The 2024/25 Premier League season will bring many changes, as all 20 clubs – except perhaps Liverpool – were active in the transfer market throughout August 2024.
But alongside the excitement of new faces on the pitch, there was also some news on the sidelines as coaches come and go amid the chaos of the coaching rollercoaster in England’s top flight.
Brighton & Hove Albion have made rapid changes following the departure of Robert De Zerbi at the end of the 2023/24 season and continue their policy of signing young, highly rated coaches.
Texas-born Fabian Hurzeler has now taken over the reins at the AMEX Stadium. The 31-year-old is causing a stir as he is the youngest current manager in the Premier League.
MORE: Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorers rankings
The youngest coaches in Premier League history
Aged 31 at the time of his appointment, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is the youngest manager in the history of the English Premier League, at least among those who have been permanently hired by their club.
However, if you also take the interim coaches into account, the German-American coach ranks second on the Premier League’s most recent coaching list. Ryan Mason holds the record after taking over as interim manager of Tottenham in 2021 at the age of 29.
List of youngest managers in EPL history
The following list includes both permanent managers and interim/caretaker hires.
| manager | Old | Year | Association |
| Ryan Mason | 29 years, 312 days | 2021 | Tottenham |
| Fabian Hurzelzer | 31 years, 173 days | 2024 | Brighton |
| Attilo Lombardo | 32 years, 67 days | 1998 | Crystal Palace |
| Chris Coleman | 32 years, 312 days | 2003 | Fulham |
| Gianluca Vialli | 33 years, 227 days | 1998 | Chelsea |
| André Villas-Boas | 33 years, 301 days | 2011 | Chelsea |
| Ruud Gullit | 33 years, 352 days | 1996 | Chelsea |
| Kevin MacDonald | 34 years, 1 day | 1994 | Leicester City |
| Alex Neil | 34, 60d | 2015 | Norwich City |
| Stuart Pearce | 34, 241d | 1996 | Nottingham Forest |
Who is Fabian Hurzeler?
Premier League fans would be forgiven for not knowing too much about Hurzeler after a year and a half as coach of German second division side St. Pauli. After being promoted from assistant coach to succeed Timo Schultz midway through the 2022/23 season, Hurzeler rescued the team from relegation danger and led the team back to the Bundesliga for the first time since 2011 a year later.
This ability to make the most of his resources and give St. Pauli a chance to compete with the big boys played a key role in Brighton’s decision to sign him.
You can read more about Hurzeler’s career and playing style here.
