REVEALED: Roberto De Zerbi’s explosive clash with Alexis Mac Allister and the advice Pep Guardiola gave the Brighton boss as he led them into Europe last season

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has revealed the inner workings of his coaching philosophy that led to Brighton’s 6th-place finish in 2022-23 – their most successful season.

The coastal club secured a 4-1 win over Luton Town in their 2023/24 Premier League debut, but De Zerbi has since revealed the truth behind his clash with World Cup winning Alexis Mac Allister and three-time winning Pep Guardiola.

Despite their success, De Zerbi has not shyed away from discussing the challenges his Brighton side have faced.

Notably the departure of key players, including mercurial Alexis Mac Allister, who secured a move to Liverpool following Argentina’s World Cup victory.

Lamenting the loss, the Zerbi praised Mac Allister’s fearless personality and unparalleled ball skills, perhaps inherited from his father’s association with the legendary Diego Armando Maradona.

The Brighton boss reveals his friendship with fellow Premier League manager Pep Guardiola

Speak against La Gazzetta dello Sporttold the boss a collision with Mac Allister for a crucial game against Newcastle.

“Before a game with Newcastle, I said to him, ‘Alex, you have to rest tomorrow, so you go on the bench.’ The midfielder replied, “If you want to lose, give me rest.”

I hit back with a smile and said, “I’m certainly not second to you in personality, get out of my office now.”

“The next day he was sitting on the couch.” added De Zerbi.

The Seagulls suffered a heavy defeat, with the boss recalling, “We suffered a heavy defeat, but we were playing three games a week and the boy had a physical problem.”

De Zerbi, formerly of Sassuolo, is no stranger to the pressures of top-flight football and he acknowledged the fear throughout his managerial journey.

The season ahead, he declared, is the litmus test of Brighton’s progress, one in which they must consolidate their stature and identity. The departure of star players Mac Allister, Colwill and Caicedo weighed heavily, but De Zerbi said the club’s soul remains firm.

“Fear has always accompanied me in this job,” he said.

The seaside club secured a 4–1 victory over Luton Town in their 2023/24 Premier League debut

De Zerbi admitted that he constantly struggles with the English language. ‘I need to improve my English,’

Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo has signed an eight-year contract with Chelsea until 2031 and the Blues have the option to extend the contract for another year until 2032

“We are entering the most crucial season because we have to confirm ourselves. We lost three key players like Mac Allister, Colwill and Caicedo.

Big clubs can’t buy our souls. In football terms, this side of Brighton doesn’t quite reflect me, but we have the same soul.

‘I don’t feel the pressure of results. The only pressure is the one I put on myself. I want to improve the identity and play style. One thing is certain: if we don’t play well, I will never say my players are sh**.’

Switching to training sessions, the Zerbi admitted to constant struggles with the English language. “I need to improve my English,” he confessed, because when the word falters, the boss relies on eye contact to communicate with his team.

Brighton have lost a number of key players during the summer transfer window, including Levi Colwill to Chelsea and Argentine Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool for £35 million.

A pivotal moment in De Zerbi’s memory was a match against Pep Guardiola’s formidable Manchester City. After a struggle at the beginning of the season, including two draws and three losses, a turning point came.

‘We lost 3-1 to Man City’, De Zerbi recalled, ‘and my staff and I had doubts during the preparation for the match. Be brave or sit back?’

The fiery determination that defined De Zerbi’s career ignited within him. In a cathartic outburst, he recounts, “I threw my cell phone against the wall and screamed, ‘I haven’t wasted 10 years of my life.’ If we lose, I want to do it my way. We play openly and attack Man City in their penalty area.’ No one had ever done it.’

His strategy impressed Pep, with the Man City manager praising his ingenuity for the first time. The following week, Brighton’s secured an emphatic 4–1 victory over Chelsea.

The Italian boss remembers Guardiola’s words of encouragement: “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”

Brighton take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at the AMEX Stadium in a bid to continue a winning start to the 2023-24 season.