Ange Postecoglou says he passed on some of his coaching philosophy to Fabian Hurzeler before he became the Premier League’s youngest permanent manager at Brighton.
Postecoglou — at 59 the top flight’s oldest current boss now that Jurgen Klopp and David Moyes have stepped away — takes his Tottenham side to Brighton on Sunday, where 31-year-old Hurzeler replaced Roberto De Zerbi in the summer.
Hurzeler spent a day with former Australia coach Postecoglou and his staff at Tottenham’s training ground last season when the German was leading St Pauli to promotion.
‘He coached Jackson Irvine, who I had with the Socceroos, and reached out to us and said Fabian likes what you’re doing, can he come pay a visit?’ said Postecoglou.
‘He asked a hell of a lot of questions and I gave him too many answers, that’s for sure. If I’d have known he’d be Brighton manager.
Ange Postecoglou takes his side to the Amex to face Brighton on Sunday afternoon
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler spent a day with Postecoglou and his coaching staff last season
Brighton started the season strongly but they are now winless in their last four Premier League matches
‘I actually palmed him off at one stage because he was asking me too many, so I gave him to one of the other coaches.
‘You could tell he’s a real student of the game, he wanted so much knowledge. It’s probably a perfect fit for him because Brighton are a fantastic club.’