An enigmatic, Delphic Roberto De Zerbi took to the stage at the end of season Brighton Fans’ Forum in the huge Mayo Wynne Baxter Lounge at the Amex with his future the burning question amongst Albion supporters.
And we are probably no closer to an answer with De Zerbi being particularly cryptic. At least I think he was being Delphic and cryptic.
Sometimes, what De Zerbi says gets lost in his own translation. Or perhaps he really hasn’t made his mind up over whether he will be Brighton head coach next season.
De Zerbi arrived tantalisingly late, just as host for the evening Johnny Cantor went on air. That different Albion fans have taken different interpretations from De Zerbi answering questions on the night just adds to the mystique.
For many present or listening at home, what De Zerbi had to say was a clear indication he would be staying for another season. For others, it was the complete opposite.
I was there, close enough to look the charismatic Italian in the eye as he spoke just a few metres in front of me. And I am still far from certain either way what the future holds for De Zerbi in terms of continuing as Brighton head coach.
Depending on your viewpoint, De Zerbi is amongst the greatest managers the Albion have ever had. A master tactician coaxing beautiful football from his players.
He is the man who took us to Europe, who led us to victory in a group containing some of the biggest names in European football.
Alternatively, he is the head coach who has this season been unbending and inflexible in a style of play that teams have long since sussed.
Some are calling De Zerbi overhyped by pundits as he presides over a grim second half of the Premier League season that has produced relegation form results.
The fantastic ovation De Zerbi got on the way in and the way out of the Fans’ Forum hopefully left him in little doubt of the view of those present at least. It was very much a case of Roberto De Zerbi, we want you to stay.
Whilst his critics say he has blamed injuries too much, De Zerbi gave a detailed breakdown of what long term injury to Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March has done to his tactics.
It was hard not to agree with De Zerbi’s analysis. And the hiring of two top-class personnel as head of medicine and head of performance this week at considerable expense indicates the club agree that something needed to be done about the medical department.
In answer to the most direct question about his Brighton future, De Zerbi said: “I’m not working for the career. I’m working to wake up happy, and if I’m happy in Brighton there’s not one club can get me… but if I don’t feel the motivation, it can change.”
“I must be able to give my best. If I’m able to give my best, I can push the players, otherwise it’s tough because I can’t change my face.”
Perhaps a better indication of the situation came from Paul Barber. There was a joke that Barber would bring De Zerbi a cappucino and a croissant each money if it meant he woke up happy.
Beyond that, most of Barber’s answers were peppered with reference to delivering what De Zerbi wants as a coach.
Whilst many have interpreted De Zerbi’s comments to the media about signings and learning lessons as being critical of Barber and Tony Bloom, I do not sense the club have have perceived them as such. As we saw with Gus Poyet, there is little tolerance for the airing of dirty kit in public.
The constant media and online speculation about where De Zerbi might go next or who might replace him is doubtless not helpful for the players. But there is little anyone other than De Zerbi can do to end that.
My gut feeling is there is a 60-40 chance that De Zerbi stays and leads the squad in their pre-season tour of Japan before the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
If Bloom and Barber cannot deliver the kind of signings De Zerbi wants or needs in a highly competitive transfer market, then he is likely to wake up unhappy.
Should AC Milan or the like come knocking, then of course he could go. The opportunity to manage a European giant would surely be too good to turn down.
I think it would be a tragedy if we do not get to find out what De Zerbi can do in a full season at the helm. A season without the pressure of European football and with March, Mitoma, Joao Pedro, Jack Hinshelwood, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson fit for the entire campaign.
Not to mention the additions of Ibrahim Osman and whoever else the recruitment department have lined up to bolster the squad.
Success or failure in 2024-25 would likely result in a departure this time next year either way. But at least we would have a better sense of which of the two coaches De Zerbi is – genius or overrated – and avoid being left wondering what might have been.
Warren Morgan @WarrenBHAFC
