Roberto De Zerbi reveals Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called him up to offer advice and congratulations on his Premier League job at Brighton, while he sees ‘similarities’ with Sassuolo.
Brighton had started the season very well indeed and are currently fourth in the Premier League, which is why Chelsea poached their manager Graham Potter to replace Thomas Tuchel, leaving them needing to find a replacement.
They have hired former Sassuolo, Benevento and most recently Shakhtar Donetsk coach De Zerbi, who was out of contract following the invasion of Ukraine, which ended their season prematurely.
“I’m very happy to be here, I’m very proud to be the new head coach. I want to thank the club, I am studying every single player and hope to speak English by January,” said the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss.
“Brighton was a team that really wanted me, has a style of football very similar to the one I have in mind. I had other options, but as soon as Brighton called, I was convinced that I could continue the direction they were already on. We got along well straight away.”
De Zerbi and Manchester City tactician Guardiola have famously complimented each other on their approaches to football, so that is what Brighton fans can expect too.
“For me, working at Brighton is made easier by what Potter did before me. There are many players with characteristics suited to my idea of football, they also have the kind of mentality and courage in pressing that I like to see. Clearly, I am taking on a team that is fourth in the table, but that is just further motivation for me.
“As for Guardiola’s football, I think Pep is an unreachable coach, because he proved it in England, Germany and Spain.
“Guardiola has contacted me, he’s very happy and spoke highly of this club, said he’s always ready to help me if I should need anything – except for the game we play against each other!”
De Zerbi was asked what his vision of success will be for the current campaign with the Seagulls.
“In my view, improving the players from last season and to finish in the top 10 would be the idea. We have many talented players, I watched many of their recent games, studied all the players individually. The team knows what to do on the pitch, they have a very clear identity. Perfection does not exist in football, there is always something to improve.
“It is also one thing to see them on television and another to train them. I have something new to bring in mind, without transforming anything, but my objective is to keep improving.”
The club hierarchy confirmed that De Zerbi was the first and only choice for the role after Chelsea swooped for Potter.
“This is a big challenge for me in the biggest league in the world, it makes me proud to be at a club that hasn’t been in the Premier League for a long time, but already has clear ideas. I come here with humility, but also with my character, to do what I am capable of, bringing with me my experiences, what I know and ready to learn as well.
“I think there are talented players here and we can work well here.”
De Zerbi took Sassuolo to two eighth-place finishes and only missed out on the Conference League to Roma on goal difference.
The Neroverdi are a small but well-funded club run very intelligently, so can be compared with Brighton and Hove Albion.
“I do see similarities, also in terms of the players, the mentality of the club and owner, in the attitude of the players too. Clearly, the Premier League and Serie A are different, but as clubs they are similar.”
He left Sassuolo looking for a new challenge with Shakhtar Donetsk, which ended after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
De Zerbi earned praise for his time at Shakhtar Donetsk, especially as he refused to leave Kyiv until all his players had first been taken to safety.
“The decision to go to Ukraine was a bit unusual, leaving Serie A for Shakhtar, but I wanted that for the club, the players they had and the chance to participate in the Champions League.
“Naturally, the last thing I expected was the epilogue to that experience in February. It was bad because of the war, but also because I had to leave a team that was just starting to find its shape.
“I bring that experience with me, I bring with me the dignity of the people of Ukraine and the people I worked with.”
Former Milan analyst and Andriy Shevchenko’s assistant manager for the Ukraine national team, Andrea Maldera, has joined De Zerbi’s staff at Brighton.