Roberto De Zerbi, who replaced Graham Potter at Brighton and Hove Albion, expressed sympathy for Potter after his unsuccessful stint as Chelsea manager came to an end
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi expressed his sympathy for Graham Potter after he was fired from his job as Chelsea’s manager.
The Italian tactician also praised Potter’s time at Brighton and Hove Albion. Despite leaving the club to join Chelsea last September after Thomas Tuchel was sacked.
He expressed his sadness over the dismissal of Graham Potter from his position as Chelsea manager after only six months due to the team’s poor performance and high spending.
Potter had previously left his position at Brighton to take the job at Stamford Bridge, succeeding Thomas Tuchel.
De Zerbi, who took over Potter’s former position at Brighton, acknowledged Potter’s contributions to the team and expressed his gratitude for the squad he was left with.
De Zerbi thanks Potter
“I am very sorry [to see him go],” he said. “It is bad news for the coaches. I think you give too much importance to the coaches.
“The players are always the most important. I don’t like when coaches are sacked because the responsibility is not only with them.
“The players, the club, it’s not very good news. I want to say thanks to Graham Potter. I have a team with a very good attitude and mentality.
“It is difficult when you don’t know the situation or another dressing room. I don’t like speaking about other teams and coaches. I am sorry because when there are these situations, they are sad.”
De Zerbi has been linked with taking over at Chelsea after Potter’s sacking. Due to his impressive work in maintaining Brighton’s good start to the season and keeping them in contention for a European spot.
The Italian is focused squarely on the Seagulls, however, adding: “We are playing very well at the moment, but if we want to reach our target, we have to improve.
“Our target is to play in Europe. Which competition? We will see. We want to play three times a week next year.”
