Tony’s Done it Again

Who could possibly follow the greatest managerial appointment in the history of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club – RDZ – and the wonderful era of DeZerbismo that followed?

A hedonistic 16-month rush before the inevitable comedown (from that fateful night in Rome until the tearful goodbye nine weeks later). The greatest moments in our shared history, the time of our collective lives.

Steve Cooper, Russell Martin? G****m P****r? A nice safe pair of hands, someone to dutifully manage decline (and our expectations), a spell amongst the middle rankers to help consign the Euro highs to history (a lesson in the futility of aspiration for us all).

Well, no. Safe is for other (lesser) football clubs, and once again Tony has upped the ante and gone all in; welcome to Brighton Fabian Hürzeler.

Artwork credit: Gullski

Just 31 years of age with a 2. Bundesliga winners medal to his name as head coach at FC St. Pauli (St. Pauli of all places!) and committed parishioner of the Church of DeZerbianism. The man who makes Julian Nagelsmann feel old (and old fashioned).

His approach is aggressive and front foot. He likes to score goals, he wants to win, and Hürzeler, like de Zerbi before him, won’t give a fuck about offending someone’s sensibilities when celebrating on the sidelines. He’s perfect, basically.

Hürzeler would be ‘a brave solution’ said Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, when breaking the original news story of Albion’s interest.

But this does a disservice to Tony Bloom, and the beautiful machine he has constructed since taking over the football club. The appointment is not a feat of bravery but an act of genius.

At this point, Tony isn’t even really doing the whole ‘well-run club’ thing, his work has moved beyond that. It is divine. Hürzeler’s internship at Falmer in the winter of 2023 was a future foretold. Ours, by Him.

But yet.

At times, as a matchgoing fan, it can feel like there’s something paradoxical about Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.

The big footballing decisions are clearly the work of a visionary; a player development system unrivaled in world football, daring to hire 31-year-old St. Pauli managers, not afraid to take risks in pursuit of something magical.

However, at times, this boldness and progressiveness can feel contrary to our lived experiences when following the Albion, and the operational approaches adopted and pursued by the club.

For example, its attitude to safe standing and determination to hold out against progress.

Even Bournemouth have embraced safe standing – Dean fucking Court – with the Albion now standing (sitting) alone against the other 19 clubs in the Premier League who have all implemented safe standing sections, or plan to do so.

The draconian aspects of the Supporters’ Charter and concerns around the proportionality of club-issued bans and punishments (expect more on this subject in next season’s issues of Dogma).

Club merchandising that’s befitting of a League Two outfit from a drab suburban or semi-rural small town, and not a vibrant, progressive, unique city. If you haven’t done so already, ‘Mes Que Un Club’ by Iain Budgen – published in Dogma Issue 12, last few copies available right here – is essential reading on this subject.

Within that same issue you will find 1,000+ words dedicated to the subject of Freed from Desire, and the disconnect between the musical heritage and culture of the city of Brighton & Hove and the music played over Falmer’s PA system.

Photography credit: Andrew Forsyth

The lack of imagination that’s revealed through the wording displayed on the LCD boards placed around the stadium; we can surely do better than ‘Sussex by the Sea’ or ‘Come on Brighton’?

The risible approach to sustainability (irrespective of recent awards recognition), as deconstructed by Fred Waine (in Dogma Issue 11).

The hectoring and threatening tone of the ticketing comms delivered to matchgoers, particularly those of us who support the team away from home.

Ongoing transport issues and what feels like a lack of care or accountability from the club, away fans in home areas (or home fans in away areas when we’re on the road), post-match concourse kettling.

The list goes on.

It’s perhaps trivial to reference such matters, but the general point is this: if some of the bold, innovative thinking and progressive spirit seen in the appointment of such an exciting new manager were to be applied to all areas of the club, and not just the footballing elements, then I think we’d be onto something very special indeed.

And Tony, if you are reading, I’m telling you this because I love you.