Can they finish the job? No?". Sassuolo came calling in 2018 and it was soon clear that players wanted to be part of his project. After impressing at the latter, he was lured to Ukraine to join Shakhtar, where he won the domestic Super Cup before having to leave as a result of Russia's invasion of the country. 6-keys: media/spln/soccer/reg/free/stories, at Nov 11, 2022. He will take over a Brighton side that hasn't played a match since September fourth, before Potter's departure. So far, Roberto de Zerbi's belief in bold, possession-based attacking football has been rewarded since replacing Graham Potter as head coach in September. His team followed that with two wins against Liverpool this year. The period between Roberto De Zerbi's players reporting back in stages for pre . De Zerbi's impact at Brighton has been one of the stories of the 2022-23 Premier League season. The Italian, 43, has been out of work since leaving Shakhtar in July because of the war in Ukraine. Potter left for Chelsea in early September and was subsequently sacked by them within seven months. "The players have the right skills and the characteristics, especially mentally, to play my style of football and to play brave, as I want. This makes him useful in a back four too if De Zerbi wants to return the versatile Gro back into midfield. Brighton can still improve despite Wolves result, says Roberto De Zerbi De Zerbi has signed a four-year contract at the Amex Stadium, subject to a work permit. But there are a few more elements we haven't showcased yet, and we're looking to get better at those on the training pitch and show that in the games. So I can play anywhere. They played one of the best games I have ever seen in my life." His first coaching role was with amateur Serie D side Darfo Boario in November 2013. Why Potter's magic has made him Chelsea's new man, Potter appointed Chelsea head coach on five-year deal. Who is he, and what. His tenure started with two draws and three defeats, but then they hammered Chelsea 4-1 and his vision for this team seemed to click. Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton fans can dream about qualifying for De Zerbi is known for having a possession based attacking style which fits in well for Brighton. Following his arrival in 2019, the 47-year-old had crafted the Seagulls into a side praised for their attacking, fluid passing style that brought a number of eye-catching results, including a 2-1 win at Manchester United at the start of this season. "It's an amazing, beautiful style of football and everybody loves it. Roberto De Zerbi - Wikipedia As a player, De Zerbi, 43, was a promising attacking midfielder who began on AC Milan's books before embarking on a nomadic career across 10 clubs up and down the Italian football landscape -- including Monza, Napoli and Salernitana -- and CFR Cluj in Romania. Very ambitious, honest but unstable, impatient and fiercely volcanic. For De Zerbi, football had to be played his way if it was worth doing at all. Hes adopted much of the same principles and mindsets from Potter, and the squad have reacted brilliantly in meeting his demands. Guardiola: De Zerbi is one of the most influential coaches, January Barclays Manager of the Month nominees, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard. BRIGHTON -- Roberto De Zerbi has always been a dreamer. This is the rich blueprint that De Zerbi is beginning to implement at Brighton. Even so, it is a sizeable jump from Bundesliga 2 to playing in the Premier League. Danny Welbeck might remain the favourite up top when Trossards not already taken the mantle, but is yet to score this season. When Roberto De Zerbi first took over, the pressing principles appeared a little chaotic. Solly March is the one who perhaps now possesses what Lallana used to be capable of doing up and down the wing, with a fantastic eye for a pass and an incisive, skillful presence on the ball. (Brighton held City to a 1-1 draw Wednesday in a pulsating game either side could have won.) Gaps are big enough between lines that the opposition should be more incentivized toward a slower build up through the thirds (like De Zerbi wants himself), ensuring the defensive line has plenty of space to defend high balls over the top. -> Terms of Use. "For me it's very easy to start work at Brighton because I know the work done by Potter before me," Italian De Zerbi told reporters at his official presentation. Under De Zerbi, Brighton carry the ball the 3rd most distance for every 100 touches they take. I will always have that experience, at the club and with the people.". Brighton owner Tony Bloom branded De Zerbi a "natural fit" to take the Amex Stadium club forward after Potter left for Chelsea. In between the pair of experimental fullbacks is a robust partnership between Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster two exceptional, towering, imposing defenders. "I think the right vision is to try to improve always. Lets start with a little potted, broad-brush tactical recap: about a decade ago, Spanish-style possession football what your mate down the pub still probably knows as tiki-taka was gradually supplanted by a more chaotic, aggressive game based above all on high pressing and quick transitions. Having watched that obliteration, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said "Mr. De Zerbi: wow! 8. Kozlowski arrived from Poland with a big reputation when Brighton signed the then 18-year-old from Pogon Szczecin in January 2022, for around 8million, on a contract to June 2026. "The Premier League is a great competition," De Zerbi says. Every grinning wannabe who rolls off the Uefa pro licence course wants to be Pep Guardiola. What future do Brighton's Moder, Kozlowski and Karbownik have under De But I have played on the left flank almost all season. 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De Zerbi earned rave reviews for his style of football at Sassuolo, leading them to two eighth-place finishes in Serie A, and he won last year's Ukrainian Super Cup with Shakhtar. Spotlight investigates Freddie Scappaticci who was the most notorious agent of the Troubles, American satirist, Joe Queenan, gives an insider's guide to this generation, How some debt management companies are pushing people into further financial hardship, Sue Barker meets some of the greats who have graced the famous grass courts. Roberto De Zerbi replaced Graham Potter as the manager of Brighton midway through the 2022/23 season . The team's season was postponed last year under strenuous circumstances due to the war in Ukraine also led to De Zerbi's departure by mutual consent. This meant they would be playing European football for the first time in their history. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images So as they find their footing under the Italian, Brighton continue to play well in a 4-2-3-1 formation, whilst deploying much of the same principles and mindsets from Potters time in charge. He'd spend his final five days in the country waiting for his players to be evacuated to safety until he made his passage back home to Italy, where he waited for his next challenge. Roberto De Zerbi is Brighton's new head coach after signing a four-year contract with the Seagulls. Later he'd say he jumped at the opportunity too soon, nervous that it might be his only shot at managing in the topflight. That was incredible. Speaking to The Athletic two years ago about comparisons with Sergio Busquets, the deep-lying Barcelona and Spain playmaker, Moder said: Im more of a box-to-box player, not a typical No 6, like he (Busquets) is. "Even in Italy at Sassuolo there were many times big clubs were linked with him - Roma especially were trying to take him. Brighton have installed Roberto De Zerbi as Graham Potter's successor. Give the ball away and youre dead. He says: Thats my position, in the middle, but I can also play on the left side and right side. Photos: Getty Images). For Brighton the role can be fulfilled by a rotating cast of at least half a dozen Alexis Mac Allister, Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma, Adam Lallana, Facundo Buonanotte, Jeremy Sarmiento who, whatever their starting position, are most comfortable with ball at feet, driving into the threequarter spaces. Mission accomplished, then.). One player may lull the opposition into pressing harder by pausing on the ball and delaying the action, and Brighton remain fully comfortable in playing their way out and exposing the gaps. But in the Premier League at least, it has not been done as audaciously or deliberately as this. "Normally, I'm stronger with the players when we are winning," he says. The Italian now has two weeks to settle into Brighton and organise his backroom staff with the Premier League players on an international break. Can Rodman, Smith or Williams fill in? At Lech Poznan, Moder was a progressive passer and ball-carrier. Pre-season will allow De Zerbi to assess how much more time Moder needs to get fully back up to speed and how well-equipped he is to cope with his brand of football. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. In the end, that is also educational. "He's got an eye for fine detail, with every single pass and movement. But that 2-4-4 is most likely to hold true, with the quartet of the centre-backs and central midfielders in incredibly close proximity to work their short passing one-touch magic. Thanks for reading and see you soon! "De Zerbi doesn't play on the pitch. section: | slug: roberto-de-zerbi-joins-brighton-and-hove-albion-what-to-know-about-seagulls-new-manager | sport: soccer | route: article_single.us | In fact, the most encouraging aspect to the Italians management style has been his ability to not change all that much from Graham Potters reign. This has been a beautiful concoction of brilliance from the Graham Potter days, finding a way to get the best out of Caicedos fantastic shuttling energy without limiting him to a strictly defensive role. "Language is so important, not only in tactical instruction but also empathy and developing those connections with players.". Given Potter's team were hardly shrinking violets in seeking possession it is a bold intention. He was Brighton's first choice to replace Graham Potter, who quit to take over from Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. "Potter has worked very well - but I'm not Potter," he said. De Zerbi says his best friends would describe him as "Crazy, honest" He pauses. Three wins from nine isnt exactly what De Zerbi would have dreamt of, but it also happens to be three wins from the last four in the league, and an exciting league cup win against Arsenal to add to the tally. It makes crowds nervous. There have been some remarkable results, including their recent 3-0 trouncing of Arsenal at the Emirates that spelled the end of the Gunners' title challenge. After Graham Potter's departure to Chelsea, Brighton have named Roberto De Zerbi as their new coach. Alexis Mac Allister tells the story of Brighton getting a half-time dressing down from manager Roberto De Zerbi. Pervis Estupin has been a more obvious starter down the left, and operates like an out-and-out wing-back as he gallops and gallivants up the left wing. ", How Mac Allister learned about De Zerbi's scary winning mentality (1:58), Passion, honesty and dreaming big: How Roberto De Zerbi took Brighton into the Europa League, Source: Pulisic agrees to join Milan from Chelsea, Sources: U.S. goalkeeper Steffen can leave City, Chelsea sign Jackson; Loftus-Cheek joins Milan, Atleti go back to original badge after fan vote. De Zerbi was the only candidate Brighton spoke to. His creativity and attacking thrust isnt quite what it used to be, but he remains a hard-working, boisterous presence to have in the squad. He's really improved a lot of players -- he gives everybody the opportunity to get on the pitch and show what they can do. And, in a way, he was a player hopelessly out of his time: a pure No 10 coming through at the turn of the century, just as they were disappearing from the game. The 43-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Amex Stadium, replacing Graham . Roberto De Zerbi's arrival at Brighton has been one of the stories of the 2022-23 season. The praise proffered to De Zerbi has been fulsome, though laced with cautionary admiration. Read about our approach to external linking. "I met him when he said goodbye to the Shakhtar Donetsk players," said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. WHAT NEXT FOR BRIGHTON? I think he's everything that a football club wants [in] a manager," Brighton legend Glenn Murray (103 goals in 259 appearances) tells ESPN. And he told me that if I need he will be very happy to help me - but of course, not in the match we are playing against them!". Before taking on the role, he hadn't any crystalised expectations of the task awaiting him. Despite losing their sporting director Dan Ashworth to Newcastle United, Potter and almost his entire staff -- including recruitment director Kyle Macaulay -- Brighton's good decision making continues. The first part, European football, has been realised, but there's still time for more, with or without him. "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.". ", It's true that De Zerbi's passion on the sidelines has perhaps gone too far at times this season, with two red cards and four yellows to his name. ", The fans have grown to love him too; so do the former pros. "The difference has been Roberto," Mac Allister tells ESPN. Postponements due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and rail strikes have seen fixtures against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace moved. It was bad also to leave something that was going very well. "When you're working in other countries, you're only focused on your team and players," De Zerbi says. But he struggled to break through under Potter and Brighton were prepared to offload him, however he was hampered by injury during a loan-to-buy move to Greek side Olympiacos in 2021-22 which did not work out. Roberto De Zerbi was appointed head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion on 18 September 2022, replacing Graham Potter. A centre-forward might remain the priority despite Brightons investment from the summer, although De Zerbi has shown a desire to experiment with the likes of Enciso and Sarmiento late on in matches. I spoke to Pep on Sunday evening, yes. New to Serie A, it was a struggle for Benvenento to perform under De Zerbi, but his attacking style and eye for transfers began to be noticed leading to his move to Sassuolo in Serie A. In that sense, Moder is more of a replacement for Enock Mwepu, the Zambia captain forced to retire last October, at the age of 24, due to a hereditary heart condition detected while he was on international duty. The team is certainly a good one but they're ahead of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool in the table having scored 11 goals and allowed five, a pace that will be difficult to keep up when the schedule gets tougher. More exciting results and tactics are destined to follow, as De Zerbi now works toward a successive top-half finish for the club. The question now is when and where might he fit into the first-team picture, with two years still to run on the contract he signed on arrival from Lech Poznan back home for 6million ($7.6m) at the end of the summer 2020 transfer window. The left-sided defender impressed during his season long loan with the Seagulls and Albion were keen to make the deal permanent. According to reports, Roberto De Zerbi verbally committed his future to Brighton after Tottenham 'pushed' to appoint him as Antonio Conte's successor. It was the Brighton project that tempted him back into management and to the Premier League. De Zerbi has never shied away from using the Belgian as a lone centre-forward up top, taking advantage of his explosive running power and clinical finishing. "I think we're on the same wavelength and I'm sure we can do it well. "It's a tough, tough competition. Since taking charge of Brighton in late September, Roberto De Zerbi has picked up right where Graham Potter left off, continuing the teams excellence in and out of possession. Given the already existing positional awareness of players like Dunk, Webster and Colwill, not to mention the commanding presence they naturally impose, its often hard to find a way past the Seagulls. The injury, sustained in a goalless draw at home to Norwich City, was very complex and severe, according to Brightons technical director David Weir. His availability is a major factor but there is also an attraction in the work he did with Sassuolo. Solly March is a fantastic crosser of the ball down the other wing, and an incredibly skillful player who can create his own sense of space for himself before delivering. It's black with gold lettering reading "Goalfather" embroidered across the centre of it. Brighton will build up almost one third and one line at a time, and do not want to rush the ball forward if its not the right moment. I recognize the value of diving deeper beyond the first glance, make a commitment toward research-backed insights, and, above all, I emphasize fun. After officially leaving Shakhtar in July 2022, he turned down a job offer from Bologna out of respect for Sinisa Mihajlovic. Formerly of Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, the 43 year old will have some big shoes to fill at Brighton but he is a good pick to keep the good part of Potter's system while elevating what Brighton can do. Like most top teams, Brighton play out from their goalkeeper, Robert Snchez. Talk to others at the club, though, and they put the praise at De Zerbi's door. But I played 20 games there. They were up 1-0, but De Zerbi was furious.