Alious**Fabian Hurzeler Under Mounting Pressure at Brighton Following Embarrassing 7-0 Defeat to Nottingham Forest**
Brighton manager **Fabian Hurzeler** is facing increasing scrutiny after his side’s **humiliating 7-0 loss** to **Nottingham Forest** on February 1st, a result that has intensified doubts about his future at the club.
Growing Concerns Over Hurzeler’s Leadership
According to former **Manchester United** and **Blackburn** chief scout **Mick Brown**, who remains well-connected within football circles, Hurzeler’s position is becoming more precarious as frustration grows among the **Brighton fanbase**. Speaking exclusively to **Football Insider**, Brown suggested that **losing the support of the fans** could ultimately be the deciding factor in the manager’s fate.
Following the crushing defeat, many Brighton supporters have been **vocal in calling for Hurzeler’s dismissal**, with frustrations boiling over due to the team’s **dismal form** in recent weeks.
Brighton’s Worrying Run of Form**
Brighton’s struggles extend beyond the Forest thrashing. The Seagulls have managed just **two wins in their last 12 Premier League matches**, with disappointing draws against **relegation-threatened Southampton** and **Leicester City**, as well as a **3-1 home defeat to fierce rivals Crystal Palace**.
This poor run has left large sections of fans at the **Amex Stadium** questioning Hurzeler’s tactics and ability to lead the team. The pressure is building rapidly, and although the club’s board hasn’t made any immediate decisions, the current trajectory raises concerns about the manager’s long-term future.
**Mick Brown: “The Pressure Is Growing”**
Brown, who has worked alongside legendary managers like **Sir Alex Ferguson**, **Ron Atkinson**, and **David Moyes**, emphasized that while pressure is an inevitable part of the job, the scale of Brighton’s recent defeat has **amplified the scrutiny** on Hurzeler.
> “From what I hear, the pressure on his position is growing,” Brown told Football Insider.
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> “There’s rarely a time in a season when a manager isn’t under pressure—whether you’re fighting for European spots or battling to avoid relegation. But after a **7-0 defeat**, the spotlight naturally intensifies.”
Brown added that **fan sentiment plays a pivotal role** in a manager’s job security:
> “When fans turn against you after results like that, it can be the tipping point. We saw a similar situation with **David Moyes at West Ham**—once the supporters lose faith, it becomes increasingly difficult to recover.”
Hurzeler’s Future: A Turning Point Approaching?**
Despite the mounting criticism, Brown believes that Hurzeler is not at immediate risk of being sacked. The Brighton hierarchy appears to be taking a measured approach, avoiding knee-jerk reactions based on a single poor result.
> “I wouldn’t expect him to be dismissed imminently, but **serious questions are being asked** behind the scenes,” Brown noted.
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> “While it’s important not to overreact to one bad performance, if the team’s form continues to decline and they **slip further down the table**, the club may have no choice but to act.”
A Costly Summer Adds to the Pressure**
Hurzeler’s situation is further complicated by the fact that he was backed heavily in the transfer market. Since joining Brighton in the summer on a **three-year contract running until 2027**, the club has spent over **£250 million on new signings**, raising expectations both from the board and the fans.
When a manager is given such substantial financial support, poor performances become even harder to justify. Hurzeler was brought in to build on Brighton’s recent success, but the current slide threatens to undo much of the progress made in recent years.
**What’s Next for Hurzeler and Brighton?**
While Hurzeler’s position isn’t under immediate threat, Brighton’s next few fixtures could prove decisive. A continued run of poor form may leave the board with little choice but to reconsider his role.
For now, all eyes will be on the Seagulls’ **upcoming matches**—not just for results, but for signs that Hurzeler can turn things around. Failure to do so might see Brighton looking for a **new manager** sooner than expected.
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