Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admits he decided to become a coach after ‘wasting’ his career as a football player and admits he ‘changed everything’ at the club after replacing Graham Potter.
Brighton appointed the ex-Sassuolo boss in September. He has won 13 of his 25 games in charge, reaching the FA Cup semis.
De Zerbi first left Italy in 2021, signing for Ukraine’s side Shakhtar Donetsk, but his spell at the cub ended with Russia’s invasion only a few months after his appointment.
“In footballing terms, I didn’t complete the job. At a human level, I was left astonished,” the Italian tactician told Gazzetta.
“I knew nothing about war and what it means to flee from one day to another. One accepts it because he’s obliged, but you can’t understand whether it’s true or a nightmare. By watching the TV, you know it’s true.
“I believe that luck comes back if one behaves well in life. It didn’t go well in Ukraine, but I behaved well so I received such an important and prestigious call [from Brighton],” he continued.
“I accepted for two reasons, first: I had studied the team and I liked it even if it was a bit far from my ideas, second, the first meeting with the President and sporting director in London lasted five hours. It made me understand many things.
“This Brighton side is the most similar team to me, the one with whom I am more in sync.”
What has impressed him about the club?
“There isn’t too much mess, and they give me the freedom to work as I want and need,” admitted RDZ.
“My staff members, Andrea Maldera and Marcello Quinto, and I watched four or five Brighton games each before joining. We listed the pros and cons and took the decision.”
However, English football wasn’t appealing to De Zerbi before he signed for the Seagulls.
“It wasn’t attractive, but when I arrived, it was love at first sight,” he said.
“I am lucky to be in such a strong team in the Premier League. Luckily, I replaced a coach who had done a great job. I changed everything with time, but the team knew how to stay on the pitch and work.
“The real secret is the experienced players we have here. Lewis Dunk, to me, is one of the best five center-backs in the World. Pascal Gross, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Adam Lallana, Solly March, Jason Steele. Brighton shouldn’t be worried when I go, but when this group of players will leave or retire.”
De Zerbi was a talented football player, but never played for top-tier clubs and never made his Italy debut, only making four appearances with the Azzurri U20 squad. Why did he decide to become a coach?
“When I realized I had wasted my career as a footballer,” he claimed.
“I think I had fun for two or three years in a career that lasted 14 years. When I started coaching, it was like a second life to me, and I knew the mistakes I had made. One thing I like is managing a player who may look tricky. I was the same as a footballer and I remember being more efficient when I found coaches who knew how to deal with me.”
De Zerbi is now one of the most appreciated coaches in Italy and the UK, so much so Pep Guardiola has recently praised him, saying that he is ‘changing’ Premier League football.
“I’ve been a coach for 10 years and I am getting good results, so praise comes from everywhere,” said the Italian tactician when asked about Guardiola’s claims.
“I don’t want to change anything, I do what I can, which is to leave my mark on the team. I think I’ve made it here, but players deserve the praise. I want to have fun and do things my way.”
How does he feel in Brighton off the pitch?
“I love Brighton, even if I don’t go out much. I’d like to improve my English. What you study in Italy is totally different from what you find here, and this affects me.
“I have a translator, so players understand me on the pitch, but I still don’t have the relationship I’d like to have because of the language. I’d be glad to visit the city, but I have no time.”
