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[Albion] Roberto De Zerbi - JOINS AS NEW HEAD COACH (4 year contract)



Javeaseagull

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 22, 2014
2,866
Deep down does he seem a Barber or Bloom man? Nope, got the job because there was little else available when GPott walked.

He'll be gone in the summer.
Couldn’t disagree more you will be surprised to hear! I think he is exactly what they are looking for. He is off the wall, out there and all those things. Most of all his teams are exciting to watch. Personally I think TB and PB can’t believe their luck.
 






Terry Butcher Tribute Act

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2013
3,753
Couldn’t disagree more you will be surprised to hear! I think he is exactly what they are looking for. He is off the wall, out there and all those things. Most of all his teams are exciting to watch. Personally I think TB and PB can’t believe their luck.
About a month has passed since that and I've heard enough noises from TB and PB to think he might stick about after all
 


Swansman

Pro-peace
May 13, 2019
22,320
Sweden
Where?

Neither of the Manchester clubs will change manager
Nor will Arsenal
Newcastle might, but they'll probably go for a proven 'name'
Liverpool might, but I'm not sure they'll go for RDZ
Outside chance of Spuds, but his countryman in post right now might put him off
Chelsea won't take another punt on a Brighton manager with a relatively limited track record of success
Fulham/Brentford would look like a sideways move at best – and anyone else would be a downgrade

So no PL move, then.
Real Madrid? Carlo is probably off to be Brazil coach, but I'm pretty sure they won't go for RDZ as a replacement
Barca? Same – not enough experience/success
Germany/France?
Italian teams seem to be doing well in Europe – a big ambition for our Roberto – but I'm not sure he wants to move away from the riches of the PL
A national team?

So where?

My money is on Manchester City – eventually. But not this summer.
Agree he is unlikely to move anywhere in the summer. More (but still very limited) risk of him walking because he is angry about something than some club actually poaching him. It is too soon. 8 wins in 19 PL games is good but too few games and not quite on a level where FC Barcelona are going throw Xavi out the window to bring in De Zerbi. These clubs are going to want another season of good/decent results and good/decent football before chasing him down.

While it is unlikely, it is not impossible though (and the risk increases tenfold if Brighton go to CL). Bayern Munich and PSG are two clubs not afraid of making somewhat unexpected manager appoinments. Tottenham are very unpredictable and appear to make a lot of gut feeling choices when it comes to managers. Chelsea could maybe be ruled out for the reasons you mention.

In Italy it is probably a good thing that RDZ has no horse in the race. He's not joining Foggia in the third or fourth division.
Juventus fans and players might hate Allegri but he gets them decent results and they have no money and no board and no nothing and historically speaking RDZ is the opposite of what they look for in a manager (they want a cold, calculated fascist).

Most of the other Serie A top clubs are unlikely to make changes (but it is Italy so you never know) but he's ambitious and like everyone else he likes money, so why he'd take the £3-4m to coach Inter or Milan instead of sticking around in England waiting for £10m in a top six team just does not seem like a clever career move.

I think maybe the biggest threat in Europe in regards of poaching this summer could be Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone is the best paid coach in the world and his temper and attitude is very dezerbian, something which numerous times has been something the Atletico fans fall in love with. If Atletico want to pay Roberto £2m a month to live in a warm country and coach a competitive, well-run Champions League team, it is needless to say it would be very difficult for him to turn that down.

Most likely he'll just stick around. I don't think City will be his next club though. Pep is likely to be around in City for longer than De Zerbi in Brighton, and when Pep leaves they will no doubt have a look at a bunch of other high profile managers as well.
 


5Ways Gull

È quello che è
Feb 2, 2009
1,237
Fiveways, Brighton
We have a very good chance of Europe, almost certain to finish top half and we are in the semi final of the FA Cup which is a great season. I think previous managers would have been happy with that, but what I love about RdZ is if that's the extent of it he will probably be furious.

I am one of the oldie, grateful for anything, easily pleased fans, (I spent most of yesterday morning fretting about how humiliating it would be to lose yesterday). What I love is the belief he has in what the club can achieve. That is what sets him apart from other recent managers.
 




Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
53,624
Goldstone
This is the real shift from Potter to De Zerbi in my mind. Potter seemed to always be held back by what our history said we should be as a club, De Zerbi is all about the promise of the future.

I read that and thought yep, that seems about right. Then I saw underneath is said some people had liked your post:
"Brok, Nobby Cybergoat, Green Cross Code Man and 4 others"

But it also showed that one of them had selected the laughing emoji. What ****ing idiot has done that I wondered, and then I realised. Yep, sure enough, it was :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:


Machiavelli

Well-known member
Oct 11, 2013
17,928
Fiveways
Where?

Neither of the Manchester clubs will change manager
Nor will Arsenal
Newcastle might, but they'll probably go for a proven 'name'
Liverpool might, but I'm not sure they'll go for RDZ
Outside chance of Spuds, but his countryman in post right now might put him off
Chelsea won't take another punt on a Brighton manager with a relatively limited track record of success
Fulham/Brentford would look like a sideways move at best – and anyone else would be a downgrade

So no PL move, then.
Real Madrid? Carlo is probably off to be Brazil coach, but I'm pretty sure they won't go for RDZ as a replacement
Barca? Same – not enough experience/success
Germany/France?
Italian teams seem to be doing well in Europe – a big ambition for our Roberto – but I'm not sure he wants to move away from the riches of the PL
A national team?

So where?

My money is on Manchester City – eventually. But not this summer.
I agree with you on City being his likeliest next (eventual) destination. Pep has outlasted his two previous roles, which leaves the question of how to interpret why he's been more attached to City. I'd doubt he'll stay there for a decade, for instance.
As a similar rationale, I think Ali Mac is most likely to go to City this summer (us qualifying for the CL might force him to rethink), whereas Arsenal or United will be Moises' next destination (again, our CL situation will inform the timing of his move).
RdZ and Ferguson I'm far more confident that we'll get another season out of, at the least.
 


Swansman

Pro-peace
May 13, 2019
22,320
Sweden








Sepulveda

Notts County's younger cousins' fan
Mar 19, 2023
419
Northern Italy
Hi Albion fans, Juve fan here. I find it interesting to follow the adventures of fellow Italians in the PL from time to time, and so this season I kept track of De Zerbi's management of your team. I didn't watch all your games (far from it) but I did watch a couple and also saw some highlights clips here and there. Eventually I also stumbled upon these forums. I'm glad he's doing well with a team as well run and on the rise as yours is; like many other Italians I admired him ever since his days at Sassuolo.

I just want to clarify, I'm not here to say I want him at Juve or that I wish he came back to Italy. Swanny might not always be fair but he's spot on about the fact that RDZ wouldn't be the right coach for us, especially now, despite how brilliant he is.

Speaking about Swanny,
Juventus fans and players might hate Allegri but he gets them decent results and they have no money and no board and no nothing and historically speaking RDZ is the opposite of what they look for in a manager
Well we don't hate Allegri, especially not right now. There's still two factions inside the fanbase, one of which wants him out, but he's recently racked up results and in terms of points made on the pitch we're solidly second in the league - well behind Napoli obviously, but that's just how it is given the season they're having. He's also managing an incredibly difficult situation and seeing us through without much fuss - if there's one thing all Juve fans like is his personality and him as a person and communicator, he's a witty and good man.

RDZ is too risk-prone and idealistic for us at the moment, and he'd be stepping into a high-profile fiery mess right now, so yeah he's not the right option.

(they want a cold, calculated fascist)
Typo?

Most of the other Serie A top clubs are unlikely to make changes (but it is Italy so you never know) but he's ambitious and like everyone else he likes money, so why he'd take the £3-4m to coach Inter or Milan instead of sticking around in England waiting for £10m in a top six team just does not seem like a clever career move.
Inter and Milan aren't exactly happy with their respective coaches at the moment, and I'm sure if there was the possibility Milan especially would come running, given also that De Zerbi comes from their Youth sector. But as you said, there's currently no reason at all why he should choose to come back to Italy other than to stay close to his family.

I'm fairly sure he'll stay with you guys for another season. Hell, he stayed at Sassuolo for 3 whole seasons where they remained mid-table (11, 8 and 8), and you know Serie A clubs have a lot less money than PL clubs in the same league positions.
 




Swansman

Pro-peace
May 13, 2019
22,320
Sweden
Hi Albion fans, Juve fan here. I find it interesting to follow the adventures of fellow Italians in the PL from time to time, and so this season I kept track of De Zerbi's management of your team. I didn't watch all your games (far from it) but I did watch a couple and also saw some highlights clips here and there. Eventually I also stumbled upon these forums. I'm glad he's doing well with a team as well run and on the rise as yours is; like many other Italians I admired him ever since his days at Sassuolo.

I just want to clarify, I'm not here to say I want him at Juve or that I wish he came back to Italy. Swanny might not always be fair but he's spot on about the fact that RDZ wouldn't be the right coach for us, especially now, despite how brilliant he is.

Speaking about Swanny,

Well we don't hate Allegri, especially not right now. There's still two factions inside the fanbase, one of which wants him out, but he's recently racked up results and in terms of points made on the pitch we're solidly second in the league - well behind Napoli obviously, but that's just how it is given the season they're having. He's also managing an incredibly difficult situation and seeing us through without much fuss - if there's one thing all Juve fans like is his personality and him as a person and communicator, he's a witty and good man.

RDZ is too risk-prone and idealistic for us at the moment, and he'd be stepping into a high-profile fiery mess right now, so yeah he's not the right option.


Typo?


Inter and Milan aren't exactly happy with their respective coaches at the moment, and I'm sure if there was the possibility Milan especially would come running, given also that De Zerbi comes from their Youth sector. But as you said, there's currently no reason at all why he should choose to come back to Italy other than to stay close to his family.

I'm fairly sure he'll stay with you guys for another season. Hell, he stayed at Sassuolo for 3 whole seasons where they remained mid-table (11, 8 and 8), and you know Serie A clubs have a lot less money than PL clubs in the same league positions.
Not a typo but not also not literal; fascist in the metaphorical sense - ultra-pragmatic men who do their job without saying much, don't say anything, rule their position with iron fist - complete command and control. Roberto is a bit more warm and unpredictable and it shows in the football. Except for the odd Sarri, RDZ is maybe not Juventus DNA (Allegri, Lippi, Capello etc) ... unless you/they want to change that?

Napoli and De Zerbi would be a great match for the entirerity of the five minutes it would have lasted before Roberto and Aurelio De Laurentiis killed each other. But I imagine they are pretty happy with Luciano Spalletti given that they are now the best team in Europe...

Welcome, with insights from Italy. Keep it up!
 








BBassic

I changed this.
Jul 28, 2011
13,202
Before another thread becomes all about one bloke (possibly now one bloke pretending to be two blokes) I think today would be the perfect day to announce a nice fat extension for RDZ.

Ward off Spurs and rub it in the faces of that lot up the road as they digest the prospect of yet more Royball.
 


Machiavelli

Well-known member
Oct 11, 2013
17,928
Fiveways
Hi Albion fans, Juve fan here. I find it interesting to follow the adventures of fellow Italians in the PL from time to time, and so this season I kept track of De Zerbi's management of your team. I didn't watch all your games (far from it) but I did watch a couple and also saw some highlights clips here and there. Eventually I also stumbled upon these forums. I'm glad he's doing well with a team as well run and on the rise as yours is; like many other Italians I admired him ever since his days at Sassuolo.

I just want to clarify, I'm not here to say I want him at Juve or that I wish he came back to Italy. Swanny might not always be fair but he's spot on about the fact that RDZ wouldn't be the right coach for us, especially now, despite how brilliant he is.

Speaking about Swanny,

Well we don't hate Allegri, especially not right now. There's still two factions inside the fanbase, one of which wants him out, but he's recently racked up results and in terms of points made on the pitch we're solidly second in the league - well behind Napoli obviously, but that's just how it is given the season they're having. He's also managing an incredibly difficult situation and seeing us through without much fuss - if there's one thing all Juve fans like is his personality and him as a person and communicator, he's a witty and good man.

RDZ is too risk-prone and idealistic for us at the moment, and he'd be stepping into a high-profile fiery mess right now, so yeah he's not the right option.


Typo?


Inter and Milan aren't exactly happy with their respective coaches at the moment, and I'm sure if there was the possibility Milan especially would come running, given also that De Zerbi comes from their Youth sector. But as you said, there's currently no reason at all why he should choose to come back to Italy other than to stay close to his family.

I'm fairly sure he'll stay with you guys for another season. Hell, he stayed at Sassuolo for 3 whole seasons where they remained mid-table (11, 8 and 8), and you know Serie A clubs have a lot less money than PL clubs in the same league positions.
Welcome, thanks for the insights.
As you've gathered, we're loving RdZ. I'll just recount an encounter I had with another Juventus fan just after his appointment. It was early October, and I was at a friends to enjoy the truffle festival (it's a tough job, but we picked a bad year to do it) and visited Barolo for the day (more hard work), and stopped off for lunch in a charming hillside village/small town. Our brilliant waiter had spent some time in Birmingham which unfortunately led to a connection with Villa, but soon found out that we were from Brighton and were Brighton fans, and he was absolutely raving about RdZ. Said he wanted him at Juve at that point, and that we'd play brilliant football, and would win some and lose some (ie more unpredictable results) under the new management.
 


Sepulveda

Notts County's younger cousins' fan
Mar 19, 2023
419
Northern Italy
Not a typo but not also not literal; fascist in the metaphorical sense - ultra-pragmatic men who do their job without saying much, don't say anything, rule their position with iron fist - complete command and control. Roberto is a bit more warm and unpredictable and it shows in the football. Except for the odd Sarri, RDZ is maybe not Juventus DNA (Allegri, Lippi, Capello etc) ... unless you/they want to change that?

Napoli and De Zerbi would be a great match for the entirerity of the five minutes it would have lasted before Roberto and Aurelio De Laurentiis killed each other. But I imagine they are pretty happy with Luciano Spalletti given that they are now the best team in Europe...

Welcome, with insights from Italy. Keep it up!
Hmm while I do understand what you mean, I'm not sure you know much about Allegri. He's the complete opposite of what you describe. He is pragmatic, that he is, but he's not authoritarian at all (unlike Conte etc.) Being pragmatic is the main feature anyone who works at Juve should have.

As for Napoli, they're more than happy with Spalletti so no reason to look for other coaches now.

I smell a second account!!
That would be quite funny but unfortunately I don't even know how to say hi in Swedish, and I'm very much biased towards RDZ rather than Potter. I'm sure your mods can confirm I'm not Swansman with an Italian mustache lol.

Welcome, thanks for the insights.
As you've gathered, we're loving RdZ. I'll just recount an encounter I had with another Juventus fan just after his appointment. It was early October, and I was at a friends to enjoy the truffle festival (it's a tough job, but we picked a bad year to do it) and visited Barolo for the day (more hard work), and stopped off for lunch in a charming hillside village/small town. Our brilliant waiter had spent some time in Birmingham which unfortunately led to a connection with Villa, but soon found out that we were from Brighton and were Brighton fans, and he was absolutely raving about RdZ. Said he wanted him at Juve at that point, and that we'd play brilliant football, and would win some and lose some (ie more unpredictable results) under the new management.
Yeah that sounds about right ahah, as that guy told you he's considered a very exciting coach but also a risky one, someone who bets everything on the attack and doesn't compromise. At the time this was seen as a little too careless for big clubs over here.
 






Swansman

Pro-peace
May 13, 2019
22,320
Sweden
I smell a second account!!

Swanny arguing with himself because he’s bored ?

Before another thread becomes all about one bloke (possibly now one bloke pretending to be two blokes) I think today would be the perfect day to announce a nice fat extension for RDZ.

Ward off Spurs and rub it in the faces of that lot up the road as they digest the prospect of yet more Royball.

He would have done better to use Google Translate into Italian then back again, might have seemed more genuine.

Just because two people know a fair bit about football, are able to discuss like civilised grown-ups and have a fairly decent grasp of the English language when it comes to grammar and spelling, it doesn't mean the two people are the same guy. It just means none of us are English.

I'm sure @Bozza or someone else can confirm that the new guy you're trying to chase away, in order to keep it a safe zone for the waffles of the senile and impotent, isn't me.
 


Sheebo

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2003
29,319
Hi Albion fans, Juve fan here. I find it interesting to follow the adventures of fellow Italians in the PL from time to time, and so this season I kept track of De Zerbi's management of your team. I didn't watch all your games (far from it) but I did watch a couple and also saw some highlights clips here and there. Eventually I also stumbled upon these forums. I'm glad he's doing well with a team as well run and on the rise as yours is; like many other Italians I admired him ever since his days at Sassuolo.

I just want to clarify, I'm not here to say I want him at Juve or that I wish he came back to Italy. Swanny might not always be fair but he's spot on about the fact that RDZ wouldn't be the right coach for us, especially now, despite how brilliant he is.

Speaking about Swanny,

Well we don't hate Allegri, especially not right now. There's still two factions inside the fanbase, one of which wants him out, but he's recently racked up results and in terms of points made on the pitch we're solidly second in the league - well behind Napoli obviously, but that's just how it is given the season they're having. He's also managing an incredibly difficult situation and seeing us through without much fuss - if there's one thing all Juve fans like is his personality and him as a person and communicator, he's a witty and good man.

RDZ is too risk-prone and idealistic for us at the moment, and he'd be stepping into a high-profile fiery mess right now, so yeah he's not the right option.


Typo?


Inter and Milan aren't exactly happy with their respective coaches at the moment, and I'm sure if there was the possibility Milan especially would come running, given also that De Zerbi comes from their Youth sector. But as you said, there's currently no reason at all why he should choose to come back to Italy other than to stay close to his family.

I'm fairly sure he'll stay with you guys for another season. Hell, he stayed at Sassuolo for 3 whole seasons where they remained mid-table (11, 8 and 8), and you know Serie A clubs have a lot less money than PL clubs in the same league positions.
You popped on the message board with perfect English and called a poster. ‘Swanny’ several times with your first post - who’d have thought 🤣
 


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