Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler defends disciplinary record: ‘Emotions are part of it’

Hurzeler was frustrated at referee Simon Hooper’s decision not to penalise Milenkovic after the defender made contact with the back of Danny Welbeck’s head inside the penalty area 10 minutes into the second half.

The German felt Tariq Lamptey’s foul on Morgan Gibbs-White moments later – which led to Forest’s fifth goal – was not enough for a penalty, while he was also adamant the home side’s sixth should have been chalked off for handball against Ibrahim Sangare.

“When we look a the decisions today, they were really poor,” Hurzeler continued, before adding in a separate interview with TNT Sports: “I have to deal with it, deal with the pressure and the disappointment.

“I will try and be a role model in the case of finding the right solutions. That is my job now.”

Only two other managers have received five cards in a single Premier League season since the rule was introduced. Roberto de Zerbi – Hurzeler’s predecessor at Amex Stadium – was shown six cards in 2022-23 before receiving another five the following campaign.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was also shown five cards during the 2023-24 season.

“It’s not an easy day, as you can imagine, but it is also part of the business,” said Hurzeler said. “We have to find solutions and that is my responsibility.

“It is about taking responsibility – and that is what I will do.”