LIVERPOOL: Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler insisted he would stay “humble” after the Premier League’s youngest manager marked his debut with a 3-0 victory at Everton on Saturday.
Aged 31 years and 173 days, Hurzeler is the youngest permanent boss in Premier League history following his arrival from St. Pauli to replace Roberto De Zerbi in the close-season.
The German is the first manager to be born after the Premier League started in 1992 and is seven years younger than Brighton midfielder James Milner.
Despite his tender years in comparison to his Premier League peers, Hurzeler made a flying start as 10-man Everton were brushed aside at Goodison Park.
Goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra fired Brighton, while Everton were hampered by Ashley Young’s red card.
“I’m very happy, it’s a good start but nothing more and it’s important to stay humble after this,” Hurzeler said.
“It’s a very good feeling but I don’t want to talk about myself, the players deserved this. They worked hard in pre-season and I’m very proud of them.”
Hurzeler became the youngest head coach in the German second tier when he was hired by St. Pauli aged 29 in December 2022.
He hauled the club away from the relegation zone and led them to promotion to the Bundesliga last season, catching the eye of Brighton owner Tony Bloom in the process.
Texas-born Hurzeler holds German, Swiss and American citizenship, but he already appears at home with the club from England’s south-coast.
“It was a good result, very intense. In some moments we suffered but after a time we tried to control the game, had good chances, then went 1-0 up,” Hurzeler said.
“In the end the clean sheet was important and we showed attitude and character.”
Hurzeler’s biggest issue was handling the disappointment of new signing Yankuba Minteh, who was causing Everton problems before a head injury forced him off in the first half against his wishes.
“He was disappointed but in the end we are disappointed for the player and can’t take any risks, the health of the player is more important and we were responsible for that,” the Seagulls boss said.
“We have to keep looking at him and how he reacts. I am confident he will be back next week. He had a great impact but I judge my offensive players on how they work off the ball.”
Brighton’s ‘humble’ Hurzeler makes instant impact as Premier League’s youngest boss
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Brighton’s ‘humble’ Hurzeler makes instant impact as Premier League’s youngest boss
- Aged 31 years and 173 days, Hurzeler is the youngest permanent boss in Premier League history following his arrival from St. Pauli
- The German is the first manager to be born after the Premier League started in 1992 and is seven years younger than Brighton midfielder James Milner
Mbappé equals ‘idol’ Ronaldo with his record 59th goal in a year for Real Madrid
- “It’s incredible, in my first (full) year to do what Cristiano did. (He’s) my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappé said
BARCELONA, Spain: Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025 on Saturday to equal the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s final game of the year.
Mbappé matched Ronaldo’s tally from 2013 on his 27th birthday. After embracing his teammates, he marked the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration — whereby the Portugal forward leaps up and thrusts his arms downwards upon landing — before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.
“It’s incredible, in my first (full) year to do what Cristiano did. (He’s) my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappé said.
“My celebration is for him. I wanted to do that because he helped me adapt here and now I can help Madrid win games with my goals. I wanted to share it with him. I have a really good relationship with him, he is my friend, and I wish him and all Madrid fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left.
Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda also was expelled by the referee during the halftime break apparently for protesting.
Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a run of bad results and the overall lackluster play of his star-studded side. Spanish sports media is rife with speculation the first-year coach could be replaced.
Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to ponder the team’s future before its next game against Real Betis on Jan. 4.
Alonso could have ill afforded another slip at the Santiago Bernabeu after his side lost its previous two games. But Madrid’s fans still had reason to grumble after Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances — even after being reduced to 10 men.
Alexis Sánchez, still spry at age 37, and right back Juanlu Sánchez stood out the most for a Sevilla side that poked holes in Madrid’s defense.
Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to deny Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González on four strikes in the second half. But Sevilla could have gone ahead if it had just showed more finishing touch early on.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
Madrid is in second place at one point behind Barcelona before the leader visits third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
