De Zerbi reveals Guardiola's seal of approval for Brighton job; ex-Seagull talks about Italian coach

Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi says he received a stamp of approval from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for choosing the Seagulls.

The 43-year-old Italian insisted he chose Brighton over a host of other managerial opportunities, and said he was delighted to succeed Graham Potter with the Seagulls.

Brighton may have found a strong philosophical match with Roberto De Zerbi

Brighton vice-chairman Paul Barber has called De Zerbi a “natural candidate” to take the club forward, after Potter left for Chelsea.

Barber and owner Tony Bloom insisted De Zerbi was on a shortlist to take the helm, with the club and the new manager believing their qualities and vision aligned.

"Brighton strongly wanted me as a coach, and their style of play is very similar to my idea of ​​football," said De Zerbi.

"We met right after we started talking. Of course, other teams were interested in me but I'm happy to be here.

"I think we're on the same page and I'm sure we can do that well. I spoke to Pep (Guardiola) on Sunday night, yes. He's very happy I'm on board here.

"He told me very good things about the club. And he told me that if I needed it he would be very happy to help me - but of course not in the game we are playing against them!"

Former Brighton midfielder Andrea Orlandi is very excited about De Zerbi's appointment.

"Roberto was considered some kind of genius when he was a player, there was a lot of hype around him, but for some reason he never realized his potential," Orlandi told the site club official.

"As a coach, there's that same 'genius' story about him, and from his early days at Foggia, you could tell he didn't have that traditional Italian mentality as a manager.

"For him, it has always been about passing and crossing pressure lines through combinations. He is also very adaptable.

"He really is a 'Guardiola' type manager, so I think he's perfect for Brighton's style and way of playing. I think the club are in good hands with him."< /p>

Orlandi added: "When he was there (Sassuolo) they played some of the best football in Serie A.

"He then took the big step to Shakhtar Donetsk, was successful, but we all know what unfortunately happened in Ukraine.

"Now he has his big chance in the Premier League and you will continue to see Brighton play as they did under Graham Potter.

"It's all about getting the ball on the ground and playing attractive football, attacking football, that's what we want, and that's what we all love at Brighton!

"I have been very impressed with the evolution of the team over the seasons.

"The results this season have been absolutely magnificent and the football produced has been second to none - with some remarkable results including victory at Old Trafford.

"Now they have a new coach and, as I said, the style is not going to change. Obviously he will apply his own way of training, of coaching, but the idea will be the same.

"The team will continue to process the ball well and will be very exciting and attacking, so I'm really looking forward to it."