Fabian Hurzeler
With Fabian Hurzeler making a big impression as Brighton boss after another win over Manchester City, we're taking a look at how the youngest Premier League managers in history have fared.
The former defensive midfielder became the youngest permanent head coach in England's top flight when taking charge of the Seagulls at the age of 31 in June 2024.
He led Albion to eighth place during his first season, enjoying wins over champions Liverpool, both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Here is how the other youngest Premier League managers acquitted themselves:
Will Brighton Qualify For Europe?
Ryan Mason
Ryan Mason, Tottenham (Caretaker) – 29
The former Spurs midfielder had his playing career ended by a head injury suffered while representing Hull against Chelsea in January 2017, forcing his retirement on medical advice at the age of 27.
Tottenham took him on as a coach the following year, and when manager Jose Mourinho was sacked days before the 2021 Carabao Cup final, he was handed the first-team reins until the end of the season, making him the Premier League's youngest-ever coach at 29.
Manchester City prevented Mason from lifting a trophy at Wembley in what would have been just his second game as a boss, but there were four wins from six in the league as the team finished seventh. It was not enough to earn him the job permanently, and Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed at the end of the campaign.
Attilio Lombardo
Attilio Lombardo, Crystal Palace - 32
Palace were enduring a dismal season, their first back in the top flight after two years away, when manager Steve Coppell was moved to the director of football role by new owner Mark Goldberg in March 1998.
With the club rooted to the bottom of the table on a run of seven straight losses and 14 games without a win, star midfielder Lombardo was appointed player-manager, assisted by team-mate Tomas Brolin.
The Italy international had joined that summer from Juventus and helped the club to a fine start – they were 10th in November – before injury kept him out for five months. During that time, Palace plummeted, and things did not pick up once the Italian became boss. Five defeats from his seven games in charge saw the team relegated, with Ray Lewington taking over for the final three fixtures.
Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman, Fulham – 32
Another whose playing career was curtailed by injury, the former Cottagers defender was appointed Fulham caretaker in April 2003 following the sacking of Jean Tigana and with the club flirting with relegation.
Given five games to keep the team up, he earned three victories and a draw as Fulham survived by six points, a brief audition sufficient to persuade Mohamed Al-Fayed to hand him the job full-time ahead of the following campaign.
The ex-Wales international lasted just shy of four years in the role, establishing himself as a top-flight coach with a ninth-placed finish in his first season before being sacked during the run-in to the 2006/07 campaign with the team four points above the drop zone.
He went on to lead Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.
Gianluca Viali
Gianluca Viali, Chelsea - 33
After signing from Juventus in 1996, the Italian striker had struggled for a regular place in the Chelsea side under manager Ruud Gullit, but was handed control of the team when the Dutchman was sacked early in 1998.
Already a fan favourite, the new player-manager further endeared himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful by winning the League Cup and Cup Winners' Cup within months.
A first full season in charge saw Chelsea reach the Champions League for the first time via a third-placed league finish, but the bubble soon burst and Vialli was sacked early in the 2000/01 season.
Andre Villas-Boas
Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea- 33
Villas-Boas enjoyed a sensational start to his managerial career with Porto, steering them through an unbeaten campaign in Portugal's Primeira Liga to top the table by more than 20 points before also claiming Europa League glory.
That prompted Chelsea to swoop and secure his services in June 2011, but a short and sometimes turbulent reign at Stamford Bridge only lasted until the following February.
Less than five months later, Villas-Boas replaced Harry Redknapp at Tottenham, where he finished fifth in his first season but only stayed until December 2013.
Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit, Chelsea - 33
The Netherlands star became the first Dutch head coach in the Premier League when appointed as player-manager of the Blues in 1996 after Glenn Hoddle had moved on to become England supremo.
Gullit's initial season ended with him breaking new ground as the first overseas and black manager to lead his team to FA Cup success, ending Chelsea's 26-year wait for a major trophy.
The Blues were second in the Premier League and still chasing silverware in two knockout competitions when he was axed in February 1998.
Bet on Premier League Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
