Brighton’s Head Coach, Roberto De Zerbi has praised club supporters for being the “beating heart” of their successful season.
De Zerbi replaced Graham Potter as Head Coach in September 2022 following the latter’s flop move to Chelsea, and has since guided the club to European qualifiation for the very first time in Brighton’s history, which will see them play in the Europa League next season.
The Italian who has turned 44 years-old today (6 June) has penned an open end-of-season letter to supporters, in which he reflected upon the season’s success as “a truly wonderful achievement” which the players all “richly deserve” for their “fantastic work” across the season.
De Zerbi also acknowledged the tough task for the squad of transitioning from Potter’s style of play to his own, as he commented: “When there’s a change of coach with the season already underway, it can be difficult for players, but our squad made the transition with remarkable ease.
“From our very first meeting together, the players bought into what we were trying to implement, and I thank them for that. We saw the rewards for all our hard work, both on and off the pitch.”
De Zerbi however iterated that the club supporters have been “the most important people” across this season, who he described as “our beating heart,” no matter how tough the season has been, which even saw them suffer a heartbreaking FA Cup semi-final exit to Manchester United on penalties.
He went on to humbly speak about the away support amidst financial hardships impacting the UK, as he added: “I mentioned before that, in a cost-of-living crisis, I have been amazed at the number of fans who travel to our away games – especially on those long, long trips ‘up north’ – so thank you for your loyal support.
“Hopefully we have given you plenty of good memories to take from this season and a European adventure to look forward to next season!”
De Zerbi wasn’t the only person on his coaching team to face a new challenge at Brighton this season with some of his coaching staff having joined him in embracing “a new country, a new culture,” whilst adapting alongside current staff “to new methods, new ideas,” whilst stepping up to the challenge.
Club owner, Tony Bloom and Chief Executive, Paul Barber plus various directors were thanked by De Zerbi for showing “faith” in him to build upon Potter’s legacy, which he described as “an honour” whilst hoping that he has “repaid their trust in me with results and performances on the pitch.”
Here is De Zerbi’s open letter in full below.
To have qualified for European football next season is a truly wonderful achievement and it’s something the players richly deserve.
From the moment I joined the club in September, I could see we had a squad here of real quality; an exciting blend of experienced professionals and young players, who could achieve something special.
They now have the rewards for the fantastic work they have put in over the course of the season.
When there’s a change of coach with the season already underway, it can be difficult for players, but our squad made the transition with remarkable ease.
From our very first meeting together, the players bought into what we were trying to implement, and I thank them for that. We saw the rewards for all our hard work, both on and off the pitch.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my coaching staff for their support. It wasn’t easy for them either; there are some who have followed me to a new country, a new culture, and others who were already here at the club, who had to adapt to new methods, new ideas, but every one of them has stepped up to the challenge.
I also have to thank Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and the directors for the faith they have shown in me. It was an honour to come to this fantastic football club, to test myself in the best football league in the world, and hopefully I have repaid their trust in me with results and performances on the pitch.
Of course, the most important people at any football club are the supporters. They are our beating heart, and the warmth they have shown to me has been truly amazing. I am humbled by the support they have given me and also by the numbers who come to watch us, both here at the Amex and on our travels away from home.
I mentioned before that, in a cost-of-living crisis, I have been amazed at the number of fans who travel to our away games – especially on those long, long trips ‘up north’ – so thank you for your loyal support.
Hopefully we have given you plenty of good memories to take from this season and a European adventure to look forward to next season!
Enjoy your summer, enjoy the sun, and we look forward to starting all over again ahead of the new season in August!
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