Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says Pep Guardiola’s reported one-year contract extension at Manchester City is the “best thing that can happen in the Premier League”.
The Catalan had been strongly linked with the exit door at the Etihad this summer after eight trophy-laden years but he is now set to sign on for a further year.
German boss Hurzeler, who masterminded an impressive 2-1 win over Guardiola’s City before the international break, believes his counterpart is one of the best coaches in the world and says his prescence can oinly be good for the English top flight.
The Seagulls manager said: “It’s the best thing that can happen to the Premier League because in the end, he is one of the best coaches in the world.
“With his ideas, he always brings something new to the football stage and it is always a challenge to compete against him.
“He always adapts quickly, always has new ideas and he can always win the game. I’m very happy that he will hopefully extend his contract because we can learn from him and to compete with him is a big, big experience.”
Brighton team news
Jack Hinshelwood is a doubt for Brighton’s trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Seagulls midfielder has been a regular under Fabian Hurzeler this season, starting all but one of their 11 Premier League games as the South Coast side sit sixth.
He lasted 57 minutes of Brighton’s shock 2-1 win over Manchester City before the international break and manager Fabian Hurzeler says the 19-year-old will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s journey along the South Coast.
“With Jack, we have to see how it is going in the next two days,” Hurzeler said.
“He has a small issue with his knee, nothing serious but we have to see in the next two days.”
Seagulls skipper is also a doubt after missing Brighton’s last three games, with Hurzeler adding: “Lewis Dunk was training but also, we’ll have to see how the next two days are going, but he’s close.”
Midfielder Carlos Baleba has been declared fit to play but left-back Ferdi Kasioglu has been ruled out, with James Milner remaining on the sidelines.
Hurzeler said: “Ferdi had a small issue after the game against Liverpool. He wasn’t able to play any games for the Turkish national team, so we also shouldn’t take any risks. I don’t think that he will be an option for the weekend, but the others are more positive.”
On James Milner’s injury, Hurzeler said: “It’s not close, but again I can’t give a clear schedule. The medical department works hard with him week by week, but I can’t give the schedule when he will be back.
“It can be fast, it can take a little bit longer, so I don’t want to give any schedule or date where we will see him back on the pitch.”
