FC St. Pauli experiences coach departure, sets new settlement record
Fabian Hürzeler departs from Bundesliga squad FC St. Pauli and takes the head-coaching role at Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion, effective immediately. Reports suggest a hefty transfer fee is on the table for Hürzeler, making him the most expensive departure in the club's history if confirmed.
Promotion to goodbye: The transfer of coach Fabian Hürzeler from Bundesliga squad FC St. Pauli to English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion is set. Both clubs have confirmed the arrangement, with rumors of a 7.5 million Euro transfer fee plus bonuses. As the 31-year-old Hürzeler becomes the most expensive departure in the club's history, no German coach has left for a higher price abroad yet.
Brighton's commercial director Tony Bloom stated, "From the outset, Fabian was one of the standout candidates. His remarkable work at St. Pauli caught our attention." Hürzeler himself expressed gratitude towards St. Pauli "for the time we've shared and what we've accomplished together." With the move to the Premier League, Hürzeler realizes a long-held dream. St. Pauli remains undecided on a successor as of Saturday.
At 31 years old, Hürzeler becomes the youngest coach in the history of the Premier League. He signed a three-year contract with Brighton, lasting until 2027, and replaces Italian Roberto De Zerbi at the 11th place team of the previous season. The youngest coach of the upcoming Bundesliga season will be Nuri Sahin at Borussia Dortmund.
Since December 2022, Hürzeler has served as head coach at St. Pauli. The Texas native, who also possesses German and Swiss citizenship, won 36 out of 55 league games and suffered only eight losses. Under Hürzeler's leadership, the Brown-Whites returned to the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence in the previous season.
Read also:
Despite Fabian Hürzeler's successful tenure with FC St. Pauli, his departure for the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion marks a significant shift in German soccer. Conversely, the English club gains a young and talented coach, setting a new record for transfer fees in the process.
