Did Albion get the head coach Juventus wanted?

We will probably never know as Roberto de Zerbi prepares for his first press conference in Lancing tomorrow.

But it’s a nice line with which to go into this new Albion era.

The 43-year-old from Brescia may well be asked about reported interest from Sevilla and Juventus and, if so, will probably play those questions with a forward defensive straight out of Hove.

But it shows the circles in which Albion are moving.

The BBC today highlighted a story by The Times which reports Juve were looking at appointing De Zerbi “if they sacked Max Allegri” and wanted to hijack Albion’s move for the ex-Shakhtar coach.

At the same time, Corriere Dello Sport in Italy were insisting Allegri’s job is not at risk during this international break.

They quote the club’s chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene, albeit speaking before the shock defeat by Monza, saying: “Changing the coach would be madness. Problems must be lived and seen at 360°.”

But for De Zerbi to be mentioned in such circles is testimony to how he is widely regarded.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport report today: “The challenge now will be to repeat in Brighton those extraordinary results obtained both with Sassuolo and in Ukraine, in a team with many excellent players but without stars. Those that De Zerbi had neither at Sassuolo nor at Shakhtar.”