Move to England
Hürzeler with understanding for disappointed St. Pauli fans
St. Pauli’s president Oke Göttlich (l) sees the departure of coach Fabian Hürzeler as proof of good work at the club. Photo
© Marcus Brandt/dpa
Promotion coach Fabian Hürzeler is leaving FC St. Pauli for England. Some fans online are disappointed. The 31-year-old is not surprised.
After moving to the English club Brighton & Hove Albion, coach Fabian Hürzeler expressed understanding for the frustration of some FC St. Pauli fans.
“Leaving the club was one of the most difficult decisions ever. I understand that many of you are disappointed and I want to assure you that I did not make this decision lightly,” the 31-year-old said on Instagram.
On Saturday evening, the second division champions from Hamburg and the Premier League club announced Hürzeler’s previously expected move to the English south coast. Many users and fans of the Hanseatic club reacted with disappointment on social networks. “I am not deciding against something, but for something new. For a very big challenge and opportunity. Regardless of this, I will always carry FC St. Pauli and its incredible community in my heart,” Hürzeler wrote.
Hürzeler transformed the Hamburg club from a relegation candidate into a top team in the second division. Last season he managed to get St. Pauli promoted to the Bundesliga. The young coach signed a contract in Brighton until summer 2027. He is to be officially presented at a press conference on July 2. There is no successor at the Hanseatic club yet.
Successor not yet determined
St. Pauli’s president Oke Götllich sees Hürzeler’s departure to the English premier league club as “proof of the good work” at the club. By this he meant above all the work of sporting director Andreas Bornemann. “Fabian’s departure is a loss for the club, but also confirmation of our path of gradually developing ourselves through transfer revenues,” he said in a club statement after the announcement of the transfer.
The second division champions are losing the coach behind the successful promotion team. But the local club is collecting a sum that, according to several media reports, is in the high seven-figure range. That would be the highest transfer proceeds the club has ever received. Both clubs have agreed not to disclose the transfer fee. There is currently no decision on the successor. Recently, Christian Eichner from Karlsruher SC and Daniel Thioune from Fortuna Düsseldorf from the second division were named as candidates for the successor.