Brighton appoint Roberto De Zerbi as new head coach

Brighton & Hove Albion appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach Sunday after Graham Potter left for Chelsea earlier in September.

Club chairman Tony Bloom lauded the Italian's "exciting and courageous brand of football" as the Seagulls look to continue their strong start to the Premier League season.

De Zerbi, 43, signed a four-year contract on the south coast.

"We looked at a range of excellent candidates, but Roberto was our No. 1 choice from the start and the only person we spoke to," Brighton deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber said.

He added: "We feel Roberto is the ideal cultural and technical fit for Brighton & Hove Albion and the right person to continue the club's progress and work with this outstanding group of players."

De Zerbi started his coaching career in Italy's lower leagues with Darfo Boario and Foggia before getting his first opportunity in Serie A with Palermo. He followed his Palermo stint with spells in charge of Benevento and Sassuolo, and it was with the latter club that his reputation for attacking, possession-based football grew.

Sassuolo recorded back-to-back eighth-placed finishes in Serie A before De Zerbi took over Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine cut De Zerbi's time with Shakhtar short, but he led the club to the top of the Ukrainian Premier League and success in the country's Super Cup before his departure.

Brighton will officially introduce De Zerbi on Tuesday. The Seagulls are fourth in the Premier League table and face Liverpool after the international break on Oct. 1.