Brighton & Hove Albion could be about to break an all-time Premier league record by appointing a new manager.
Brighton are currently looking for a new manager after the surprise departure of Roberto De Zerbi at the end of the season.
The Italian coach replaced Graham Potter in 2022 and guided the Seagulls to a highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth.
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Brighton announced De Zerbi's exit by mutual consent before the final day of the season, but they have still not appointed a successor.
The club have been patient in finding the right coach, and it now appears that the process is nearing its conclusion.
One of the candidates is St Pauli manager Fabian Hurzeler, who is just 31 years old. If appointed then he would become the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history.
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Ryan Mason is technically the youngest ever Premier League boss at 29, but he only took temporary charge of Tottenham following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho in 2021.
This season Hurzeler guided St Pauli to the 2. Bundesliga title and promotion to the Bundesliga after 13 years outside Germany's top flight.
He became St Pauli's youngest-ever coach when he was appointed in 2022 aged 29, and he only received his UEFA Pro License last April aged 30.
Hurzeler - who was born in Texas, USA and played in the lower divisions of German football - has reportedly made Brighton's final shortlist along with Malmo boss Henrik Rydstrom and former manager Potter.
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According to The Telegraph, all three candidates score highly on Brighton's data model of being able to work with and develop young talent.
Brighton's hiring process has reportedly been delayed by doubts about the likelihood of gaining work permits for either Hurzeler or Rydstrom.
Potter has been out of a job since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023.
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Topics: Brighton And Hove Albion, Roberto De Zerbi, Graham Potter, Premier League, Football
Alex Brotherton