The new Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that he is unlikely to change too much for his first match in charge away to Liverpool today (Saturday 1 October).
The Italian was brought in to replace Graham Potter last month but has spent little time with his squad because a number of players were away on international duty.
Potter guided the Seagulls to fourth place in the Premier League before he left to take over at Chelsea and, while his successor is eager to implement his own philosophy, he knows patience is key.
A few days ago, De Zerbi said: “I believe I can do a good job. I didn’t work too much with the team because today would be the first day I can have training with everybody but I don’t want to change too much.
“For me it is difficult because I would like to put my idea but it is not right to change so much in the first moment.
“The team already did very good. The head coach has been changed but I cannot do and I don’t want to do the same that Potter was doing.
“I hope I can do whatever is up to me and up to my knowledge. In this moment I have a lot of thoughts about not to do too much but at the same time I want to do something. This is the main point.”
Jurgen Klopp will be the first manager that De Zerbi takes on in the Premier League in what is a maiden meeting between the pair.
It will be a baptism of fire for the new Seagulls chief, who will also face Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea in his first month.
De Zerbi said: “Jurgen is a great manager. He achieved great results in (Borussia) Dortmund, great results in Liverpool and has a great personality.
“He is a very smart man, charismatic, and I am proud to play against him, against his squad in that stadium. Of course the first game in Anfield, the beauty of this is something unique. But I have to keep the focus on my team, the instructions to give and what we can do.
“The game with Liverpool is very difficult for us but (also) for every team. I believe in my players. Liverpool is one of the best teams in the Premier League but also in Europe and the world.
“We know it will be difficult but I trust in my players to play a good game and in the end we will look at the result.”
Enock Mwepu will be absent for Brighton due to illness but Tariq Lamptey (knock) and Adam Lallana (calf) are set to be part of the squad even if De Zerbi admitted neither will be ready to start.
The Italian has spoken to Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster during his first 12 days at the club and looked to get adjusted to his new life in England by visiting local restaurant Donatello.
Having spoken in English and Italian at his press conference, he said: “We went to Donatello for dinner. But we went there not to speak Italian, because we want to learn English as fast as possible because I would like to do the interviews in English.”
