Brighton majority owner and chairman Tony Bloom has admitted he thought Roberto De Zerbi would be a good appointment for the club, but didn’t quite realise the immediate impact he would have in the Premier League.
After leading Brighton to their first ever European finish last season, De Zerbi has been touted as one of the most exciting coaches in the Premier League, if not across the whole of Europe.
Coming up to a year on from his appointment at the Amex Stadium, the Brighton owner sat down for an in-depth interview, during which he explained why he thinks De Zerbi has proved to be such a popular appointment.
“Roberto coming in has been pretty amazing. He is an elite head coach. His track record, when we looked into it in a lot of detail, was exceptionally good in the latter years at Shakhtar Donetsk and at Sassuolo, but I didn’t quite realise the impact he would have when he came in.
“I think it is very difficult for everyone, whether it’s a player or a coach coming into the football club. He has been hugely influential for so many players, and he is so good at improving individual players.”
Bloom then went on to explain that it is his close relationship and ability to get the best out of his players that makes De Zerbi such an impressive coach.
“Across the board, they were all very, very good players. Graham [Potter] also did an exceptional job in terms of raising the levels, raising the standards of the players, but Roberto has taken it that one step forward,” he said.
“And the quality of the play, the risk-taking at the right times to create opportunities and his tactical abilities are superb, so we are very fortunate to have him at the club. We love having him at the club, so long may that continue.”
De Zerbi and Brighton are set visit Manchester United immediately after the international break, before hosting AEK Athens in what will be their first ever European encounter next Thursday evening.