the players he is looking for. A Zoom call or meeting is then organized with the player who has the data he is looking for. We want to get to know his character because he not only has to fit into the team in terms of football but also as a person."

That transfer policy has continued since Hürzeler's arrival, with Brighton spending a reported £192m on signings over the summer. The Seagulls have once again targeted young players from left field such as Yankuba Minteh, Malick Yalcouye, Ibrahim Osman, and Brajan Gruda while also supplementing those signings with more established players in the form of Georginio Rutter, Matt O'Riley, and Mats Wieffer; although none of their arrivals are older than 24.

Despite having to get used to the big spending, Hürzeler has a positive outlook on Brighton's business and their long-term plan for the young additions to the squad. "You have to see that they were all very young players who came from another league," he said. "The Premier League is the best league in the world and the players need time. Time to adapt and get to know the league. It will take a while until the players can bring their full potential onto the pitch. We have to introduce them slowly; I am glad that the owner made these transfers. Of course, these sums are surreal for me too.

"Compared to St. Pauli, it was something completely different. But I am not someone who hides behind it or puts artificial pressure on myself because we spent so much. I am someone who also has ambitions and who probably puts the most pressure on myself. That is why these sums do not put additional pressure on me."

Balancing Experience with Youth in the Squad

While Brighton's summer business was geared around recruiting young players, their squad still contains plenty of experience. Lewis Dunk, James Milner, and Danny Welbeck have amassed over 1,000 Premier League games between them and all three are older than Hürzeler. That sort of dynamic is largely unheard of in football but does have its benefits, with Hürzeler leaning on the more experienced heads to aid his management of the side.

After a strong start to the campaign, Brighton will need those experienced heads for a tough upcoming run of fixtures. The south coast club face Newcastle, Wolves, Liverpool, and Manchester City in four of their next five Premier League matches, which represents quite the challenge for Hürzeler and his players—although the German isn't too worried. "Every game in the Premier League is challenging," he said. "There are always different challenges. Of course, there are a lot of big names. But I don't think we have to hide from any of the big names. We obviously respect every opponent. But I think we have the potential to beat opponents like that."

Instinct and Adaptability in Tactical Decisions

A key aspect of his approach to management is his reliance on a balance between modern data analytics and his own intuition. While data is critical in making informed decisions, Hürzeler shared that "it's your gut that often decides the right move." His instinct has often guided him in making key tactical adjustments and selecting players based on their strengths in the moment, which has proven essential in maintaining Brighton’s flexibility on the pitch.

Another central theme of Hürzeler’s leadership is the creation of a positive team culture. He emphasized the importance of open communication and mutual respect within the squad, ensuring that every player feels valued and understands their role. This strong team spirit has been a driving force behind Brighton’s ability to outperform more established Premier League sides, showing that teamwork and cohesion often trump individual brilliance.

Adaptability is also critical in Hürzeler’s coaching philosophy. He stressed that the Premier League’s dynamic nature requires constant tactical adjustments. "Being flexible as a coach is vital," he said, explaining that no two matches are the same, and what worked one week may need to be adjusted in the next.

As the season continues, Hürzeler remains optimistic about Brighton’s prospects, confident that his team’s resilience and adaptability will see them continue to compete at the highest level.