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# Fabian Hurzeler: Brighton can’t abandon their identity

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 24 Jul
- **Club:** Brighton
- **Original URL:** https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/26407020.fabian-hurzeler-brighton-cant-abandon-identity/?ref=rss

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Fabian Hurzeler explains why dominating possession is the best way to develop players and achieve long-term success.

Last season, Brighton had a possession of 54% in the Premier League in 2025-26. It’s a slight nod to Fabian Hurzeler’s style of play - to dominate the pitch as much as they can.

The young manager enjoys a highly fluid, possession-based tactical system that combines deliberate, deep build-up with vertical attacking runs and a hard counter press.

The best example of this was when Albion outclassed Wolves in their 3-0 victory.

Brighton enjoyed 73% possession in the Premier League clash.

After securing Brighton European football for the second time in history, Fabian Hurzeler explained how his side develop themselves.

The Albion head coach said: “We are known as a very innovative club. We are known for having a special group and for doing things differently here.

“Because of that, we can be very proud of the way we operate, because we definitely do things differently compared to other clubs.

“On the pitch, we always try to stick to our principles and improve the individual players.

“In my opinion, you improve players by trying to dominate games through possession, because it forces them to find solutions in difficult situations, whether that is against teams pressing high or sides sitting in a low block where there is very little space.

“In those moments, I think players really develop, and that is why we have to stay focused on our identity on the pitch.

“It shows that we can be successful while playing our own style of football.”