A recent story published in the British press has revealed that Pep Guardiola told a group of Brighton players at the end of last season that their coach Roberto De Zerbi would one day become the boss of treble-winning Manchester City.
The tale dates back to May, when Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions at the Amex, home of Brighton, on the penultimate day of the season.
It had been a high-spirited occasion for both sides, as the 1-1 draw on the day meant that De Zerbi and Brighton had also confirmed their spot in a European competition for the first time in the club’s 122-year history.
Amidst the celebrations in the tunnel, Guardiola had approached three jubilant Seagulls players, nodded towards De Zerbi, who was just out of earshot and said: “That’s the next Manchester City manager,” reports the Telegraph.
Guardiola has made his thoughts about De Zerbi clear over a number of his Premier League press conferences in 2022-23, labelling the Brescia-born as “one of the most influential coaches of the last 20 years.”
Brighton currently sit sixth in the Premier League in 2023-24, just two points shy of last season’s champions after eight games. Manchester City will host De Zerbi and his team at 15.00 UK time on Saturday afternoon.