Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has expressed admiration for Brighton’s manager, Roberto de Zerbi, describing him as one of the most influential managers in the past two decades.
Guardiola himself has received accolades in recent days for guiding Manchester City to their fifth Premier League title in six season.
However, in anticipation of their match against Brighton, Guardiola showered praise on De Zerbi, who assumed the managerial role after Graham Potter’s departure in September and has led the Seagulls to their qualification for European competition.
“There is no team playing the way they play – it’s unique,” Guardiola said of De Zerbi.
“I had the feeling when he arrived the impact he would have in the Premier League would be great – I didn’t expect him to do it in this short space of time. He creates 20 or 25 chances per game, better by far than most opponents. He monopolises the ball in a way it hasn’t been for a long time.”
“They deserve completely the success they have. If you don’t play at a high level, he can do whatever he wants against you,” added Guardiola.
“They completely deserve the compliments and the success that they have. It’s one of the teams that I try to learn a lot from, it’s unique.”
“It’s going to be an incredible challenge for us ahead of the two finals [the Champions League final and FA Cup final]. Brighton is a master of passing the ball to a man who is free, but also knowing when to pass the ball.”
“They know how to move at the right time. They have the right tempo to pass to the man free.”
“How aggressive they are with the ball they continued from Graham Potter because I think he installed something really good.”
