Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton, has not been tipped by Pep Guardiola to succeed him at Manchester City.
After City and Brighton drew at the Amex Stadium in May, a new story stated that Guardiola shared his De Zerbi forecast with a number of Brighton players.
According to reports, Guardiola, whose contract with City extends through 2025, remarked of De Zerbi, whose remarkable work with the Seahawks has garnered him acclaim across the Premier League, “that’s the next Manchester City manager.”
Guardiola said he couldn’t remember saying anything, but he was ready to heap praise on the Italian coach before Saturday’s match against Brighton.
I have no recollection of that. Perhaps my memory is failing me, but I am confident that Roberto can train with any team in the world. It’s a done deal, Guardiola informed the press on Friday.
I can’t believe I told the players that. Before he got here, maybe two games in, I made a joke about how we needed to keep the manager around.
“I couldn’t care less. It is none of my concern, but if the chairman asks for my input, I will provide it.
It’s not my job to oversee athletics. It’s not up to me to judge whether things are going well or not.
De Zerbi, formerly of Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, has had a significant impact since becoming Brighton’s manager a year ago.
They finished sixth in the Premier League last year thanks to his leadership, and they’ve gotten off to a good start this year.
Guardiola thinks De Zerbi’s success demonstrates that a lack of top-level managerial experience is not a deal breaker for the top jobs.
To manage a top club, it is not necessary to play for a top club. From the fourth division with no prior experience at the highest level, I was promoted to manage Barcelona’s first squad,” he remarked.
You come up with the club’s vision, the sporting director implements it by hiring a manager and players who share that vision. When that occurs, things are going swimmingly.
“Man City have done this, Liverpool with Jurgen (Klopp) for many years – winning titles with the same process and same ideas.”