Brighton is on the verge of appointing the youngest manager in Premier League history, potentially widening the age gap between a player and a coach to new extremes.
Fabian Hurzeler has emerged as the top choice for Brighton to succeed Roberto De Zerbi, who left the club after nearly two years in charge at the end of the previous season. Hurzeler, currently coaching FC St. Pauli, would make history as the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history at just 31 years old, surpassing the current record holder who was 32 years and seven months old when he took charge of his first Premier League game.
Additionally, Hurzeler’s appointment would extend the age gap between him and some of Brighton’s senior players. Born in February 1993, Hurzeler is younger than seven members of Brighton’s current first-team squad, including notable names like Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, and Danny Welbeck.
If Hurzeler does take charge and features James Milner, who signed a one-year contract extension in May, it would mark the largest age difference between a player and manager in Premier League history, spanning seven years and one month.
These scenarios highlight the unusual dynamics that arise when a manager is younger than some of the players on the team, a situation previously experienced by managers like Glenn Hoddle at Chelsea, Gianluca Vialli also at Chelsea, Paul Jewell at Bradford, Chris Coleman at Fulham, Aidy Boothroyd at Watford, Roberto Martinez at Wigan, and Andre Villas-Boas at both Chelsea and Tottenham.
