Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele surprised by hour-long Roberto De Zerbi call after surgery
03/20/2025 10:00 AM
Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele received a surprising Facetime call from former coach Roberto De Zerbi after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury several weeks ago. In an interview with TalkSport the Seagulls’ goalkeeper revealed he chatted with the current Olympique de Marseille manager for an hour following his operation in late January.
“I came out from surgery seven weeks ago, his team were playing a day later, Marseille, and he FaceTimed me for an hour on the Friday night. That speaks volumes about him as a person, as a human being,” said the former Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers shot-stopper, who became Brighton’s number one under De Zerbi when the Albion qualified for the Europa League.
"The day I came out of surgery, that evening I go back home in pain, etc and he FaceTimed me. My wife was sat next to me looking after me on the couch, and she's like 'I can't believe that's just happened, is that normal? I actually don't think that is normal."
Steele featured in both matches in the 2023-2024 season between Brighton, and De Zerbi’s future club Olympique de Marseille when the Sussex-based club pipped Les Phocéens to the top of the Europa League table. OM went on to reach the semi-finals that season, after Brighton were knocked out by Italian club Roma in the Round of 16.
GFFN | George Boxall
