Former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Jakub Moder has described Roberto de Zerbi as a genius, despite his methods leaving the Seagulls squad scratching their heads.
The midfielder has been speaking about his former manager to Voetbal International, insisting the Italian was undoubtedly the best he’s worked under.
De Zerbi was Brighton manager from September 2022 to May 2024, managing 89 games in total and enjoying a points per game ratio of 1.51.
His first season at the club was a hugely successful one as he led Brighton into Europe for the first time in their history with a sixth placed finish. He did this with a brand of exciting, attacking football that quickly had him being linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe the following summer.
His second season proved to be a tougher affair all round as injuries and their participation in Europe made life difficult and he eventually departed in the summer, later becoming Marseille manager.
That first year is still remember fondly, though, particularly by Moder, who was delighted to work under the Italian during his time at Brighton.
“Roberto De Zerbi was the best, that man is a genius as a trainer,” he said.
“He was one of other things. His mentality, character; I had never experienced anything like it before. On the field he shouted at us, he almost literally let us work dead and you accepted that from him, because football content he is great.
“When he came, I was injured, but I was at the first meeting. De Zerbi introduced himself and his staff and told how he wanted to play. “I know it looks crazy now,” he said. “I know you’re going to wonder what the hell we’re doing on the training ground. I know it.
“Well, that was right. I finished another program because of that knee injury and was often already in the dressing room when the other boys returned from training. They literally said to each other, “What the f**k are we doing on that pitch? This is crazy.”
“Sometimes they were on the field for two or even three hours, to train a certain structure form and repeat and repeat that. We finished sixth, entered the Europa League and many clubs wanted to play like Brighton. The man is a genius.”
