Roberto De Zerbi has said that he’s a big fan of one particular figure at Manchester City.
The Brighton & Hove Albion boss will be preparing his side for tonight’s Premier League clash between the Seagulls at City.
Now though, the 44-year-old has highlighted someone at the Manchester club he has a lot of admiration for.
De Zerbi says City man has played a big part in his career
Speaking in a recent video shared on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, De Zerbi had this to say about Pep Guardiola including how he felt to be praised by the Spaniard and the impact he’s had on the Italian’s managerial career.
He said: “Amazing. For sure, Pep, for me, was a teacher but not only because we spoke many times but I studied his Barcelona, his Bayern Munich.
“Not only for me but I think my generation of coaches, he changed the history of football and now he helped me a lot in the first period in the Premier League, he’s my friend.
“He’s the best because he’s showing year by year a different strategy. We can speak about coaches but Pep is another thing.”
De Zerbi has a lot of respect for Pep Guardiola
Throughout the 53-year-old’s managerial career, he has lifted numerous domestic and European trophies, as well as winning several individual honours such as the UEFA Best Men’s Coach award, which he won after seeing his side win five trophies in 2023.
The Brighton boss has faced off against Guardiola on three occasions, losing twice and drawing one, prior to tonight’s latest meeting between the two sides.
Back in May, before the two sides met at the AMEX Stadium towards the end of last season, Guardiola described De Zerbi as “one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years.”
Now that the Italian has highlighted how much he admires the City manager and shared how much he has learned from him, this further increases Guardiola’s status as one of the best managers of all time, in our view.