'That's the next Man City manager' Pep Guardiola on Roberto de Zerbi

De Zerbi could be most likely candidate to succeed Guardiola at City

“That's the next Man City manager,” Informing his small audience, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola moved in and waved towards Brighton's coach Roberto De Zerbi who was out of earshot down the tunnel.

The Italian is changing the game of football and might be more than adequate to do so at the Etihad.

Roberto De Zerbi made his first trip to the Etihad Stadium nearly a year ago. He replaced Graham Potter, who was heavily sought out by Chelsea due to his stellar performance with the Seagulls and arrived under significant pressure after earning just two points from his initial four appearances.

Graeme Souness had previously blasted De Zerbi for having seven positions in nine years and little experience in the Premier League, saying the Italian was only catching up on his Brighton expertise online.

"The game was one of the toughest we could have faced because they propose a type of game that we are not used to, I would say a few teams are not used to," Guardiola said. "Outstanding the way they [Brighton] play. I’m a big admirer of Roberto and the way they play. We felt it, the players know it, how difficult it was."

The champions, Manchester City, handed his Brighton team a second defeat, yet after the 3-1 setback, De Zerbi received Pep Guardiola's endorsement.

Guardiola often oversells his rivals after City wins, but this time he wasn't exaggerating at all because he noticed signs of what one of the most gifted and inventive of managers was about to do.

Brighton thrashed Potter's Chelsea 4-1 in their subsequent game, soaring to sixth position in the Premier League and making history by being the first team to qualify for Europe.

If Guardiola leaves City they know who to appoint and the Italian manager will be an ideal fit for them given in his maiden season he led the Seagulls to the Europa League. Now one can imagine what he will achieve with those City players if he is appointed their manager in future.