'Difficult' – Ex-Brighton boss Gus Poyet issues Roberto De Zerbi warning to Tony Bloom

Former Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Gus Poyet believes the Seagulls face a battle to keep their head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian has been excellent since replacing former boss Graham Potter, who left last September for the riches of Chelsea.

De Zerbi has built on Potter’s fine work on the south coast and Brighton are eighth in the table, into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and pushing for European qualification. The fans have really taken to De Zerbi who has added a cutting edge to their play and transformed them to a more a potent attacking unit.

There have already been tentative rumours of Juventus, Tottenham and even Chelsea making a move for De Zerbi but at present the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss seems happy on south coast.

The 43-year-old is contracted with the Albion until June 2026 and it has been reported that he has a £12m release clause inserted into his contract by the club. Poyet however feels chairman Tony Bloom could have trouble convincing his man to stay in the long-term.

“I think Roberto is a very special manager – he’s very intelligent and he knows what he’s doing,” said Poyet, who won the League One title with Brighton in 2011, to neuecasinos24.com.

“I don’t want to speak badly of them as they’re my old team, but I think it’s going to be difficult for Brighton to keep him! I watched Brighton away at Southampton on Boxing Day, and I could see his communication with his players and getting them to do what he wants. It’s no surprise that the team is doing so well.

“Their recruitment system has been key to their success. It’s magnificent – not only with the players, but with appointing a new manager in Roberto too. When you get a manager like Roberto, who came from outside the Premier League, and you begin to see why after a few months, you have to say it’s top class recruitment.”