Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi will not be on the touchline for the visit to Tottenham on Saturday. The 44-year-old will also not take part in the pre-match press conference.
The Seagulls’ assistant manager, Andrea Maldera, will be in charge for the game. He will also take part in the pre-match media briefing in the absence of De Zerbi.
The reason for De Zerbi’s absence is because he is recovering from “very invasive dental surgery.” The Argus say that he has been advised to rest until the weekend.
However, the Italian would not have been able to coach from the sideline regardless. Because he received his third yellow card of the season during the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace last week, De Zerbi would have been forced to sit out the game anyway.
He was handed a booking by referee Simon Hooper last week after complaining about a handball from Palace player Daniel Munoz, and he said afterwards: “The yellow card was right.
“I forgot that with another yellow card, I can’t be on the bench at Tottenham, but my players can play without their coach there.”
