From boos to Bayer Leverkusen links, Hürzeler's dramatic turnaround sparks debate about his true impact and future at Brighton. Will he stay at Brighton?
Since the time where Fabian Hürzeler took over at Brighton, his name has been questioned by fans.
In fact, this even bubbled to a seeming point of no return as the Seagulls lost to their bitter rivals, Crystal Palace, and booed their own head coach with chants of "you don't know what you're doing" at the Amex.
Much like everything else in football, weeks feel like a very long time. So long, that Brighton are now in a totally different position, and the German head coach is linked with moves that could have him managing sides in European competition.
Is Fabian Hürzeler that good?
Bayer Leverkusen have been linked with Hürzeler as a potential successor for Kasper Hjulmand, who they expect to move on this summer. High on their list is the Brighton head coach.
Many Brighton fans may still feel baffled by this news. Whilst recent results have been good, the links for a coach to move on so quickly after being backed by the hierarchy does seem to be strange timing. The victory over Liverpool seems to be a turning point for even the most angry of fans.
A strong second-half performance and a quality of play that has far exceeded that of the last 18 months or so, were very encouraging to watch. It must be emphasised, though, that this is only 45 minutes of football that we are talking about.
Of course, other games have been somewhat encouraging too. However, the biggest criticism of Fabian Hürzeler has been his consistency, game management, and ability to progress young players.
Brighton have thrown away 12 points from leading positions, and 22 in the season prior. Using players like Carlos Baleba in a totally strange way. From being substituted in the first half, to half-time, to being expelled from the squad completely. For a club that has taken pride in building young players, it seems as though this doesn't align with Hürzeler's approach very well.
Hürzeler knows how to stabilise using experience...
The biggest results of late have come since dropping most of these young players completely. Brighton have been fielding one of the oldest starting XIs on multiple occasions in recent times.
With players like 40-year-old appearance record-breaker James Milner and 35-year-old Danny Welbeck. Both of which have had great seasons, respectively. Since switching to the 'older' line-up, he seems to have steadied the ship into being a lot more balanced. Back to basics.
The point remains: Is this an angle that Tony Bloom believes in going into a new season?
It was nice to see Hürzeler break his set stereotype of not mixing with the fans much. Punching the air towards the North Stand after the win was very nice to see. As fans, we've wanted to see this level of passion for the job which he has shown recently.
Ultimately, this is all still very new territory, with very limited sample sizes of actual results.
For a very long time, issues felt repetitive.
Losing from winning positions, or conceding too many chances. Defensively and offensively almost looking shy and unable to continue the style of play that was either started within the first 15 minutes, or a game where Hürzeler's side had to battle back for points.
Usually, in the last 10 minutes of a game, at 2-0/1-0 down. Brighton are fifth in the league for this statistic, with 14 points gained from losing positions, and 23 last season, the most in the Premier League! Whether this is a positive or a negative, both can be argued fairly.
The same problems recurred, and for most games in the last two seasons, you could have written a similar thesis and prediction for what would be said after full-time. Something like "togetherness", or "trusting the process", and you'd be halfway there.
The key difference that was noticed by the Liverpool game was that none of these things remained apparent for the first time in a very long time. Dare I say, for the first time in his managerial career, down on the South Coast?
Hürzeler's style of play can be very nice on the eye. When the players are on the same wavelength, high intensity is an enjoyable watch, and it can be very productive.
Duals and running are something that the head coach believes in above all else, contrary to a manager like Pep Guardiola. Guardiola's style, maybe something you've come to expect from a Brighton team in the last five years or so.
The style of play could suit a Bundesliga outfit better than a Premier League side, and a move to Leverkusen could make sense. Hürzeler achieved a lot with St Pauli, ensuring their promotion to the top flight shortly before making the switch to the South of England.
Funnily enough, Brighton do not play another home game until the end of April. Having a month away from the Amex after finally feeling like something has clicked sums up the luck of a lot of Brighton results.
With that being said, it has led him to be lit up in the news for links to Leverkusen, and for his departure to be framed as a move to a bigger club, rather than fans pushing him out the door.
One thing is for certain, and that is the last game was considerably better than we've seen before.
Hürzeler could move on, and it'd seem likely to be to a side back in Germany, but the idea that it would be based on his success this season remains to be seen.