There is one reason why Brighton’s Italian coach finds himself linked with a host of top jobs in Europe: he fearlessly loves to fight fire with fire. The 44-year-old native of the Lombardy city of Brescia may be employed at one of the least prestigious football locations in the English top flight, with Brighton only in the Premier League since 2017.
But that has not prevented De Zerbi steadfastly standing up for the little guy.
Always pro-active, never intimidated by the big guns, his Brighton side just love to go on the front foot and stay there.
Unai EMERY While at the controls of Sevilla, Villarreal and now Aston Villa, Emery has repeatedly assembled teams worth far more than the sum of their parts. But his spells at PSG and Arsenal were less successful. Is Villa his ideal club?
Thomas FRANK After six years of remarkable over-achievement at Brentford, the affable Dane fully deserves the chance to take up the reins at a club with European competition dimension. Adaptable, intelligent and enthusiastic.
Mikel ARTETA In January, Arteta blasted reports suggesting he could replace Xavi as Barcelona coach this summer as “fake news” and “totally untrue”. He seems far more intent on overseeing Arsenal blossom into a genuine national and international force.
Needless to say, the success De Zerbi has brought to Brighton since pitching up on the south coast in the autumn of 2022 – a fine sixth-place finish in the Premier League last term, more top-ten kudos this season and an abundance of major scalps – is testament to the Italian’s flawless system and methodology. Even the smallest details are taken into account on the training ground, players are constantly reminded not to let their standards slip, and drive and belief are religiously promoted.
Underdog t
