When the 24-25 season kicked off, there was real uncertainty surrounding Brighton & Hove Albion. The club had parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi, who made his way to Marseille. The charismatic tactician had guided Brighton to European football for the first time in the club’s history, cementing his era of attacking football in the history books.

His replacement was Fabian Hürzeler, a name that many Seagulls fans were unfamiliar with, but not for long. At just 31, the German coach became the youngest manager in Premier League history, and perhaps fittingly, the season that ensued was defined by youth, promise, and the learning curves of a side in transition.

Hürzeler brought a methodology honed in the German leagues with him: a structured approach focusing on controlled possession, discipline, and pressing with purpose. The Brighton side bought in quickly; early signs were promising and positive results trickled in. It felt like there was a calm, clinical confidence within the team, and they appeared more disciplined than ever.

The season was not a linear rise, however, and was punctuated by highs that stirred dreams of Europe again, with lows reminding Albion fans that progress is not without setbacks, a recurring theme in the club’s history. There was a mid-season slump, with a particularly harsh 7-0 loss to in-form Nottingham Forest showing the team was still very much in transition.

The team definitely refocused after the shocking scoreline, and rather than losing confidence, they gained it. The following weeks saw a shift in execution: the defensive line tightened, with a more aggressive midfield complementing it, and Hürzeler would not be defeated by the slump.

Brighton finished their campaign with 61 points and ended up 8th. Their final day saw a 4-1 dismantling of Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex, one of their most complete performances of the season. The whole stadium was in great spirits, celebrating a good season; however, hopes of European qualification were dashed by results elsewhere. Brighton fans will be hoping space opens up through the potential European ban of Crystal Palace, their rivals, who won their first-ever FA Cup to qualify.

Central to Brighton’s season was João Pedro, in his most complete campaign for the Seagulls. The Brazilian scored eight goals and added six assists. He was the perfect player for Hürzeler’s attacking vision until a mysterious absence late in the campaign saw him miss crucial games against Liverpool and Spurs after a reported training ground fallout with defender Jan Paul van Hecke. He also served a three-game suspension before this and missed a total of five games. Both sides have remained silent on the incident, and rumours point to an exit for the star striker.

In his absence, others carried the team through the important spell. Players like Kaoru Mitoma had good spells during the season, with his trademark dribbling proving difficult for the league to handle as usual. However, his season would not match his previous one, with injuries and international duty getting in the way. The Japanese winger still grabbed seven

goals and created the most chances for his side. Danny Welbeck proved he was still deadly up front. The 34-year-old scored seven goals of his own and remained a reliable presence for Brighton, regardless of starting or coming off the bench.

Arguably one of Brighton’s most talented players ever, Pascal Groß departed for Borussia Dortmund to the heartbreak of the fans. The 33-year-old was keen to play for the German giants and left a void in midfield. New signing Mat Wieffer anchored the midfield with authority. His ability to dictate tempo and shield the back four gave Brighton a completely new quality in big games.

Shifting to defence, Van Hecke continued his emergence as a top-class centre back. Solid in the air and composed on the ball and in defence, his partnership with the equally solid Igor proved quality. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen came into his own this season, proving his worth as the first choice and registering six clean sheets. His skills were integral to Brighton’s late surge.

Brighton proved that recruitment is where they excel with their latest star, Yakuba Minteh. The 20-year-old Gambian winger was acquired from Newcastle United for £30 million, a fee that will likely be looked back on as a steal in years to come. Making an immediate impact, he featured in 24 matches, scoring five goals and assisting three. Minteh proved effective as both a starter and a substitute, and his adaptability was useful throughout the campaign. Defensively, he was also effective, averaging 2.9 tackles per 90 minutes. A brace against Chelsea in Brighton’s 3-0 win put him on the radar of the big six, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United reportedly interested in signing the star, according to multiple news articles.

Brighton’s season cannot be told purely in goals, points, and stats. What made the campaign so compelling was the sense of sustainability being maintained and built upon in the club. It is so common for clubs to change philosophy with managerial changes; however, Brighton defied the odds and continued faith in the long-term plan on and off the pitch. Hürzeler’s appointment is the clearest sign the club is not afraid to take risks and, most importantly, back a manager.

As the 2024-2025 season comes to a close, Brighton fans deserve to feel optimistic. A club of historical turmoil feels like one of the most stable in the league. Their football is played with purpose and intent, and a squad full of hungry talent with a manager whose ceiling is as sky-high as the players. The Seagulls are poised to soar.

Europe may have narrowly slipped through their fingers this season, but under Fabian Hürzeler, there is a sense that Brighton’s best days are still to come.