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• Brighton chief salutes 'phenomenal' De Zerbi as Seagulls prepare for European tour

  Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has saluted "phenomenal" boss Roberto De Zerbi for leading the Seagulls to Europa League qualification.

  Brighton will appear on the continent for the first time in their history next season after securing a hugely impressive sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.

  De Zerbi has been a revelation since arriving at the Amex Stadium following Graham Potter's move to Chelsea, who subsequently sacked the coach after just under seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

  Barber has heaped praise upon the Italian, who also guided Brighton to the FA Cup semi-finals, where they were beaten by Manchester United on penalties at Wembley Stadium.

  "He's been phenomenal," the Seagulls' chief executive told Stats Perform at the Football Business Awards. 

  "It's his first time working in the Premier League. He's had to learn English, he's had to adapt to life in England, he's had to learn a new league, work with new players. So we're thrilled for him, and he's done a fantastic job.

  "It's the first time in 122 years that we've reached European football. So it's a fantastic achievement for the coaches and the players, and we're delighted for them. And also, I think it's a great opportunity for the fans to celebrate their club in a new competition for the first time."

  It was not all plain sailing for Brighton, who saw key forward Leandro Trossard depart for Arsenal during the January transfer window.

  But Barber revealed the club were prepared for any possible setbacks, and while he acknowledges more players may leave, he insists that selling is not a necessity.

  "The key thing has been succession planning, we have a plan for key positions within the club, should we lose people in those positions," he explained. "I think that's very important if you want to maintain momentum.

  "We're fortunate that we've got a very good owner. We've got a fantastic infrastructure, we sell out all of our games, and we generate great revenues from our sponsors, and from our hospitality and non-matchday work. So no, it's not essential.

  "But we also recognise that the best players want to play at the top level and it's possible we will lose players at some point."

  Barber is also confident it is only a matter of time before former Seagulls boss Potter is given another opportunity following his poor spell at Chelsea. 

  "Graham worked with us for three years," he added. "He did a fantastic job during his time and sometimes when you move to a different club, for whatever reason, it doesn't work out.

  "But what we do know is Graham is an excellent coach and an excellent individual. And I'm sure very soon, he'll be back in top-level football."

• Roberto De Zerbi wants to help Jason Steele follow Lewis Dunk into England squad

  Roberto De Zerbi hopes to help goalkeeper Jason Steele gain England recognition after claiming Lewis Dunk’s international recall is a comparable achievement to Brighton qualifying for the Europa League.

  Seagulls skipper Dunk has been included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, having been in international exile since his debut in November 2018.

  The 31-year-old has been rewarded for his key role in Albion’s sixth-placed Premier League finish.

  Former Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Sunderland keeper Steele has also been instrumental during a remarkable season at the Amex Stadium after dislodging Robert Sanchez as first choice in early March.

  Brighton head coach De Zerbi believes the 32-year-old is capable of joining Dunk in the national team set-up to compete with the likes of Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone.

  “It’s great news,” the Italian said of Dunk’s call-up.

  “I think it’s maybe the same big news like Europa League because to help one of our players to achieve a target so important, so prestigious is a proud (moment).

  “We have to be proud – not only the coaches but the players – for one player.

  “We will work in the next season to help Jason Steele to achieve the same target of Lewis Dunk because he has the quality to achieve one target so important.

  “In my vision, in my idea, Jason Steele is a top keeper. It’s difficult to find another keeper of this level.

  “I study football 24 hours per day but it’s very hard to find another keeper with this quality.”

  Steele, a former England Under-21 international who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, had never played in the top flight until last term.

  He has registered six clean sheets and one assist during the past three months, having been preferred to Sanchez due to his ability to play out from the back.

  Steele joined the Seagulls in June 2018 – on the back of suffering successive relegations to League One with Blackburn and Sunderland – and had to wait more than three years for his league debut.

  “Football is nice because the past is not important,” said De Zerbi.

  “I have to analyse the present and sometimes the potential in the future but the past is not important.

  “You can change your life in one day, if you believe in yourself and you believe in work.

  “And I told him the same: ‘Jason, you have to think you can change. I give you the possibility to change your life, to change your career and you have to believe in yourself because I help you and you help me and you help the team’.”

  Brighton complete an unforgettable campaign at Aston Villa on Sunday after cementing their Europa League spot with Wednesday evening’s 1-1 draw at home to champions Manchester City.

  De Zerbi, who succeeded Graham Potter in September, feels Albion can progress significantly next term.

  “I am looking forward to working in pre-season because I think we can improve in a lot of things,” he said.

  “We have played not more than 70 per cent and we have another 30 per cent of improvement.”

• Pep Guardiola has no concerns about ‘scoring machine’ Erling Haaland

  Pep Guardiola has no doubt “goal machine” Erling Haaland is ready to fire in Manchester City’s two upcoming finals.

  The prolific Norwegian’s output has slowed in recent weeks with just one goal in his last six games.

  For someone who has plundered 52 in a remarkable season that is a relative drought but that is hardly troubling Guardiola ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

  Premier League champions City face Manchester United at Wembley next weekend before travelling to Istanbul to take on Inter Milan for the European crown seven days later.

  City manager Guardiola said: “I’m not going to doubt about the scoring machine, Erling, right now.

  “We had the chances. Maybe he’s waiting for the right moment. He will be ready in the right moment to score the goals. He’s ready.

  “I’m very pleased he’s achieved all he’s achieved, and the goals and the records.

  “Then he goes to Brighton and plays the way he played. He still did damage (without scoring).

  “He could say, ‘I’m waiting for the two finals’ but it’s completely the opposite and I like that.”

  Guardiola has been impressed by how Haaland has dealt with expectation in his first season in English football.

  “I don’t feel he’s felt much pressure,” Guardiola said. “I think he’s handled it really well. He laughs, I think, when people (mention) expectations.

  “I remember in the Community Shield, we lost 3-1 and he missed one clear chance – all the memes, all the people talked about that.

  “I was close to him and he said, ‘Don’t worry, I will score goals’. He’s this type of guy. He has incredible self-confidence in himself that all he needs is the chance to score the goals.

  “It doesn’t matter what happened, he’ll never lose confidence. You define the football players and the athletes in the bad moments. It’s how you react.”

  City, who secured the title last weekend, wrap up their Premier League campaign at Brentford on Sunday.

  The Bees inflicted City’s only home defeat of the season when they won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium with an Ivan Toney double in November.

  Toney will not be involved this time after the striker was banned for eight months for breaching betting regulations.

  Guardiola hopes the player bounces back after he has served his punishment.

  Guardiola said: “Everyone has problems. If he made a mistake, you accept it and learn from that and (take) a new opportunity. I’m pretty sure he will be (back) better.”