Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi says enjoying his work is more important to him than winning trophies.

But the Italian admits he’ll be disappointed “for sure” if he doesn’t end the season by guiding the club into Europe for the first time.

De Zerbi, asked about his dreams and whether he can achieve them with Brighton, said: “To enjoy football, not to win or lose. To win or lose, we will see but enjoying my passion with my work, this is my dream. For now and for the future.

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“I believe in myself, with or without trophies. You can win a trophy not for the quality of the coaches but the quality of the players.

“I can help my players’ mentality, style of play, their attitude, and set pieces but coaches don’t win the game.”

De Zerbi narrowly missed out on steering Serie A side Sassuolo to the Europa Conference League two seasons ago before a year in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine and taking charge at the Amex Stadium in September, when Graham Potter left for Chelsea.

Brighton are in seventh place in the Premier League. Retaining that position would probably secure a spot in the Europa Conference League going into Saturday’s home fixture against against fellow contenders Brentford, who are below them on goal difference from two more games played.

De Zerbi said: “Sassuolo was my last year (of three). It was totally different. This is my first year in a new country with new players. I’ve had to improve a lot of things, English, knowledge of the Premier League, the players, the coaches.

“They are two different situations, but I think we have deserved to arrive in Europe until now. We will see, but we will fight to achieve our target, our dreams.”

Brighton also face Manchester United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley later this month after an examination of their unbeaten away record since October with visits to Bournemouth, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Manchester City meet Championship side Sheffield United in the other semi-final. The winners of the competition qualify for the Europa League.

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(Photo: Getty Images)