BLOOMING WRONG TO SAY THAT I’M GOING
BY CHRIS HATHERALL BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi has denied he is set to leave the club amid rumours of a fall-out with owner Tony Bloom.
Italian De Zerbi (above) has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester
United and Barcelona.
But he says recent comments that seemed to suggest he was frustrated at Brighton have been wildly misinterpreted.
Brighton, who reached the last 16 of the Europa League in their first European campaign, have since dropped to 10th in the Premier League.
And De Zerbi said: “This season has been tough because at the beginning of it my dream was completely different. But when I have spoken about the club, about Tony Bloom, you have not understood it the right way.
“I have not decided to leave. It is not the right time yet to decide anything. I am frustrated and I am disappointed in how the season has gone but I have never fought with Tony.
“If I have to say something to Tony, I call him and I tell him what I want to say.”
De Zerbi notably stopped short of saying he will definitely stick around on the south coast, instead repeating a mantra that “the club is more important than the coaches.” He added: “If it is me or another coach, nothing changes.”
The Seagulls desperately need points at Burnley today to revive hopes of finishing in the top seven (they finished sixth last season).
De Zerbi said: “At this moment I am focused on making the fans happy again and on reaching Europe again, whether that’s in the Europa League or the Conference League.”
He will have to do without latest injury worries Julio Enciso (circle) and Tariq Lamptey, who are both ruled out. That makes it nine ruled out in all, including key men Kaoru Mitoma, Solly
March, Evan Ferguson, Adam Webster, Billy Gilmour and James Milner.
Last season Brighton won 18 of their 38 Premier League matches. To equal that tally this time around they will have to win their seven remaining games.
Last season they collected 62 points, two more than Spurs, and to equal that tally they will have to harvest 19 points from seven games.
After today’s trip to Turf Moor they must play Manchester City (h), Bournemouth (a), Aston Villa (h), Newcastle (a), and then Chelsea and Manchester United at home.