Brighton announce De Zerbi as new manager as ‘confident’ Tony Bloom says fans in for a treat

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom says he feels “absolutely thrilled” to make Roberto De Zerbi the club’s new manager and expects “exciting” football.

The Seagulls have brought Italian coach Zerbi in as their new boss following the departure of Graham Potter. Potter had Brighton in fourth – their best-ever Premier League position – but could not resist Chelsea.

And the managerial merry-go-round that started with Thomas Tuchel’s sacking has led to De Zerbi’s move to the Amex Stadium.

The 43-year-old was a free agent after previously working at Shakhtar Donetsk and Sassuolo, among other clubs.

Brighton chairman Bloom told his club’s official website: “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.”

Brighton technical director David Weir added that he hopes De Zerbi can help the players “continue their brilliant start to the season”.

Brighton have Roberto De Zerbi confidence

Meanwhile, deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber added more on the Brighton excitement about De Zerbi.

Barber revealed the Italian was “our number one choice from the start and the only person we spoke to“.

He added that Bloom is “constantly monitoring potential coaches” as part of Brighton’s “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,” Barber said.

New manager has big job

De Zerbi did not fulfill his work at Shakhtar Donetsk because of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

However, he won the Ukrainian Super Cup and averaged 2.17 points per game with the club.

At Sassuolo, meanwhile, De Zerbi took the Serie A club to two successive eighth-placed finishes in the Italian top flight.

What’s more, they only missed out on the Europa Conference League to Roma on goal difference in the 2020/21 campaign.

As such, the manager comes to the Premier League with an exciting reputation as an up-and-coming manager.

He will want to hit the ground running given Brighton head into the international break in fourth.

De Zerbi will want to carry on all the good work Potter created before his departure. And what better way to try to prove himself than a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.

The Reds’ high line has been exposed far too often already this season. And given Bloom has admitted his excitement about De Zerbi’s “exciting” and “courageous” football, Brighton fans will surely be looking forward to that match now.