New Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi talks about what ‘represents’ him in football and the pride that ‘best coach of the last 30 years’ Pep Guardiola would single him out for praise.
The former Sassuolo, Benevento and Shakhtar Donetsk coach was drafted in by the Premier League club after Chelsea poached their tactician Graham Potter in September.
So far, he has overseen two wins, two draws and four defeats in the Premier League, as well as a huge 3-1 EFL Cup victory over Arsenal.
He was praised by Manchester City boss Guardiola for his possession-based approach to the sport and dedication to a precise identity.
“If you think that I consider Guardiola the best coach of the last 30 years of football, you can realise how happy that made me,” De Zerbi told Sky Sport Italia.
“I don’t know if I was counter-cultural. I don’t like to simply choose to go in the opposite direction to others, but if I am convinced it is the right path, then I will follow it with all my strength and without creating too many issues.
“It’s not that I want to be a contrarian, I just see certain things in football that represent me, that I feel that I identify with as a person, so it is easy for me to ask for those elements.”
The full Sky Sport Italia interview will be released on Thursday.
“His impact in England will be massive,” said Guardiola last month.
“The way he plays… he was counter-cultural the way he played in Italy.
“The way they played brings a lot of success in the national team. He is playing football in a different way. A team like Sassuolo is an incredible example.
“No matter the quality or players you have, if you believe 100% in the way your team wants to play, you can do it.
“It doesn’t matter the way you start. It matters the way you believe. In every place he has been.”
Guardiola is overrated, and certainly not the best coach in the last 30 years
Arrigo Sacchi is the greatest coach . Without his philosophy, Guardiola and the rest would be nothing.