Roberto De Zerbi has been named as Brighton & Hove Albion’s new head coach.

After Graham Potter left for Chelsea on September 9, the south coast club sought to fill the open managerial job.

Brighton made De Zerbi their first pick immediately away, and they did not even talk to anyone else.

The 43-year-old spoke with Brighton owner Tony Bloom, CEO Paul Barber, and technical director David Weir before being hired.

Bloom remarked, “I am beyond happy that Roberto has decided to become our new head coach,” upon De Zerbi’s arrival. The dynamic and fearless brand of football played by Roberto’s teams gives me confidence that our current group will be well suited to his playing style and tactical philosophy.

“We looked at a range of fantastic possibilities, but Roberto was our top option from the beginning and the only person we spoke to,” continued Barber.

“It’s no secret our chairman is constantly monitoring potential coaches, both here in our domestic leagues, throughout Europe and across the world as part of our succession planning work.

“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 has been without a club until joining Brighton. After spending time at Sassuolo in Serie A, he left to take the helm at Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine after 14 months due to Russia’s invasion of the nation.

De Zerbi is bringing all the backroom personnel he brought from Sassuolo to Shakhtar Donetsk to replace the coaches Potter took to Chelsea, which is the main reason it took so long to finalize his appointment. Before they can begin working at Brighton, some of those employees could need work permits.

The management at Brighton took notice of the midfielder who previously played for AC Milan and Napoli due to his reputation for an attacking style based on possession play.

On October 1, Brighton will play at Anfield against Liverpool.