Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly shortlisted Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler as a managerial target.
The German has endured a rollercoaster of a few months at the Amex Stadium, most recently leading the Seagulls to four wins in their last five Premier League matches.
However, that impressive run was kickstarted after a torrid run of form where Brighton won just one in 13 league contests, which ultimately led to boos and chants being aimed in the direction of the ex-St. Pauli boss.
Nevertheless, the Brighton higher powers stood by their manager during that rocky spell, and their patience appears to have paid off with some solid performances in recent weeks, including a 2-1 win against Liverpool over the weekend.
Hurzeler has earned plenty of praise throughout his tenure in the Premier League so far, and a return to the Bundesliga could beckon as a result.
According to Sky Sports Germany, Bayer Leverkusen are ‘closely monitoring’ the 33-year-old’s situation and are aware that his contract with the Seagulls only runs until the summer of 2027.
Hurzeler is therefore ‘definitely’ viewed as a candidate to replace Kasper Hjulmand in the BayArena dugout, though other options are also being considered, with the Bundesliga outfit scouring the market for immediate successors.
Hjulmand’s contract with Leverkusen runs until 2027, but it is viewed as ‘highly unlikely’ that he will remain at the helm of the club until that point.
The Dane only joined the club in September 2025, replacing former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, but there are already internal doubts about the manager. Leverkusen are therefore prepared to replace Hjulmand over the summer if they are able to identify a suitable candidate, and Hurzeler is at the forefront of their thinking.
It remains to be seen whether the Brighton boss would be open to an early return to Germany or whether he will look to earn a contract extension on the south coast as he approaches the final 12 months of his current deal.