Roberto De Zerbi revealed he has no intention of leaving Brighton at the end of this season and was pleased to hear praise from Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
The 43-year-old Italian coach took over at the Seagulls back in September following Graham Potter’s ill-fated move to Chelsea, and he’s quickly settled in on the south coast, guiding the team to FA Cup semi-finals and impressive Premier League wins over Chelsea and Liverpool.
De Zerbi is now one of the hottest names in the manager market and has already been linked with the jobs at Inter and Roma, two clubs who could be looking for a new head coach in the summer.
Speaking to Sport Mediaset, De Zerbi first looked ahead to Brighton’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
“I can’t wait to play the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, I will try to enjoy this day tomorrow at Wembley.
“Here the FA Cup is very important, it is given a different value compared to our Coppa Italia. 36,000 people will come from Brighton, we hope to do everything to make it go well.”
He spoke about how well he’s settled into life with the Seagulls.
“I am lucky to work here. I found a group of players already used to playing with courage, already used to changing form within the match and then obviously I put a bit of my own into it because it’s clear that I struggle to mimic others.
“Here too I had to be myself and I must say that I had a very important response from the players. I am convinced that the players count more than the coach. The coaches can give organisation, confidence, mentality, style of play and more, but then the results always come from the players.”
The Italian coach was asked about Pep Guardiola’s suggestion that Brighton were the best team at building up from the back.
“I am also pleased because he has won something. I’m pleased to receive his compliments, but I think as long as Guardiola is coaching it will be difficult to do anything with the ball better than he does.”
De Zerbi was also asked about the market rumours and if he’d be in talks with Inter and Roma.
“My history shows, I don’t move depending on important or less important offers. I haven’t spoken to anyone, but I think that in this moment for my path, for my life, it’s important to stay here.
“I had to leave Shakhtar after eight months and I did it reluctantly and to leave Brighton after the same amount of time would seem to me like not getting the job done.
“My will is to stay, then I will have to talk to the club and discuss what they expect, what they want, what their ambitions are. I won’t put my hand on it, but my will is to stay.”
The 43-year-old Italian coach gave his thoughts on the Premier League.
“The Premier League I think is the best league in Europe in general. Serie A is very tactical and very difficult to prepare for because of the tactical difficulties. The German league is also very tactical and with many good coaches while the French league is very physical.
“The English league is a mix of everything, it’s a very physical league where there are very strong players, the best around. You find teams that are tactically prepared and difficult to play against like Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, or Fulham. It’s also very fascinating because of the crowd.”
De Zerbi spoke about his love for Milan.
“I grew up at Milan, I lived three years at Milanello and my football education comes from Milan, the real one, my football education comes from the Milan of Baresi, of Tassotti, of Maldini, of Boban, of Savicevic and of Costacurta.
“I’m a Brescia fan, but I’m grateful to Milan for what they gave me and how they brought me up. There is always an eye on them.”
He touched on his plans for the future.
“I don’t live for my career or what I have to win. I want to feel good about myself and feel gratified with my work. I have received a lot from football, but I have also given a lot. On the scales we are equal, and I want to enjoy myself.
“I don’t want to move from Brighton and then we’ll see what happens, also because sooner or later I will have to move. I’d like to go back to Italy one day, but I’d like to experience other things abroad, one in Germany and one in Brazil.”
Finally, De Zerbi reiterated his happiness with Brighton.
“Apart from the climate, I like everything about Brighton. I’m living a dream work-wise. I’m enjoying myself, I came from a very sad end with Shakhtar and maybe right now I’m enjoying this new experience more than in the past.
“I like everything, I like the league, I like my team and I like the way the English understand football. I feel good at the club and the results are coming too, I can’t ask for more.”