Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi: biography

Roberto De Zerbi is an Italian football manager and former professional player. De Zerbi primarily played as a midfielder during his playing career, which spanned from 1997 to 2012. Currently he serves as a head coach of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

Childhood and youth

Roberto De Zerbi was born on June 6, 1979, in the city of Brescia, located in the Lombardy region of Italy. As a child, De Zerbi developed a passion for football and began playing at a young age. He showed great talent and dedication, which eventually led him to pursue a career in the sport.

During his youth, De Zerbi honed his skills by playing for various local clubs in Brescia. He showcased his abilities as a midfielder, demonstrating technical proficiency, vision, and an understanding of the game. His performances caught the attention of talent scouts, and he was soon offered opportunities to join youth academies of professional football clubs.

Throughout his formative years, De Zerbi dedicated himself to improving his abilities on the pitch. He worked tirelessly to develop his skills, both technically and tactically, with the goal of making it as a professional football player.

De Zerbi's childhood and youth experiences laid the foundation for his future career in football. The passion and commitment he displayed during this time would ultimately shape him into the successful player and manager he would become.

Football career

Roberto De Zerbi had a relatively modest football career as a player, primarily playing for lower league clubs in Italy. He started his professional career in 1997 with the Italian club Salernitana. However, he struggled to establish himself at the highest levels of Italian football and spent the majority of his playing career in the lower divisions.

Throughout his career, De Zerbi played for clubs such as Foggia, Avellino, Sambenedettese, and Vibonese. He primarily operated as a midfielder, known for his technical skills, vision, and passing ability. Although he didn't achieve significant individual or team honors, De Zerbi gained valuable experience and knowledge of the game during his time on the pitch.

In 2012, De Zerbi decided to retire from professional football and transitioned into coaching. While his playing career may not have been illustrious, it provided him with a solid foundation and understanding of the game, which he would later apply to his coaching career.

Coaching career

Roberto De Zerbi's coaching career began shortly after he retired from professional football in 2012. He decided to pursue his passion for the sport by transitioning into coaching, starting with youth teams. De Zerbi's coaching journey allowed him to develop his managerial skills and gain valuable experience.

He started working as a coach in the youth ranks of several Italian clubs, focusing on player development and nurturing young talents. De Zerbi's ability to communicate effectively with players and his commitment to improving their skills quickly became evident.

On September 6, 2016, Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as the head coach of Serie A club Palermo. He took over the position after Davide Ballardini left the club by mutual consent due to disagreements with the board. Unfortunately, De Zerbi's tenure with Palermo proved to be challenging. The team experienced a series of setbacks, including seven consecutive defeats and failing to secure any points at home for three months.

The low point came when Palermo was eliminated from a home match against Serie B club Spezia through a penalty shootout. As a result, De Zerbi was dismissed from his role on November 30, 2016. The club opted to replace him with Eugenio Corini, a former team captain.

On October 23, 2017, Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as the head coach of Benevento, a club newly promoted to Serie A for the 2017-2018 season.

On June 13, 2018, Roberto De Zerbi took on the role of manager at Sassuolo. During his tenure, Sassuolo gained recognition for their attractive style of play and consistently achieved results that exceeded expectations. The small Emilia-based club secured two consecutive eighth-place finishes in the Italian top flight under De Zerbi's guidance.

Sassuolo's performances under De Zerbi were lauded for their entertaining and dynamic brand of football. The team's ability to combine style with substance resulted in impressive on-field results. In the 2020-2021 Serie A season, Sassuolo narrowly missed out on UEFA Conference League qualification to Roma, finishing in eighth place only due to goal difference.

On May 25, 2021, it was officially announced that Roberto De Zerbi would be taking on the role of head coach at Shakhtar Donetsk, a prominent club in the Ukrainian Premier League.

On September 18, 2022, Roberto De Zerbi was appointed as the head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion, a Premier League club. He succeeded Graham Potter in this role and signed a four-year contract with the club.

Roberto De Zerbi's coaching career has been characterized by his commitment to attacking football, player development, and an ability to maximize the potential of his teams. His tactical acumen and dedication have positioned him as one of the promising young managers in Italian football.

Personal life

Information about Roberto De Zerbi's personal life is not extensively available, as he tends to keep a relatively low profile in the media. It’s known that he is a family man and has two children.

Honors

Player

During his playing career, Roberto De Zerbi achieved the following honors with CFR Cluj:

• Liga I: 2009-10, 2011-12
• Romanian Cup: 2009-10

Manager

As a manager, Roberto De Zerbi secured the following trophy with Foggia:

• Coppa Italia Lega Pro: 2015-16

After joining Shakhtar Donetsk as the head coach, De Zerbi claimed the following honor:

• Ukrainian Super Cup: 2021