Rory Smith Highlights Brighton’s Courageous and Assured Approach

Rory Smith, chief soccer correspondent for The New York Times, discussed Brighton’s strong start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler during an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. Smith remarked: “The appointment itself was incredibly brave. If you look back, to say that Brighton, a top-10 Premier League club, were going to appoint a 31-year-old manager… it’s not that long ago that English football wouldn’t really have been ready for that idea, and he would have been chased out in about three weeks.” Smith emphasized the importance of Hurzeler’s initial performance, stating: “He needed a good start. It would have been difficult for him if Brighton had got off to a rocky start and there would have been questions around the club about whether he was too inexperienced.” Contrasting Hurzeler with his predecessor, Roberto De Zerbi, Smith observed: “He wasn’t like [Roberto] De Zerbi, who had managed in the Champions League when he came to Brighton. He had Serie A experience. Hurzeler hadn’t and was unusually young.” Despite Hurzeler’s lack of prior experience, Smith highlighted his adaptation and Brighton’s backing: “But the way he’s taken to it has been remarkable, and he has had a lot of support from Brighton. I think they and Manchester United spent more than any other team in Europe, which is a big commitment for Brighton. Most of it was spent on young talent from unusual places.” Smith concluded by commending Brighton’s operational philosophy: “Brighton have a courage in the way that they work, but also they have a certainty. I think we underestimate how remarkable it is that Brighton are up there again because we’ve got so used to seeing Brighton in the top 10. It should still be impressive to see Brighton in the top 10 of the Premier League.”