Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler thinks Manchester City currently have a man who is the best in the world in his role.
The Seagulls host Man City on Sunday afternoon at the Amex Stadium, with both clubs looking to bounce back from defeats last time out in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s men found it a tough task in both games they played against Hurzeler’s team last season, and ahead of this weekend’s match, Paul Merson thinks Man City will only come away from Brighton with just a point.
Speaking ahead of the contest, Hurzeler told the press that Man City have the best in the world in one role at the Manchester club, and looks forward to the challenge of stopping him on Sunday.
Fabian Hurzeler smiling after Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton.
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler thinks Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world
Brighton had great success against Man City last season, with the Seagulls winning their first contest 2-1, before coming away from the Etihad Stadium with a point after a 2-2 draw.
Hurzeler was asked about what it meant to him to beat Guardiola last year, and the German stated that it ranked very high in his young career so far.
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“Very high. Pep is maybe the best in the world, so it’s always an honour to face him and, of course, a joy to beat his teams. But Sunday will be a different game, with both teams at different stages,” the 32-year-old said.
“Wins like that are great, but it’s important to stay humble, keep working, and focus on consistency—that’s what makes the difference.”
This weekend’s game is a big one for Man City as back-to-back defeats could harm the confidence within Guardiola’s dressing room, which could see the demons of the 2024/25 campaign potentially creep back in.
What Fabian Hurzeler has learned from Pep Guardiola over the years
Many coaches in the world of football view Guardiola as the greatest manager of all time, and therefore, the legendary figure is a role model for many trying to make it in that role.
Brighton’s Hurzeler is no different, and when asked what the one thing he has learned from the Man City boss is, the German coach said it is to “never be satisfied”.
“Never be satisfied. Always try to develop your team, bring new adjustments, new ideas,” the 32-year-old told the press.
“He’s a role model for that. He adapts constantly, and I believe you have to. You stick to your style but add new elements and details.”