It’s a long way from Oldham Athletic at Withdean to Manchester United at the Amex.

But Fabian Huerzeler now knows the bridge that must be crossed if he is to end a long wait in terms of Albion managers and head coaches.

Not that he will see it in those terms, of course.

But the new head coach will end a long wait if he can guide the Seagulls to three points in their first home game of the new Premier League campaign.

Peter Taylor was the last Albion boss to enjoy a win in his first home league game in charge.

That was on October 20, 2001, when Paul Rogers and a Lee Steele double saw off the Latics 3-0 in the third tier.

If there is to be a repeat, may as well make it against another team from that part of the North West.

The sense of reality will have increased for Huerzeler when he woke across the Atlantic yesterday and checked the fixtures, released at 9am our time.

Albion start the new home campaign as they ended the last and as they started at the Amex in 2018-19 – with a visit from the Red Devils.

Fixture release day is always a slightly strange affair. It is what you make it.

Excitement for some. But also the sense of wondering how tough some games will be when they come around months from now.

When squads have been tweaked, form has been established and there might even have been changes of head coach up and down the country.

Playing United at home and Arsenal away in the first three games will throw him in at the deep end.

But, before that….

Merseyside for starters

If Huerzeler wanted to immerse himself in the history, the tradition and the old school culture of English football, then where better to start than Goodison Park?

You won’t get a more English place to kick off your time in the Prem.

This should also be Albion’s last visit with the new arena on the banks of the Mersey moving close to completion.

Goodison used to be a graveyard for Seagulls but they have taken seven points from their last three visits.

They have also won their first away league game in each of the last five seasons – at Watford, Newcastle, Burnley, Manchester United and Wolves.

Huerzeler becomes the fourth successive manager or head coach to start with an away game, after Chris Hughton at Brentford (or Charlton if we are talking league only), Graham Potter at Watford and Roberto De Zerbi, also on Merseyside and the 3-3 thriller at Anfield.

Points required

Albion will feel they can beat anybody and that any team can be a danger.

That said, September looks a chance for some handy points when they host Ipswich and Nottingham Forest on successive weekends.

South Coast hopes go on the line in similar quickfire style in late November with games at Bournemouth and at home to Adam Lallana and Southampton.

Christmas period The Premier League have pointed out that, across Christmas and New Year, arrangements will be made to allow more rest time over three of the match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match.

Unlike last season, there will be no fixture on December 24.

Albion are currently listed to host Brentford on December 26, Boxing Day.

That same fixture was problematic for many when it was played three years ago due to travel difficulties.

The following game is currently listed for Sunday, December 29, and a visit to that unhappiest of Albion hunting grounds, Villa Park.

The first weekend after the New Year festivities is NOT reserved for the FA Cup third round this season.

Instead, it will see Arsenal come to the Amex.

Midweek rounds

There are three midweek dates in the calendar this year.

They see Albion go to Fulham on December 3 and Ipswich on January 14, then host Bournemouth on February 25.

However, that does not mean more evening games won’t be added in due course away from the “midweek” slots.

How it ends

Albion’s most successful away venue is reserved until late in the season.

They go to Wolves on May 10.

While the opening fixture at Everton is set in stone in terms of time and date, so is the last game.

It takes place at Tottenham on Sunday, May 25 (4pm).

And that home debut…

Yes, the long wait for a winning home start for a new boss. . In the league, at least.

Since Taylor saw his high-flying side beat Oldham, home league debuts for Albion managers and head coaches have seen a 0-0 draw with Coventry (Martin Hinshelwood), a 4-2 defeat to Sheffield United (Steve Coppell) and a 4-1 hammering by Bristol City (Mark McGhee).

Then came a creditable 2-2 draw with Bournemouth (Dean Wilkins), a frustrating 1-1 with Bristol Rovers (Micky Adams) and a dismal 3-1 reverse to Southend (Russell Slade).

Gus Poyet met his old club in his home league debut and it ended in a 3-0 defeat to Leeds.

Oscar Garcia kicked off at the Amex with a 2-1 defeat to Derby and Sami Hyypia saw Sheffield Wednesday score the only goal on his opening day.

Chris Hughton suffered a 1-0 setback to Brentford in his home bow, Potter’s side were a bit unfortunate to only draw 1-1 with West Ham and De Zerbi saw Tottenham win 1-0.

Of those, Poyet, Adams and McGhee did at least make winning home starts in cup ties before the first league game.

But, still, there’s a little extra target for Huerzeler as the new start begins to feel a bit more real.