Why De Zerbi blames Italian media for continued comparison with Mourinho and Allegri
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Unlike Massimiliano Allegri and former Roma boss Jose Mourinho, Roberto De Zerbi's attacking style is seen as alien to Italian football (Credit: Imago Images)

Why De Zerbi blames Italian media for continued comparison with Mourinho and Allegri

Seye Omidiora 20:58 - 13.03.2024

The Brighton & Hove Albion boss thinks the perceived notion that his approach is counter-cultural to Italian football means he is not seen as a winner like Jose Mourinho and Massimiliano Allegri.

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has reprimanded the Italian media for continually portraying him as an antithesis to serial winners like Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and erstwhile Inter and Roma trainer Jose Mourinho.

What De Zerbi said about continued comparisons with managers like Allegri and Mourinho

De Zerbi spoke to the media before his Brighton side face Roma in the return leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, in which they trail 4-0 after last week’s hammering at Stadio Olimpico.

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The former Sassuolo boss is seen as an antithesis to Italian football, with non-stop questions about his expansive style and the broader preference for managers like Allegri and Mourinho, who favour a more defensive and pragmatic approach.

“I always try to take a position and be correct with everyone. I think that many of you [journalists] are unfair,” said De Zerbi as quoted by Voce Giallorossa. “I’ve never liked compromises. I’ve never called anyone, and I’ve never accepted compromises wanted by somebody else.

“Some people have emphasised this way of being divisive by comparing Giochisti [those who play good football] and Risultatisti [those who want to win]. I’ve always worked with passion and respect. There aren’t always competent and honest people among you [journalists], and when I found these people, I didn’t try to find a compromise. You can write anything you want. Of course, I am sorry because my family lives in Italy, and I feel it’s unfair to be so divisive. You do that, not the fans.

Roberto De Zerbi's expansive approach is not appreciated as much as Massimilano Allegri's and Jose Mourinho's broadly defensive styles (Credit: Imago/Gribaudi/ImagePhoto)

“Being divisive depends on you, not me. It depends on how you say things and your truths. I’ve always respected everyone, but there is no fairness in some judgements. I think you emphasise this division when you talk about ‘Giochisti’ and ‘Risultatisti.’  

Sometimes, this happens in a not entirely transparent way because somebody among you is unfair. I respect almost everyone in your category but not those who do not respect others. I don’t talk to them, I don’t give them interviews, and I don’t accept compromises.”

Roberto De Zerbi
Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi has created something special at Brighton. (Photo Credit: Statmandave/X)

Brighton vs Roma

Having been beaten by a heavy margin at the Olimpico last Thursday, De Zerbi’s Brighton side need a victory by four goals to force extra time, and they can secure an unanticipated success by winning by five goals or more to claim the aggregate victory over Daniele De Rossi’s men.

What comes next for De Zerbi and Brighton?

The Seagulls boss is constantly linked with the top jobs in the Premier League, with recent suggestions putting him in the conversation to manage Manchester United, Chelsea or even Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp departs.

After Brighton’s European fate is decided on Thursday, they return to league action after the international break to face title-chasing Liverpool, as this weekend’s meeting with Manchester City was postponed due to last year’s treble winners’ FA Cup participation against Newcastle United on March 16.