Hurzeler dismisses Man United links and vows Brighton journey 'is not finished'

Fabian Hurzeler has publicly committed his future to Brighton, declaring his work at the club is “not finished” despite growing speculation that Manchester United view the 33-year-old German as a leading managerial candidate.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Hurzeler was direct in brushing aside the rumours. “I’m fully focused on my job here,” he said. “I’ve got no time to think about these rumours because we play every three days.”

United’s interest has emerged as pressure mounts on manager Michael Carrick, with Brighton’s outstanding start to the Premier League season drawing admiration from the Old Trafford hierarchy. The Seagulls sit third after seven games, having thrashed champions Arsenal 3-0 and knocked United themselves out of the Carabao Cup. Brighton have also scored 23 goals — four more than second-placed Manchester City — and have won four consecutive league matches.

Hurzeler was careful to speak respectfully of Carrick while closing the door on any immediate move. “I have a lot of respect for Michael Carrick and the job he has done at Manchester United last season. He’s a great human being, a great personality, and I really respect him. There’s nothing more to say about that.”

United are understood to be aware that Hurzeler signed a long-term contract extension with Brighton in May, tying him to the club until 2029, which would require a significant compensation package from any interested party.

The Brighton head coach made clear that personal ambition and loyalty to the project he has built on the south coast are keeping him firmly in place. “I’m really privileged to be here,” he said. “I’m part of a journey and I still have this feeling when I go to bed that we are not finished with our journey.”

Hurzeler also pointed to the human connections at the heart of his coaching philosophy as a reason not to walk away lightly. “We have built this over the years. We’ve had good periods, we’ve had bad periods. To build these connections you need time. You don’t take these things for granted. It’s a people business — making a people business out of this pressure business is something I won’t throw away that fast.”

Brighton’s next test comes on Sunday when they travel to Liverpool, a fixture that will offer another measure of just how far Hurzeler has taken the Seagulls in his debut Premier League season.