Brighton reveal a ‘very exciting’ new manager in Roberto De Zerbi following the departure of Graham Potter.
The 43-year-old has been at the top of Brighton’s list to replace Graham Potter, who left for Chelsea earlier this month, however the Italian has been attracting interest from other clubs too thanks to his impressive record.
Former England international Adam Lallana has joined the club’s coaching staff in the interim, supporting former Norwich star Andrew Crofts in his role as caretaker manager at the Seagulls.
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the club’s new head coach! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/tNoNZfFaxQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 18, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the club’s new head coach on a four-year contract, subject to the granting of a work permit.
The 43-year-old Italian agreed final contractual terms with the club late on Sunday afternoon, having first met Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and David Weir in London earlier this week.
He flew into Sussex for the first time on Friday night and watched a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Amex on Saturday afternoon.
Chairman Tony Bloom said, “I am absolutely thrilled Roberto has agreed to become our new head coach. Roberto’s teams play an exciting and courageous brand of football, and I am confident his style and tactical approach will suit our existing squad superbly.”
Technical director David Weir said, “Roberto has shown his undoubted ability with his work in Italy and Ukraine, and what he achieved at Sassuolo certainly stands out.
“In his short spell with Shakhtar he enjoyed further success, leading the club to cup success and topping the Ukrainian league before the war brought an abrupt halt to his time there.
“We are delighted to welcome Roberto and we look forward to introducing him to our squad as well as providing all the support he needs to introduce his coaching philosophy and help the players continue their brilliant start to the season.”
Deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber added, “We looked at a range of excellent candidates but Roberto was our number one choice from the start and the only person we spoke to.
“It’s no secret our chairman is constantly monitoring potential coaches, both here in our domestic leagues, throughout Europe and across the world as part of our succession planning work.
“We feel Roberto is the ideal cultural and technical fit for Brighton & Hove Albion, and the right person to continue the club’s progress and work with this outstanding group of players.”
Roberto cut his teeth in coaching in the Italian lower leagues, with Darfo Boario and Foggia. Spells in Serie A with Palermo and Benevento followed, before he became coach of Sassuolo, where his attacking style and possession-based approach really caught the eye.
He led the small Emilian club to consecutive eighth-place finishes in Serie A, before accepting an offer to join Shakhtar Donetsk. His time in Ukraine was cut short by the Russian invasion, but not before he’d led the club to the Ukrainian Super Cup, and he left with the club top of the first division.
Once the necessary work permit is processed, Roberto will be Albion’s first Italian head coach. Contracts with his coaching team have also been agreed, subject to work permits, with the intention the group will be in place for Albion’s match at Anfield against Liverpool on Saturday week.
As a mark of respect to HM Queen Elizabeth II, the club has delayed Roberto’s formal introduction to the media until Tuesday afternoon.
Twitter users gave their thoughts as Brighton reveal a ‘very exciting’ new manager in Roberto De Zerbi…
My manager 😍 pic.twitter.com/bfpPF7WIeT
— Brighton Bubble (@BrightonBubble) September 18, 2022
@PremLeaguePanel: Tony Bloom might be the model football club owner. Losing Potter out of the blue but then reacting by appointing a coach who will ensure minimal drop-off & also suit the technical footballers that are at the club. What an appointment.
@BHAFC_Redi: Get innnnnnnn
@BhaHarvey: WE ACTUALLY UPGRADED 😭😭😭
@Brightonfan: Delighted, absolutely delighted with this. Welcome to the Albion, Roberto!!
@Annekabhafc: Welcome! now we can concentrate on continuing our season the way it has started! In Bloom we trust!
@AJ_BHAFC: When he picks the right team
And they play like a dream that’s De Zerbiiiiiiiii!!!!
#BHAFC
@FTM1042: Judging a manager before he’s actually walked through the door Is pathetic and typical of some modern day football fans
@BHAFCIOU: Great news!! From what I hear about him he seems like a good fit! Exciting times ahead! In Tony we trust! UTA
@GrantWP: Welcome to our club Roberto. That’s your club, the players’ club, Tony’s club and the fans’ club. Up The Albion!
@louisehersee: Just gonna finish my pizza in celebration.
@embleton01: Superb appointment from Brighton. He deserves a shot in the Premier League 👏👏
@Jamie270: Really good appointment that. Sassuolo were so good to watch under him at times.
@GeorgeCScouting: Wow. This could be incredible.
@TimE1987: Welcome Roberto! Very exciting times!!!
@TBowdery27: Great appointment. His teams are always a joy to watch. I particularly enjoyed his Sassuolo team for two glorious seasons
@pstionalplay: Aww this is really exciting! The tactical versatility we are witnessing at EPL is just crazy.
@energizees1: From what I have read about him and the way he wants football to be played I’m very happy with this appointment #RobertoDeZerbi #BHAFC 🔵
@dinesy1985: Welcome Roberto De Zerbi; feels like the right choice and look forward to seeing how he takes us forward #bhafc
@mrmichaelbarton: Gutted, I read they was after ole the other day. He’ll have to continue coaching his kids under 14s side 😩😂
@Brightonfan: Our project hasn’t stopped and we will continue building for the future under De Zerbi. A massive statement this and now we can draw the line under Potter and his band of snakes. (Apart from Bruno) #bhafc
@joeythorpe96: The Premier League isn’t ready for De Zerbi ball! 🇮🇹🤩 I’m super excited to see how this goes. Let’s all get behind him and continue our amazing journey! 🔵⚪️ #bhafc
@Gullseye73: A cracking appointment, let’s hope he can build this squad into a European place come May. #ForzaRoberto
Get ready for touchline antics the likes of which we have not seen since Gus was in the dugout #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/tjHPmtCosc
— We Are Brighton (@wearebrighton) September 18, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login