Roberto De Zerbi was known during his playing career as “the little genius”. Given that his days as a left-footed No 10 were spent almost entirely in Italy but outside Serie A, such a billing may appear generous. Perhaps fittingly, though, two coaches regularly referred to in similar glowing terms have helped the 43-year-old on his path to the Premier League.
De Zerbi takes charge of Brighton for the first time on Saturday at Liverpool appreciative of Pep Guardiola’s and Marcelo Bielsa’s inspiration and assistance. When the Italian was sacked by Palermo in 2016 after less than three months, his prospects looked grim. His dismissal had been sparked by seven consecutive Serie A defeats and Coppa Italia elimination by second-tier Spezia. A message sent to Bielsa, one of his idols, got the response he needed.
