Italian football managerial icon, Fabio Capello, has taken a swipe at Brighton boss, Roberto de Zerbi, labeling him as “third tier” in the coaching hierarchy.
Capello’s comments come amidst a season of mixed fortunes for Brighton under De Zerbi’s stewardship.
De Zerbi assumed the managerial reins at Brighton in September 2022, steering the team to a commendable sixth-place finish in the Premier League and a notable semi-final appearance in the FA Cup.
However, the Seagulls have encountered difficulties under his guidance this season, currently languishing in 10th place with just two fixtures remaining.
The club’s FA Cup campaign ended prematurely in the fifth round, while their Carabao Cup journey concluded after their first match.
Additionally, Brighton’s Europa League aspirations were cut short in the last 16 stage of the competition.
Expressing his critical assessment of De Zerbi’s coaching acumen, Capello remarked, “I would put De Zerbi in the third tier.
There is a lot of talk about him as one of the top coaches because Guardiola sponsors him, but this year he is tenth or eleventh in the standings.”
Capello’s critique also delved into De Zerbi’s career achievements, highlighting a perceived lack of significant accolades.
“What has he won in his career? Let’s look at his CV: he has only won one cup in Ukraine,” Capello remarked during an interview with Sky Sports.
