De Zerbi had a nomadic playing career that spanned 15 years and 13 different clubs.
After hanging up his boots in 2013 he went straight into management and quickly climbed the coaching ladder.
However, just three months in the role Palermo gave him the boot after seven consecutive defeats.
De Zerbi was appointed manager of Brighton and Hove Albion in September 2022 after Graham Potter left to join Chelsea.
He scored eight goals in 22 games in Liga 1, and won the Romanian league twice and the cup once. He ended his playing career back in Italy with Trento in 2013.
Additionally, the impact he has had on players greatly increased Sassuolo's squad value. The club made several large sales such as selling Stefano Sensi to Inter Milan for £22.5million.
The sale of Manuel Locatelli in an initial loan deal to Juventus that should see a sale valued at £35million with add-ons included also illustrated De Zerbi's ability to raise the value of his squad.
Tre anni da grandi protagonisti coronati dal record neroverde di punti in #SerieATIM 🔝
— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) May 25, 2021
Sarai sempre parte della storia del Sassuolo 👏
Grazie mister #DeZerbi 🖤💚
In bocca al lupo per la tua nuova avventura!#ForzaSasol pic.twitter.com/tBYcJisoQb
He led his side to the Ukrainian Super Cup and lead the league after 18 games, scoring 49 goals with a win percentage of 83.33 per cent.
De Zerbi left Shakhtar as the war in the Ukraine escalated.
Following the departure of Graham Potter in a lucrative deal to Chelsea, Brighton owner Tony Bloom took a punt on De Zerbi, who was all but unknown to the average British football fan.
The appointment was designed to be a continuation of styles at the club, as both managers aimed to bring a possession-based style of play that prioritises pressing and chance creation.
De Zerbi's new side got off to an impressive start with a 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
🧐 “One game, one draw and you’re jumping up and down?”
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 3, 2022
✅ “Everything I said, the three points I made, are factually correct.”
Graeme Souness defends his comments about Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi pic.twitter.com/6DEjuorrCD
De Zerbi was reportedly on around £1.5million per year at Shakhtar, and it is expected that the figure increased to £2m when he joined Brighton.
Nottingham Forest play host to Brighton at the City Ground with both sides in desperate need of three points on Saturday afternoon.
In a strategic move to secure the helm at the Bernabeu post-Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid have reportedly initiated talks with Brighton's coach, Roberto De Zerbi.
Planet Sport Bet’s Robbie Savage is tipping Brighton to beat Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Planet Sport Bet ambassador Robbie Savage is backing Brighton to make history by beating Ajax in the Europa League.
Pep Guardiola has denied the speculation claiming that he backed Roberto De Zerbi to take over as Manchester City manager when he leaves.
Roberto De Zerbi praised Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool boss intervened to try and calm him as he protested against a refereeing decision during the Reds' 2-2 draw with Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Planet Sport Bet's Robbie Savage thinks title challengers Liverpool can get the better of Brighton at the AMEX on Super Sunday.
