Brighton fans are turning on Fabian Hurzeler as ‘questions are asked’ after Tottenham collapse
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is facing growing questions about his position at the Amex after a difficult start to the Premier League season.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that while there is no immediate pressure on Hurzeler, fans are growing unhappy.
Brighton’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham saw them throw away a two-goal lead and left them with just one win from their opening five Premier League fixtures.
The Seagulls have endured inconsistent results since his arrival at the club, with excellent wins against the likes of Man City and Liverpool overshadowed by defeats to Bournemouth and Everton.
Brown told Football Insider in April that sections of Brighton fans have grown impatient with Hurzeler and he is facing growing pressure as a result.
Fabian Hurzeler ‘will not be sacked’ by Brighton
Brown told Football Insider in June that Hurzeler was concerned about Brighton’s position amid transfer speculation surrounding some of the club’s key players.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience working closely alongside elite-level managers including Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson at Man United, insisted the boss must put together a run of results to ease growing concerns.
“It was a frustrating result for Brighton at the weekend,” he told Football Insider.
“If you’re throwing away two-goal leads at home, questions are going to be asked no matter who you are or what club you’re working for.
“I hear some of the fans aren’t particularly happy with the way things have been going lately because they’ve only won one game so far this season.
“I don’t think he’s going to be sacked any time soon, because they’re not in a bad position, but there’s no doubt they need to find a bit of consistency.
“Brighton have to ask themselves as well, what are they aiming for? Are they happy to stay in mid-table or do they want to go and get European qualification?
“At the moment, they’re not winning enough games consistently enough to challenge for the higher positions in the Premier League.
“I think that’s where some of the concerns from the fans are coming from, so if he wants to ease those concerns, he has to start winning games on a more regular basis.”
Hurzeler’s position is unlikely to be at risk, but with fans growing impatient and the team struggling to get wins over the line, questions are being asked.
Brighton transfers add to early season concerns
Brighton have been praised for their transfer activity on a regular basis, but concerns are emerging that losing some of their key players has dented their form.
Joao Pedro left the Seagulls to join Chelsea in the summer, while other key options including Simon Adingra, Pervis Estupinan and Julio Enciso were allowed to leave.
This came after Brown told Football Insider in June that Brighton are preparing for major sales amid interest in Enciso following a mixed loan spell with Ipswich Town.
However, there is a growing feeling that Hurzeler’s concerns about their departing players may now be proved right as a result of their stuttering form.
Brighton are not planning to part ways with the manager any time soon, and there have been no suggestions they could, but pressure is beginning to build.
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