New Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has admitted too much is unlikely to change for his first game in charge against Liverpool on Saturday.
The Italian was signed as a replacement for Graham Potter earlier this month but has spent little time with his squad as several players are out on international duty.
Potter had guided the Seagulls to fourth place in the Premier League before leaving to take charge of Chelsea and while his successor is keen to implement his own philosophy, he knows patience is key.
“I think I can do a good job,” De Zerbi told reporters.
“I didn’t work too much with the team because today would be the first day I can train with everyone, but I don’t want to change too much.
“For me it is difficult because I would like to put my idea but it is not good to change so much at first.
“The team has already done very well. The head coach has been changed but I can’t and don’t want to do what Potter was doing.
“I hope I can do whatever depends on me and my knowledge. Right now I have a lot of thoughts about not doing too much but at the same time I want to do something. This is the main point.”
Jurgen Klopp will be the first manager De Zerbi hires in the Premier League in what is an inaugural meeting between the pair.
It will be a baptism of fire for the new boss of the Seagulls, who will also face Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea in his first month.
But De Zerbi insisted: “Jurgen is a great coach. He achieved great results at (Borussia) Dortmund, great results at Liverpool and he has a great personality.
“He is a very intelligent, charismatic man and I am proud to play against him, against his squad in that stadium. Of course, the first game at Anfield, the beauty of it is something unique, but I have to keep the focus on my team, the instructions I need to give and what we can do.
“The game with Liverpool is very difficult for us but (also) for all the teams. I believe in my players. Liverpool is one of the best teams in the Premier League but also in Europe and the world.
“We know it will be difficult but I am confident that my players will play a good game and in the end we will see the result”.
Enock Mwepu will be absent from Brighton due to illness, but Tariq Lamptey (knock) and Adam Lallana (calf) are set to be part of the squad, even if De Zerbi admitted neither will be ready to start.
The Italian spoke to Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster during his first 12 days at the club and sought to adjust to his new life in England by visiting the local Donatello restaurant.
“We went to Donatello for dinner,” revealed De Zerbi, who spoke in English and Italian during his press conference.
“But we went there not to speak Italian because we want to learn English as quickly as possible because I would like to do the interviews in English.”
