Top 10 youngest managers in Premier League history

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 15 June 2024

Following the appointment of 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler as Brighton & Hove Albion's new boss, Sports Mole takes a look at the top 10 youngest permanent managers in Premier League history.

The Premier League is widely regarded as the best division in world football that has been blessed with a plethora of talent players and successful managers.

While many clubs turn to an experienced head when appointing a new boss, others take a different approach and put their faith in an up-and-coming coach seeking to put their stamp on the beautiful game.

One of the latest names hoping to do just that is 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, who has been confirmed as the new head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year deal, succeeding Roberto De Zerbi.

Hurzeler joins the Seagulls after just 18 months in his first managerial role at German outfit St Pauli, who won the 2.Bundesliga title under his tutelage last season.

Following Hurzeler's record-breaking appointment, Sports Mole takes a look at the top 10 youngest permanent managers in Premier League history.

10. Glenn Hoddle

Glenn Hoddle pictured in May 2017 © Reuters

Club: Chelsea
Age when appointed: 35 years, nine months, 18 days
Year appointed: June 1993
Years in charge: Two years, 11 months
Last managerial job: Wolverhampton Wanderers (December 2004 - July 2006)

9. Aidy Boothroyd

Aidy Boothroyd pictured on March 21, 2019 © Reuters

Club: Watford
Age when appointed: 35 years, six months, 11 days
Year appointed: March 2005
Years in charge: Three years, eight months
Last managerial job: Jamshedpur (July 2022 - May 2023)

8. Garry Monk

Birmingham City manager Garry Monk pictured on November 28, 2018 © Reuters

Club: Swansea City
Age when appointed: 34 years, 11 months, two days
Year appointed: February 2014
Years in charge: One year, 10 months
Current managerial job: Cambridge United (March 2024 - present)

7. Paul Jewell

Paul Jewell pictured on October 6, 2012 © Reuters

Club: Bradford City
Age when appointed: 34 years, 10 months, 10 days
Year appointed: January 1998
Years in charge: Two years, five months
Last managerial job: Ipswich Town (January 2011 - October 2012)

6. Alex Neil

Stoke manager Alex Neil before the match on February 28, 2023 © Reuters

Club: Norwich City
Age when appointed: 34 years, one months, 30 days
Year appointed: January 2015
Years in charge: Two years, two months
Last managerial job: Stoke City (August 2022 - December 2023)

5. Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit pictured in 1996 © Reuters

Club: Chelsea
Age when appointed: 33 years, 11 months, 17 days
Year appointed: May 1996
Years in charge: One year, nine months
Last managerial job: Terek Grozny (2011)

4. Andre Villas-Boas

Zenit St Petersburg coach Andre Villas-Boas attends a news conference on March 8, 2016 © Reuters

Club: Chelsea
Age when appointed: 33 years, nine months, 28 days
Year appointed: June 2010
Months in charge: Nine months
Last managerial job: Marseille (May 2019 - February 2021)

3. Gianluca Vialli

Italy delegation chief Gianluca Vialli celebrates after winning Euro 2020 © Reuters

Club: Chelsea
Age when appointed: 33 years, seven months, 27 days
Year appointed: February 1998
Years in charge: Two years, seven months
Last managerial job: Watford (June 2001 - June 2002)

2. Chris Coleman

Sunderland manager Chris Coleman February 24, 2018 © Reuters

Club: Fulham
Age when appointed: 32 years, seven months, 22 days
Year appointed: April 2003
Years in charge: Four years
Last managerial job: Atromitos (January 2022 - October 2023)

1. Fabian Hurzeler

St Pauli head coach Fabian Hurzeler before the match on January 30, 2024 © Reuters

Club: Brighton & Hove Albion
Age when appointed: 31 years, three months, 110 days
Year appointed: June 2024
Previous managerial job: St Pauli (December 2022 - June 2024)