Who is Fabian Hürzeler?
As FC St. Pauli continues to make waves in German football, much credit is attributed to the transformative impact of their head coach, Fabian Hürzeler.
Since assuming the helm in early 2023, the 31-year-old has orchestrated a defensive revolution within the team, reshaping their mindset and strategy to significantly elevate their performance.
This Fabian Hürzeler tactical analysis delves into Hürzelers defensive tactics, analysing the shifts in St. Paulis formation, pressing mechanisms, and overall defensive stability.
This analysis aims to uncover the nuances that have propelled FC St. Pauli to an unprecedented standing in the league under Hürzelers guidance.
Fabian Hürzeler Tactics
Under the stewardship of Fabian Hürzeler tactics, FC St. Pauli has undergone a pronounced transformation in their defensive resilience, marking a distinct departure from the trends observed during the tenure of his predecessor, Timo Schultz.
The impact of Hürzelers defensive tactics is most evident in the significant reduction in goals conceded by the team.
During Schultzs reign, St. Pauli struggled defensively, conceding an average of 1.47 goals per game.
However, since Hürzeler assumed control in early 2023, there has been a remarkable improvement, with the team now conceding only 0.80 goals per game.
This defensive solidity can be attributed to strategic adjustments implemented by Hürzeler, such as a lower pressing height.
2. Bundesliga Defensive Metrics Table
A noteworthy statistical shift is the increase in the PPDA (Passes Allowed per Defensive Action) value from 8.3 to 10.9 under Hürzelers guidance.
This rise indicates a deliberate tactical choice, allowing 2.6 more passes in the attacking and midfield thirds compared to Schultzs tenure.
This allows them to be more compact, l
