Brighton have identified 31-year-old St Pauli manager Fabian Hurzeler as the top candidate to succeed Roberto de Zerbi.
The clubs are currently in talks, and Brighton has already secured a work permit for Hurzeler, though no agreement has been finalized yet.
Hurzeler, who was born in the US, led St Pauli to win the German second division last season, marking their return to the Bundesliga after 13 years.
If appointed, he would become the youngest manager in the Premier League since its inception in 1992.
Notably, Hurzeler is younger than several of Brighton’s senior players, including James Milner (38), Danny Welbeck (33), and Lewis Dunk (32).
Brighton’s owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber have been spearheading the managerial search, which is now in its final stages.
The club announced on May 18 that Italian De Zerbi would be departing at the end of the Premier League season.