De Gerby: “I loved my career as a football player – The war in Ukraine is like a nightmare”

He appeared disarmingly honest Roberto De Gerbi in an interview with “Gazzetta dello Sport”.

The Italian technician claimed that he gave up his career as a football player and started that of a coach when he realized that… he was wasting away and not having much fun.

At the same time, he spoke about the war he experienced in Ukrainesaying he thought it was a nightmare, while referring to the… ideal marriage with her Brightonalthough initially he did not particularly appreciate English football.

“In football terms, I didn’t get the job done. On a human level, I was amazed”initially said of his brief move from Shakhtar which was interrupted by the war that broke out in Ukraine to continue: “I knew nothing about war and what it means to leave overnight. You’re forced to accept this, but you can’t tell if it’s real or a nightmare. Watching TV, you know it’s true. I believe that luck returns if one behaves well in life. It didn’t go well in Ukraine, but I behaved well and that’s how I got such an important call [σσ. από την Μπράιτον]».

For the reasons he accepted the proposal: “I accepted for two reasons. First, I had studied the group and liked it even if it was a little far from my ideas. Second, the first meeting with the President and the sporting director in London lasted five hours. It made me understand many things. This Brighton team is very close to me, the one I feel I’m in sync with.”

What has impressed him at the club? “There is no chaos and they give me the freedom to work as I want and need. My staff members Andrea Maldera, Marcelo Quito and I watched four or five Brighton games each before joining. We weighed the pros and cons and made the decision.”

Afterwards, he admitted that he didn’t like English football, but he soon changed his mind…

“It wasn’t attractive, but when I arrived, it was love at first sight. I am lucky to be in such a strong team in the Premier League. Fortunately, I replaced a coach who had done a great job. I changed everything over time, but the team knew how to stand on the field and work.

The real secret is the experienced players we have here. Lewis Dunk, for me, is one of the five best center backs in the world. Pascal Gross, Joel Feltman, Adam Webster, Adam Lallana, Solly March, Jason Steele… Brighton should not worry when I leave, but when these players leave or retire.”

But when did he decide to become a coach and give up his career as a football player?

“When I realized I had wasted my career as a football player”he initially said and added: “I think I had fun for two or three years in a career that lasted 14 years. When I started coaching, it was like a second life for me and I knew the mistakes I had made. One thing I enjoy is managing a player who may seem difficult. I was the same as a footballer and I remember being more effective when I found coaches who knew how to deal with me.”