De Zerbi, the Rising Coaching Star: Potential Successor for Barcelona or Manchester City

As Xavi announces his departure from FC Barcelona at the end of the season, the speculation surrounding his successor intensifies. A myriad of names has been thrown into the mix, including Jürgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Sérgio Conceição, Thiago Motta, and Julian Nagelsmann. However, the latest contender to enter the scene is Roberto De Zerbi, the current head coach of Brighton.

Known for his innovative approach to football, De Zerbi has transcended the label of a mere ‘trendy’ coach to being hailed as one of Europe’s finest. His coaching prowess has earned admiration, with none other than Pep Guardiola endorsing him as a potential successor at Manchester City. Despite differing tactical systems, Guardiola sees in De Zerbi a shared football philosophy.

While Guardiola hasn’t worked directly with De Zerbi, Georgiy Sudakov, the Shakhtar Donetsk star, had the opportunity to experience his coaching during De Zerbi’s tenure with the Ukrainian club from May 2021 to July 2022. Speaking ahead of a Champions League clash against Barcelona, Sudakov shared insights into De Zerbi’s coaching style and offered his perspective on De Zerbi’s suitability for a managerial role at a club like Barcelona.

Sudakov, impressed by De Zerbi’s coaching acumen, expressed confidence in the Italian’s future success, stating, “I am entirely sure that Roberto De Zerbi will lead one of football’s giants in the future.” Describing him as a solid coach with an impulsive personality, Sudakov emphasized De Zerbi’s commitment to ball possession and courage in nurturing young talents, qualities that could align well with Barcelona’s ethos.

When asked about the possibility of De Zerbi taking over from Xavi at Barcelona, Sudakov was unequivocal, stating, “I believe De Zerbi can coach any team in the world, so it doesn’t matter if it’s Manchester City or Barcelona.” The football world awaits to see how De Zerbi’s coaching journey unfolds, with Brighton serving as his current platform to showcase readiness for any forthcoming challenges.