Although Hurzeler had made a name for himself in Germany after leading St Pauli to promotion into the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence, he was an unknown quantity on English shores.
The youngest ever manager in Premier League history, his defection to England in St Pauli's greatest hour and having never managed a top-flight side anywhere meant it was inevitable that all eyes would again be on the Amex Stadium during the 2024/25 season.
Had Brighton's owner Tony Bloom bitten off more than he could chew?
Owner Tony Bloom had shown himself to be an astute judge of character before with the appointments of Graham Potter and De Zerbi, though one couldn't help thinking that perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew by employing Hurzeler.
Not that the incoming manager was worried.
"My age is a big topic. I am a young man, but I am not a young coach. I call myself the friendly authority. Football is my passion. I try to convince my players using the power of ideas," he said at his opening press conference before the start of the current season.
"I really like Brighton's DNA - it is a very analytical, data-based approach. I like the style, playing with courage. I know they have achieved big things. It is an honour to be part of it.
"I am really excited. We have young players with big potential, and older ones who have achieved a lot of things."
Brighton's future positive as Europe chances fade
With the current Premier League season soon coming to an end, Brighton currently find themselves in ninth position on 51 points.
Under the Italian last season they finished 11th on 48 points so if nothing else Hurzeler has already exceeded the points total of a manager that was lauded by all and sundry for the manner in which his teams played football.
Fifty-six goals scored this season is also better (by one) than in 2023/24, with four games of the 2024/25 campaign still to play.
European football next season is all but out of the question which may affect what standard of players Hurzeler and the Brighton board can persuade to join next season, however, on a more positive note, it allows the manager and his players to continue to grow without the glare of the world's media upon them.
Those Brighton fans who might therefore be a tad disappointed with how this season has panned out would do well to take a look at the last few seasons as a comparison.
Hurzeler's record is already better than De Zerbi and Potter in some respects
Hurzeler has managed a creditable 13 wins in his 34 English top-flight games to date. That's just one less than De Zerbi during his first season (2022/23) at the club, and one more than his second campaign there.
It also might surprise many that the German's league record is already better than any of Graham Potter's three seasons on the south coast.
The now West Ham manager only won nine matches in each of his first two seasons and 12 in his final campaign before moving to Chelsea, meaning Hurzeler's 38.2% win percentage far exceeds Potter's 23.7% (twice) and 31.6%.
Nine losses so far this season is better than De Zerbi's 11 and 14, and Potter's 15, 15 and 11, whilst Hurzeler's 12 draws equals the Italian from last season and is only just shy of the Englishman's 14 (twice) and 11.
Perhaps just as impressively, the current incumbent has won both of his Premier League matches against Manchester United this season, and drawn the two games his side have played against Arsenal.
In fact, the only team to have beaten Brighton in both matches this season is Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace, though champions Liverpool could join that very select group if they were to triumph in their fixture on May 19th.
Brighton's style helped to perpetuate narrative despite poor results
The only side that De Zerbi's Brighton managed to beat on both occasions that they played them is Southampton, whilst Potter's side only had a 100% record against Brentford.
There were clearly moments in the tenures of both managers before Hurzeler's arrival that gave rise to the notion that here was a team and a club going places, but it was the narrative surrounding the club that helped to perpetuate it.
Brighton did play some very clever and exciting stuff under De Zerbi and Potter, of that there's no denying, however, the results that were being achieved were at oods with the way that the Seagulls were being perceived at the time.
Hurzeler has improved upon the records of his predecessors in almost every way, whilst still maintaining a way of playing that's incredibly pleasing on the eye.
He hasn't forgotten his principles in the pursuit of Premier League success either, and that's perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to the 32-year-old.
Squad have responded brilliantly to Hurzeler's way of working
It would've been so easy for him to come into a new league in a new country and look for answers away from the style of football that he knew.
To his great credit, he's had the strength of character to stick with the ways of working that got him the job at Brighton in the first place - and his squad have responded.
His transfers have also been studious and well thought out, with deals for both Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh especially proving to be a great success.
With both manager and club seemingly happy with how the arrangement has worked out over the first season together, it's difficult to imagine anything other than a bright future for Hurzeler and Brighton.
Tony Bloom's vision might well be a blueprint for other clubs to follow in future too.
