Brighton have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach on a four-year contract.
The 43-year-old former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss agreed final contract terms – subject to a work permit – late Sunday afternoon on a deal to succeed Graham Potter, who left for Chelsea more early this month.
De Zerbi met club owner Tony Bloom, chief executive Paul Barber and technical director David Weir in London earlier this week and flew to Sussex on Friday night before watching a closed-door friendly at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As a sign of respect to the Queen, De Zerbi will not be officially presented to the media until Tuesday afternoon.
Bloom said: “I am absolutely delighted that Roberto has agreed to become our new head coach. Roberto’s teams play exciting and courageous football, and I am confident that his style and tactical approach will suit our existing team perfectly.
Weir said: “Roberto has shown his undoubted ability with his work in Italy and Ukraine, and what he achieved in Sassuolo certainly stands out.
“During his short spell with Shakhtar he enjoyed further success, leading the club to cup success and top of the Ukrainian league before war abruptly cut short his time there.
“We are delighted to welcome Roberto and look forward to introducing him to our team as well as giving him all the support he needs to introduce his coaching philosophy and help the players continue their brilliant start to the season.”
Barber, who is also vice-president, said: “We looked at a range of great candidates, but Roberto was our number one choice from the start and the only person we spoke to.
“It’s no secret that our chairman is constantly monitoring potential coaches, here in our domestic leagues, across Europe and around the world as part of our succession planning work.
“We believe Roberto is the right person culturally and technically for Brighton & Hove Albion, and the right person to continue the progress of the club and work with this exceptional group of players.”
