Latest news with #RobertodeZerbi
The National
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Francesco Farioli's Ajax exit explained amid Rangers talks
The Dutch giants were the fourth club of an interesting career to date for the 36-year-old, who hasn't tended to stick around anywhere long including stints at Fatih Karagumruk, Alanyaspor and Nice. It was the Italian coach the Amsterdam side turned to last summer after a desperately poor campaign had just been completed, finishing a lowly fifth in the Eredivisie. Farioli brought his progressive style with him and restored plenty of pride, having them sitting pretty at the top of the table by March. However, a late collapse saw them waste a nine-point lead over PSV, who ended up champions. Roberto de Zerbi's former coach was not sacked and instead took the decision to step away, described as 'incredibly disappointing' by technical director Alex Kroes. Describing the reasons behind his departure, Farioli said at the time: "The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals. Read more: Rangers hold discussions with ex-Ajax boss as new name enters the frame "Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways." Kroes praised the departing boss and insisted he had achieved the stated aim of qualifying for the Champions League. "Francesco also played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful," said the technical director. "This summer was already set to be a challenging transfer window, and it has now become even more so. It is up to us to ensure that a strong new coaching team is in place when pre-season preparations begin on 26 June." At a later date, Farioli was then quizzed about his plans for the future. 'There's a lot of speculation, a lot of rumours,' he said. 'But I do want to get back into coaching. Just like it was with Ajax, I don't care about the brand or the size of the club. What matters to me is how things are done, and last summer Ajax was exactly what I was looking for. 'It was the right step for my career, and now we'll see what comes next. We'll see if and when that opportunity arrives. 'I'm a very demanding person. Before I join a club, I lay all my strengths and weaknesses on the table. 'Demanding' is probably the best word to describe me. I want to find a club that's willing to fight alongside me.'
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brighton's European hopes diminish with Leicester draw
Brighton's only appearance in Europe came during the 2023-24 season after Roberto de Zerbi guided them to the Europa League with a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League. It was the first time in their 122-year history that the Seagulls had qualified for a European competition, which ended with them losing to Roma in the last 16 after topping a group that had AEK Athens, Ajax and Marseille. On the back of a summer where Fabian Hurzeler spent around £200m on nine new signings and with England earning an extra fifth spot in the Champions League, this season was a great opportunity for Brighton to push for a European spot. But their 2-2 draw against strugglers Leicester City, who had not won in eight games before Saturday, might have left them with a tall order in their bid to finish among the top seven places in the league. The Seagulls have now lost two and drawn two of their past four league outings while also exiting the FA Cup after a cruel defeat by Nottingham Cup winners Newcastle United and leaders Liverpool are among the six opponents left to come for Hurzeler's Brighton will believe they are still in with a chance to reach Europe with the duo the only top-half opponents they will face between now and end of the season.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'It is never dull being an Albion supporter'
It was not so long ago that the only reason for a Brighton fan to look forward to an away game at Manchester City was because it was one of the only away ground concourses in English football that sold a well-known dark fruit was both a blessing and a curse. Take the Albion's first visit to Etihad Stadium in May pints of said drink were sunk, both before the match and during half-time. The pain of a 3-1 defeat was the flip side, it meant missing the booked public transport home and an unplanned night in Manchester until the first train back to London the following that 3-1 defeat was one of Brighton's better efforts. Largely because it involved an actual Albion facing City on Saturday, Brighton's record at Etihad Stadium read: played seven, lost seven, scored three, conceded 18. therefore be disappointed that Brighton were leaving the Etihad with a mere point from visit eight was quite an extraordinary wondering just how costly Carlos Baleba blazing over the bar with 10 minutes remaining might be to the Albion's Champions League current campaign, in many ways, reminds me of the 2022-23 season. Talk of the Europa League seemed fanciful going into the March international break. Little ol' Brighton finishing in the top six? Surely yet, Roberto de Zerbi and his players went on to make history. Fast forward two years and Fabian Hurzeler and the current crop have every chance of doing the matter what happens from this point onwards, the final two months of the season are going to be an absolute roller losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest to being seven unbeaten - including six wins and a draw against the four-in-a-row champions - it is never dull being an Albion more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hurzeler's age means he can 'gel with the team a little bit more'
Brighton fan Scott Daly says Fabian Hurzeler has started his reign at Amex Stadium "incredibly" since taking charge in the summer, adding that the Seagulls are "one point better off" in the Premier League this season than at the same point under Roberto de Zerbi in to BBC Radio Sussex about Brighton's season so far, Daly said: "In the Premier League, Brighton have only lost six games this season. If you think back to five or six years ago, it is incredible to have only lost six games over halfway through the season."There have been quite a few draws where we could have stolen points and we should be in the top four, but Brighton are a very well-managed team at the moment. The club is very well run from the top to the bottom."Hurzeler has started incredibly. He has had an impact straightaway. Yes there was a little blip halfway through this season, but we are obviously on the rise again."If you are going to compare him with other managers, then I think that's silly. If you did want to compare him then I'm pretty sure that at this point in Roberto de Zerbi's last full season, we are one point better off than De Zerbi was."Being a young manager, some of your players are going to be a little bit older than you, but you are a manager who can gel with the team a little bit more."He can sympathise with them and he knows what's going on at that age. He can be more down to earth with them. Rather than being that father figure, he can be that brother figure that has a bit of banter with them and encourages them to do better."Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How is number of players used affecting Brighton's league position?
After spending more than any other club in the Premier League this summer, Brighton had genuine aspirations of building on Roberto de Zerbi's fine work and challenging the top Fabian Hurzeler's side are 10th after 24 games in the German's first season in charge. He has been seriously hampered by injuries and been forced to use 30 players in the league - the third most behind bottom two Ipswich and is seven more than high-flying Nottingham Forest, who currently sit third.
