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Title-winning manager admits Nottingham Forest and Brighton interest, could've replaced De Zerbi
Source: Just a

Say what you want about Brighton and Hove Albion, they have their principles and they stick to them.

When Roberto de Zerbi departed The Amex over the summer - taking on a fresh challenge at Marseille - some wondered if The Seagulls had 'jumped the shark' when appointing Fabian Hurzeler as the Italian's replacement.

At just 31, Hurzeler would become the youngest ever permanent manager in Premier League history. Was this a little 'too' Brighton?

Were Tony Bloom and co straying beyond risk and into recklesness?

Well, unbeaten heading into the September international break with a win over Manchester United and a draw at Arsenal to their name, the early signs certainly suggest that arguably the best-run club in England's top flight have made another decision which will see that freshly-baked selection of humble pies fly off the shelves on the South Coast.

Speaking to Radiozurnal Sport on YouTube, Jindrich Trpisovsky confirms that interest also came his way from The Amex.

"It was very difficult to refuse," Trpisovsky says when asked about Brighton's approach. "I appreciate that they were interested in me."

Brighton would instead put their faith in Hurzeler after he guided St Pauli to promotion from Germany's second tier.

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Trpisovsky is one to keep an eye on in the future should The Seagulls see another highly-rated young tactician go the way of De Zerbi and Graeme Potter, however.

The current Slavia Prague boss would not rule out accepting Brighton's offer if they were to come calling again at some point down the line.

Trpisovsky has been in charge of Slavia Prague since 2017.

In that time, he has won seven trophies. Trpisovsky has guided Slavia to the Czech league title on three occasions while being crowned the division's Manager of the Year twice.

Brighton, meanwhile, are not the only English-based club to run the rule over the former Slovan Liberec tactician.

Nottingham Forest wanted the Slavia Prague boss Trpisovsky's reputation was arguably at it's most glittering back in 2021.

His Slavia team beat Nice, Bayer Leverkusen, Leicester City and Rangers on route to the quarter-finals of that year's Europa League.

Trpisovsky, who's team were denied a place in the last four by Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, confirms that Nottingham Forest expressed their interest before Steve Cooper was brought in to the City Ground.

Forest will have few regrets about how things turned out either, given that it was the beloved Cooper who ended their two decade-long exile from the Premier League.

"The biggest interest was probably from Nottingham Forest when we were playing in the Champions League and they were trying to get into the Premier League," Trpisovsky adds. "I've thought about this a lot.

"Then this summer, I was thinking about one offer from a club in Western Europe (Brighton) and it was hard to refuse."

Trpisovky, who rules out a move to Saudi Arabia or Qatar in the near future, was also mentioned as a potential successor for the veteran Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace at the start of 2024.

He described those Palace links as a 'huge honour' shortly before Oliver Glasner arrived and got The Eagles soaring well clear of the relegation zone.