Premier League Stars Older Than Brighton's Manager: A Mind-Blowing XI

Brighton's new manager, Fabian Hurzeler, is the youngest in Premier League history, making many of us feel decidedly old. It's even more surprising when you consider the number of Premier League players who are actually older than him.

It's a strange feeling, almost defying logic. Age shouldn't define a manager's competence; you're either good at the job or you're not. However, Hurzeler's youth is striking – a reminder that "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited was topping the charts when he was born.

Let's take a look at a truly impressive XI of Premier League players, each of whom is older than Brighton's new boss. Prepare to be astonished...

GK: Nick Pope

Pope doesn't exactly look his age. He's not baby-faced, but he's somehow felt 24 for the last several years. The Newcastle and England goalkeeper turned 32 in April, making him a respectable ten months older than Hurzeler.

RB: Matt Doherty

Wolves' veteran right-back, who briefly followed in Kieran Trippier's footsteps at Atletico Madrid, is 14 months Hurzeler's senior. Doherty celebrated his 31st birthday in January 2024. It's great to see him back at Molineux, where he truly belongs.

CB: Fabian Schar

The recent target of Ben Brereton Diaz's questionable tactics is also 32, turning 33 this December. Brereton Diaz is a mere seven-and-a-half years younger than Schar, and at least seven-and-a-half times worse at football. But that's just my opinion. What can I say? I call it like I see it.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

Back to the actual football now. VDV remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and arguably the world. He continues to bully attackers, launch pinpoint diagonals, and win aerial duels with relentless efficiency. The imposing Dutchman was born in July 1991, making him 33 years old – a year and a half older than Brighton's new manager.

LB: Joel Veltman

The Dutch defender is just one of several Brighton players older than their manager. It must be an odd dynamic, a bit like the work experience student suddenly becoming your boss. James Milner is the obvious example; Hurzeler was only nine when the ageless utility man made his Premier League debut for Leeds United. Other Brighton players older than their manager include Danny Welbeck, Lewis Dunk, and Jason Steele.

Veltman, however, is the surprise addition. You wouldn't have blinked if someone told you he was 27. The Seagulls boast a mix of experience and youthful exuberance, with Veltman and the others providing valuable leadership alongside a talented younger core.

DM: Casemiro

Despite appearing to be a good 43 years old, Casemiro is actually only 32. It's a strange one. He's still older than the Brighton manager, but we genuinely thought the age difference was much greater. A mature-looking individual, Casemiro.

CM: Jorginho

Jorge Luiz Frello Filho Cavaliere, better known as Jorginho or "Lil' George," is a man of gaunt features. Parchment skin stretches across prominent cheekbones, and his chin could cut butter. The look of a haunted soul.

Despite the haunted appearance, he's only 32, the Brazilian-Italian metronome of midfield. A year and two months older than Hurzeler.

CM: Sam Morsy

Born in Wolverhampton, the half-Egyptian midfield maestro is a year and a half older than Brighton's new head coach, and seven months younger than Ipswich's guardian angel Ed Sheeran.

Morsy performed well in his first Premier League start, but it'll be a tough ask for Ipswich to see him on this list again next year.

FWR: Mohamed Salah

It's mind-blowing to think that there's a full-time Premier League manager younger than Mohamed Salah, who remains frighteningly fit and incredibly quick. Yet, there is. The Egyptian King is a few months younger than his international teammate Morsy, but he shouldn't be this sharp and sculpted at his age, if you ask us. He's making us all look bad.

ST: Niclas Füllkrug

West Ham's new centre-forward was born 17 days before Hurzeler. That's a fact. However, if you told us this old-school number 9 was transported from a rough pub back in 1903, we'd believe you.

Füllkrug is a wonderfully old-looking man, and we mean that as a compliment. You don't often see footballers who look like normal blokes these days, and Füllkrug is a breath of fresh air. He looks like he could handle himself in a West Ham Christmas party scuffle. Big fan.

FWL: Heung-min Son

The eternally youthful Heung-min Son is older than a current Premier League manager. That's so upsetting. Look at Sonny, man. He looks incredible. He must be on a Korean skincare routine.

Son is almost eight months older than Brighton's new boss. God, Richard Keys is going to have a field day with Hurzeler the moment Brighton drop points, isn't he? Dreading it.