The brilliant manager of Brighton is also an innovator and a perfectionist, making Roberto De Zerbi the ideal choice to succeed Pep Guardiola at Man City.
The Italian is reinventing football and would be even better equipped to alter the dynamic at the Etihad.
Roberto De Zerbi made his first trip to the Etihad Stadium almost a year ago.
He replaced Graham Potter, who had been sought out by Chelsea due to his stellar record with the Seagulls, and arrived under some pressure after earning just two points from his first four matches.
Graeme Souness had previously criticized De Zerbi for having seven jobs in nine years and no experience in the Premier League, saying the Italian was just brushing up on his Brighton knowledge online.
Even though De Zerbi’s Brighton team suffered a second loss to champion Manchester City, this time by a score of 3-1, Pep Guardiola gave him his blessing.
Guardiola said, “The game was one of the toughest we could have faced because they propose a type of game that I would say a few teams are not used to.
“Brighton’s play is outstanding.
I have a lot of respect for Roberto and their playing style.
The players and I both felt how challenging it was.
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Guardiola often flatters his opponents after City wins, but this time he wasn’t exaggerating in the slightest, and he had seen signs of what was about to happen from this most gifted and visionary of coaches.
Brighton thrashed Potter’s Chelsea 4-1 in their subsequent match, barely faltering on the way to sixth place in the Premier League and their first-ever qualification for Europe.
De Zerbi’s stock has increased as a result, and it won’t be long before a bigger club is interested in signing him as well. And given that Guardiola’s contract expires in 2025, there is a good chance that club will be Man City.
Man City may need to find Guardiola’s replacement in the ensuing two years.
GOAL explains why Italian De Zerbi is the best candidate to succeed Guardiola when the time comes, as the Italian gets set to take on City on Saturday.
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