Hurzeler Reflects on Brighton’s Victory Over Manchester United: “Emotional, Not Euphoric”

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler maintained a grounded perspective following his team’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, despite the significance of the result. While the victory at the Amex Stadium was certainly a positive start to the season, Hurzeler emphasized that his focus remains on steady progress rather than celebratory euphoria.

The match had its share of drama, particularly when Manchester United thought they had equalized. Joshua Zirkzee’s unfortunate slip led to a bizarre sequence where Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was disallowed for offside, after it inadvertently struck Zirkzee, who had not yet crossed the goal line.

Despite the close call, Hurzeler’s Brighton side showed that the transition from former manager Roberto De Zerbi to the young German coach has been seamless. The 31-year-old Hurzeler, who joined from St Pauli, has quickly made an impact, guiding Brighton to a strong start with a victory over Everton at Goodison Park and now a win against Manchester United.

When asked about the victory, Hurzeler remained measured in his response. “No, it is not a surprise,” he said. “There are some great characters here. It is a community and like a family. Everyone is buying into it.”

Hurzeler highlighted his approach to management, focusing on building upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessor rather than making sweeping changes. “My job is about building on the foundations of the last three years, because the success the club has had in that time is massive. That is why I didn’t change a lot of things. I am just trying to integrate with my team and give the club the success they deserve.”

Brighton’s strong start to the season suggests that Hurzeler’s approach is paying off, and while the young manager may not be getting carried away with early successes, he is certainly steering the team in the right direction.