Simon Stone, BBC Sport
Remember September 2022 when Roberto de Zerbi arrived at Brighton to replace Graham Potter?
No-one knew a lot about the Italian but many wondered whether he could come close to matching the achievements of Potter, who had guided the Seagulls to fourth in the Premier League.
Alarm bells were ringing when he took two points from his first five games in charge.
But those early fears have proved groundless.
De Zerbi has built on the foundations Potter laid and brought a thrilling style of play to the Amex that has won plaudits across the country.
Even better, it has delivered results.
A sixth-place finish, an FA Cup semi-final and a European campaign that will endure until March at the very least.
Nobody can be entirely sure how long his tenure will last, but as De Zerbi celebrates his 50th Premier League game in charge with a game against ‘derby’ rivals Crystal Palace, his appointment has to go down as one of Tony Bloom’s smartest moves.
