Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi as one of the most influential coaches over the past 20 years.
De Zerbi has successfully led the Seagulls to European qualification for the first time in the club's history, with Sunday's 3-1 win over Southampton all but guaranteeing a top-six finish in the Premier League.
The 43-year-old Italian, who also led Brighton to the FA Cup semi-finals, succeeded Graham Potter at the Amex Stadium in September and has since been lauded for his attractive brand of football.
Only Man City (93), Arsenal (83) and Liverpool (71) have scored more Premier League goals than Brighton (70) so far this season, with De Zerbi winning 14 and drawing six of his 30 top-flight games in charge this term.
Brighton play host to champions Man City in their final home game of the season on Wednesday and ahead of the contest at the Amex, Guardiola has heaped praise on his opposite number for the influence that he has had on coaching in the modern era.
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Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola said: "Congratulations to Brighton for this incredible achievement of getting into Europe.
"I'm convinced that Roberto De Zerbi is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years. There is no team that plays the way they play, it's unique.
"I had the feeling that when he arrived I had an idea the impact he would have on the Premier League would be great but I couldn't expect him to do it in such a short time.
"They create on average 20-25 chances per game. They monopolise the ball in a way that hasn't been seen for a long time. Everybody is involved - the goalkeeper is like a holding midfielder."
De Zerbi spent the vast majority of his playing career in his native Italy, playing for a host of clubs including Napoli, Foggia and Catania, before hanging up his boots in 2013.
The former AC Milan youngster elevated his status on the managerial circuit with Sassuolo between 2018 and 2021 before moving to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he spent just over a year before joining Brighton.
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Guardiola believes that Brighton deserve all the plaudits that come their way for their success throughout this season under De Zerbi, and he is expecting a tough challenge against the Seagulls on Wednesday.
"If you don't play at a high level, he can do whatever he wants against you," Guardiola added. "They completely deserve the compliments and the success that they have.
"It's one of the teams that I try to learn a lot from, it's unique. It's going to be an incredible challenge for us ahead of the two finals.
"Brighton is a master of passing the ball to a man who is free, but also knowing when to pass the ball. They know how to move at the right time. They have the right tempo to pass to the man free.
"How aggressive they are with the ball they continued from Graham Potter because I think he installed something really good."
Man City have won 10 of their last 11 Premier League meetings with Brighton, including a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.
Oliver Thomas
