De Zerbi faces diplomacy test after European disappointment
Brighton’s 4-0 defeat to Roma during the first leg of their round of 16 tie in the Europa League undoubtedly hurt Roberto De Zerbi’s professional pride.It was perhaps unsurprising then to see the Seagulls boss come out with some forthright views in the aftermath of the chaos in Rome, with the main takeaway being that he didn’t feel Brighton were ready for a European campaign.
De Zerbi reads the riot act
Speaking before the game against Nottingham Forest, De Zerbi said: “All people who work in Brighton have to improve from this season.”While the Italian included himself in this warning shot, he ultimately suggested that from top to bottom, the club wasn’t adequately prepared for a season in Europe.
De Zerbi would add: “It’s a real pain for me, for the club, for the players, but we have to accept it, to learn in terms of deciding if we want to compete at a high level or not and play one game per week, Wednesday playing golf.”
Reading between the lines
The reality is that it’s hard not to see what the 44-year-old is saying without thinking that he is asking the club to be more ambitious. Again, it’s understandable for feelings to be so strong after one of the biggest games in Brighton's history ended in such disappointment, but there must also be some healthy perspective kept at hand despite this.Indeed, despite a gruelling fixture list, Brighton are once again in the mix for European qualification which will come on the back of a thoroughly respectable first outing in the Europa League. Essentially, there are many strong foundations to build on and positives to focus on.
The danger is that if there isn’t this perspective applied, De Zerbi might end up sounding a bit like Antonio Conte during the final throes of his stint as Tottenham Hotspur manager. Conte was, of course, renowned for finger-pointing when he sensed his determination to win was not being matched. Incessant questioning of those around him eventually led to a fractured dressing room and a fed-up boardroom.
In short, De Zerbi should be mindful that a burn-the-house-down review of the current season might not achieve the desired results of raising the bar at the club and may only serve to demoralise those who have worked hard.
Taking the rough with the smooth
While De Zerbi's uncompromising nature has undeniably been the cornerstone to the most successful spell in the club's history, it still raises an intriguing question about the balance between relentless drive and moderation.It's a conundrum faced by most managers who each possess a distinctive approach to leadership. Consider Gareth Southgate, for example. Unlike De Zerbi, Southgate regularly adopts a more conservative tone in his management style which hasn't stopped him from achieving considerable success as the England manager.
So much so that under his management, England will arrive at this summer’s European Championships as the outright favourites at odds of 7/2 to go all the way.
Fans who feel that Southgate's understated leadership qualities will help guide the England men’s side to their first major trophy since 1966 can claim these Euro 2024 free bets upon signing up with bookmakers such as bet365, Copybet, and Betfred. In some cases, welcome bonuses of up to £50 can be claimed and used on the Three Lions making history in Germany this summer.
However England end up getting on at Euro 2024, the wider point is that there is more than one way of skinning a cat when it comes to effective management.