'My understanding is De Zerbi is happy'
- Published
"If that coffee machine was not working properly, I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised to see it on the lawn."
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber is talking about his charismatic, perfectionist and coveted manager Roberto de Zerbi.
Outward assessments of the Italian can differ from the experience of those who work most closely with him.
What is clear is that De Zerbi has high standards and sets high targets. He doesn’t respond well to failure.
"We have learned what he says externally is a little bit misunderstood. He speaks with his heart on his sleeve," says Barber.
You get the strong sense Brighton are bored with the debate around De Zerbi’s future and would prefer to focus on other things.
That is understandable. But in an extended BBC Sport interview with Barber, one of those most forward-thinking Premier League executives, De Zerbi has to feature prominently, given speculation about the Italian’s future and links with some of the top managerial vacancies around Europe.
Brighton enter the final week of what has been both a historic and challenging campaign with a realistic shot at finishing ninth, which would be their second-highest placing and second-highest top flight points tally. De Zerbi was also responsible for the best last season.
Yet for the second half of the campaign De Zerbi has behaved as though he has had enough of the ‘Brighton model’ and that he resents the restrictions imposed by it.
Barber does not offer clarity over the De Zerbi’s future. But he does confirm conversations have always been honest and open.
"Privately, Roberto is quiet, calm, reasonable and sensible," says Barber.
"He understands what our limitations are. Behind the scenes, the model is very well known to him.
"He has got two more years to go. My understanding is that he is happy. He likes the club. He likes this group of players a lot. He knows he has a good owner. He knows he has good facilities. He knows it is a club that has a particular model and we won’t break it for anyone. Those are consistent. He also knows he can see me or Tony (owner Tony Bloom) at any time. There are no surprises."