Leeds United’s Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the managerial appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, subject to the granting of a work permit.
Graham Potter left the Amex Stadium for Chelsea on September 8 after over three years in charge of the Seagulls. The 47-year-old had guided them to their highest ever top-flight finish (ninth) last term and left Brighton in fourth place with 13 points from their first six games.
De Zerbi flew to Sussex on Friday and watched a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Amex. Following his appointment, chairman Tony Bloom told Brighton & Hove Albion's 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.”
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The Italian started his managerial career in the fourth tier of Italian football after a nomadic playing career that saw him feature for no fewer than 13 different clubs.
After eight months with Serie D outfit Darfo Boario, De Zerbi took over Foggia in the third tier in July 2014, where he would spend the next two seasons.
His first head coach role in the top-flight was unsuccessful as he was sacked after just two months by Palmero. He then suffered relegation with Benevento in 2017/18 although his spell at Sassuolo marked an upturn in fortunes in his managerial career.
He spent three years at Sassuolo – imbuing them with a possession-based style that helped propel them to a top eight finish in back-to-back seasons.
De Zerbi spent last season at Shakhtar Donetsk and won the Ukrainian Super Cup with a victory over Dynamo Kyiv in September 2021. He left the club in July due to the situation regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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