Fabian Hurzeler issues clear message after links to Manchester United job
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has told talkSPORT it is an ‘honour’ to be linked with taking charge of Manchester United. But the 32-year-old has declared he remains fully committed to the Seagulls in his quest to seal a European spot this season. Hurzeler guided Brighton to a top ten finish last season in his first year in EnglandGetty Hurzeler has impressed since taking over at the Amex Stadium last year, which saw him become the Premier League’s youngest permanent manager. He guided the south coast outfit to eighth spot last term – and has Brighton in tenth after six games this season. And despite a tough opening start to the campaign, Hurzeler has masterminded wins over Manchester City and Chelsea, while also drawing to Tottenham Hotspur. Many pundits are backing the German to manage a ‘Top Six’ club in the future, with his name recently linked with the Red Devils. Current United boss Ruben Amorim is under intense pressure at Old Trafford with the club enduring their worst start to a Premier League season having come off the back of finishing 15th last term – their lowest final position since 1990. talkSPORT understands that Amorim has been instructed to secure a European spot this season, with his position growing more uncertain with every week United drop points. It has led to newspaper talk of Hurzeler being viewed as an option to replace the Portuguese boss should Amorim be relieved of his duties. What has Fabian Hurzeler said about the Manchester United job? And Hurzeler told talkSPORT it is flattering to be linked with one day taking over at the Theatre of Dreams. He said: “Yeah, of course, it is always an honour to be a part of the rumours. “But I really respect the coach Ruben Amorim there, so I think it’s not the right thing to talk about this. Amorim has already overseen three Premier League defeats from United’s first six matchesGetty “But overall, I can say it’s a privilege to work for Brighton, I’m very happy to be the coach here. “We [still] have a lot of work in front of us.” Commenting on how he aims to get Brighton to the ‘next level’, Hurzeler remarked: “To really establish ourselves in the top group and get consistency in our results, I think that’s the main thing. “We’ve proved it this season that we can beat the big teams, but in some moments we are struggling against the teams where it might be more equal, where they have the same amount of quality as us. “So therefore I think the next step is getting consistency in the performances and the results. “And then I am sure that we can stabilise ourselves also in the position in the table.” Hurzeler is considered to be among the best young managers in the game Needs to get back to his best Hurzeler also told midfielder Carlos Baleba he needs to remain grounded following a slow start to the season after Brighton refused to sell him to United. The former St Pauli manager recently declared that he believes Baleba’s struggles are due to his £115million links to the Red Devils. And offering a fresh view on the 21-year-old, Hurzeler said: “I’m confident that we will get the best out of him, I think he needs time, he’s a young boy, his development in the last year was incredible. “Maybe it went a little bit too fast, there was a lot of rumours about him, he played an incredible season, but I always try to be humble with the players. “Because with young players, it’s normal that there will be some waves in their development, and at the moment, we have a wave, so therefore the only way to get out of it, is to try to keep working hard and try to use every training session you can have and try to get as many minutes on the pitch. “And I saw a better Carlos Baleba at the weekend [3-1 win at Chelsea] and I am sure we will see a better Carlos Baleba in the next game [away at Wolves], and then it’s about us to get him back into shape and I am quite convinced that he will be there soon.” Baleba has struggled for form this season amid interest from UnitedGetty Who is on Manchester United’s shortlist to replace Amorim? talkSPORT understands that former England boss Gareth Southgate is a leading candidate should they decide to sack Amorim, who they are reluctant to axe. United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been in direct contact with Southgate in recent weeks. The former England coach was considered when United hired under-pressure Amorim last year, but didn’t want to return to club management at the time. Other potential replacements include Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. Meanwhile, club legend Michael Carrick is believed to be tempted by a return – four years after enjoying a brief stint as United’s interim boss. 1: Premier League Fixtures & Results

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has told talkSPORT it is an ‘honour’ to be linked with taking charge of Manchester United.
But the 32-year-old has declared he remains fully committed to the Seagulls in his quest to seal a European spot this season.
Hurzeler has impressed since taking over at the Amex Stadium last year, which saw him become the Premier League’s youngest permanent manager.
He guided the south coast outfit to eighth spot last term – and has Brighton in tenth after six games this season.
And despite a tough opening start to the campaign, Hurzeler has masterminded wins over Manchester City and Chelsea, while also drawing to Tottenham Hotspur.
Many pundits are backing the German to manage a ‘Top Six’ club in the future, with his name recently linked with the Red Devils.
Current United boss Ruben Amorim is under intense pressure at Old Trafford with the club enduring their worst start to a Premier League season having come off the back of finishing 15th last term – their lowest final position since 1990.
talkSPORT understands that Amorim has been instructed to secure a European spot this season, with his position growing more uncertain with every week United drop points.
It has led to newspaper talk of Hurzeler being viewed as an option to replace the Portuguese boss should Amorim be relieved of his duties.
What has Fabian Hurzeler said about the Manchester United job?
And Hurzeler told talkSPORT it is flattering to be linked with one day taking over at the Theatre of Dreams.
He said: “Yeah, of course, it is always an honour to be a part of the rumours.
“But I really respect the coach Ruben Amorim there, so I think it’s not the right thing to talk about this.
“But overall, I can say it’s a privilege to work for Brighton, I’m very happy to be the coach here.
“We [still] have a lot of work in front of us.”
Commenting on how he aims to get Brighton to the ‘next level’, Hurzeler remarked: “To really establish ourselves in the top group and get consistency in our results, I think that’s the main thing.
“We’ve proved it this season that we can beat the big teams, but in some moments we are struggling against the teams where it might be more equal, where they have the same amount of quality as us.
“So therefore I think the next step is getting consistency in the performances and the results.
“And then I am sure that we can stabilise ourselves also in the position in the table.”
Needs to get back to his best
Hurzeler also told midfielder Carlos Baleba he needs to remain grounded following a slow start to the season after Brighton refused to sell him to United.
The former St Pauli manager recently declared that he believes Baleba’s struggles are due to his £115million links to the Red Devils.
And offering a fresh view on the 21-year-old, Hurzeler said: “I’m confident that we will get the best out of him, I think he needs time, he’s a young boy, his development in the last year was incredible.
“Maybe it went a little bit too fast, there was a lot of rumours about him, he played an incredible season, but I always try to be humble with the players.
“Because with young players, it’s normal that there will be some waves in their development, and at the moment, we have a wave, so therefore the only way to get out of it, is to try to keep working hard and try to use every training session you can have and try to get as many minutes on the pitch.
“And I saw a better Carlos Baleba at the weekend [3-1 win at Chelsea] and I am sure we will see a better Carlos Baleba in the next game [away at Wolves], and then it’s about us to get him back into shape and I am quite convinced that he will be there soon.”
Who is on Manchester United’s shortlist to replace Amorim?
talkSPORT understands that former England boss Gareth Southgate is a leading candidate should they decide to sack Amorim, who they are reluctant to axe.
United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been in direct contact with Southgate in recent weeks.
The former England coach was considered when United hired under-pressure Amorim last year, but didn’t want to return to club management at the time.
Other potential replacements include Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Meanwhile, club legend Michael Carrick is believed to be tempted by a return – four years after enjoying a brief stint as United’s interim boss.