Ex-Brighton boss Gus Poyet admits he found it “impossible to understand” the club’s recruitment methods after being appointed by owner Tony Bloom.
The former Chelsea and Spurs midfielder took over as Brighton manager in 2009 before guiding the club to the League One title and then the Championship Play-Offs, losing in the semi-finals to rivals Crystal Palace.
The Seagulls have become renowned for their excellent recruitment – with players like Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma, Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bisssouma and more all establishing themselves as top Premier League players despite being relatively unheard of prior to signing for the south-coast club.
But Poyet admits it was hard to wrap his head around Bloom’s methods upon taking over, and was surprised at how far it has taken the club – who will be playing Europa League football next season.
“I remember sitting in Tony Bloom’s office and I was learning, it was impossible to understand,” Poyet explained.
“But the years since, they have proved it is an incredible way to work. I didn’t expect that at the time.
“Now Roberto De Zerbi has arrived, people are looking at where he is coming from. Tony knew exactly at that moment in time what type of a manager Brighton needed when Graham Potter was leaving.
Embed from Getty Images“He’s a top coach. It is easier now for coaches to work under that recruitment system.
“Like I said, we don’t ask for a player or a name – we ask for a characteristic. It looked like Roberto may be leaving but now he is staying, it’s one of the biggest achievements for the football club.”
Poyet was speaking in an interview with Fruityslots.com
