Roberto De Zerbi is the most influential manager of the last 20 years, according to Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola takes his Manchester City squad to face De Zerbi's Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday, with attention turning towards the FA Cup and Champions League finals having won the Premier League title at the weekend.
Since replacing Graham Potter earlier this season, De Zerbi has guided Brighton into Europe next season, with a point needed from their final two games to qualify for the Europa League. Even without that, their superior goal difference against last-day opponents Aston Villa should see them avoid the Europa Conference League.
ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola warns Man City players after Premier League celebrations
Guardiola has not hidden his admiration of De Zerbi in recent weeks, and even after City's hard-fought 3-1 win at the Etihad earlier in the season. Speaking before Wednesday's game, Guardiola offered his highest praise yet of De Zerbi, describing his Brighton side as unique, and akin to a Michelin-star restaurant.
"Pay attention to what I'm going to say. I'm pretty convinced I'm right in what I'm saying, I think Roberto is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years," Guardiola asserted.
"There is no team playing the way they play, it's unique. I have the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great – I didn’t expect them to do it in this short space of time. He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents, he monopolises the ball in a way it hasn’t been for a long time.
"Everybody is involved, the keeper is like a holding midfielder. If you don’t play at a high level he can do whatever he wants against you. They deserve completely the compliments and the success they have. One of the teams I try to learn a lot from.
"Is unique, like Michelin star restaurant, unique. In Catalonia there was El Bulli with Ferran Adria, the best cook for many years and he changed the cuisine and Brighton are playing with something special. The way they move and it’s an incredible challenge to prepare for the two finals."
Pressed on what Guardiola has learned from De Zerbi this season, the City boss went into detail, saying: "The time to take decisions, Brighton is the master of passing the ball to the man free, but when to pass to the free man. They move at the right time, this is the best in the world, for the right tempo and the free man.
"Part of how aggressive they are with the ball is the same as Graham Potter, he instils something really good in resiliency. Man to man, doesn't matter what happens. But the way they do the process and use the keeper, they don't pass the ball after the movement of the opponent. When the opponent moves, I pass the ball. This in the right tempo, they are the best."
ALSO READ:
