Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi responds to Graeme Souness criticism

The 69-year-old pundit made comments about the Italian after he was announced as the next Albion manager last month, stating he was ‘not sure about the guy’ and claimed the Seagulls had taken a risk by employing him.

Speaking on TalkSPORT radio, Souness said: “De Zerbi, I'm not sure about this guy, I think its a risk bringing someone in that doesn't know our game, because of Google he could search up Brighton and he said he was impressed by them and the way they play football, but that’s not the work of a genius.

"I think its a risk bringing someone with his CV, that’s had seven jobs in nine years. If you are an outstanding coach people want to hold on to you. They’re making an appointment with a manager who has no history of the English game and doesn’t know the players, he will need help.”

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Speaking before this weekend’s game against Brentford, De Zerbi said the former Liverpool midfielder’s comments were ‘not a problem’ for him, as he searches for his first win as Brighton manager in his third game in charge of the south coast club.

When asked about the comment, De Zerbi said: “Nothing, I don’t suffer the criticism, for me it’s not a problem. The people can speak and give their opinion and I have to accept, for me it’s not a problem. I am 43-years-old, not 20. I know very well that I should focus on my work.”