Gus Poyet hails Tony Bloom as best owner in Premier League
Gus Poyet may have spent a decade away from Brighton, but that does not negate how much he enjoyed his time at the Albion.
For this reason, he was happy to answer questions about the Seagulls from England365.gr owner Christos Sotirakopoulos at a recent journalist discussion about the Greek national team ahead of upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Poyet finds himself manager of Greece these days having stopped off in several other countries in Europe since leaving Brighton in 2013.
The Seagulls are undoubtedly going through the best period in their history. Finishing sixth place in the Premier League means Brighton will play Europa League football in 2023-24 for the first time ever.
Roberto De Zerbi has done excellent work, but you might say none of it would be possible without the foundations from those who managed the Albion before him.
And many Brighton fans would point at Poyet as the man to start it. He was the first managerial appointment of Tony Bloom, introduced a new style and took Brighton from the League One relegation zone to fourth in the Championship.
Poyet was in charge of 194 matches of the Seagulls, winning the League One title in 2011 and playing a part in the successful move from the old Withdean Stadium to the Amex.
He has never forgotten the amazing days he had at Brighton, the support given by Seagulls fans or how important the change in home ground was. For Bloom, Poyet had special praise by setting him apart from every other Premier League owner.
“Brighton overall was the best job of my career and Tony Bloom the best owner in the Premier League. He is a great owner, top level and constantly gave me strength,” Poyet told England365.gr.
“The fans were excellent and embraced the team from the first moment I arrived. The same thing happened to me, back to them.”
“When we started playing well the mood lifted even more. Then the new stadium was an awesome stage. We felt like we had a lot of power in our hands to make the club and people happy. This is scary at times, because there will always be people who are not satisfied.”
Poyet believes that Brighton’s achievements in breaking into the top six this season deserve even more praise than they are getting, because of the current strength of the Premier League.
“In all those 10 years since I was in England, the Premier League has developed even more. There is no comparison, it is by far the best level and best league in the world.”
“It was even back then, but there was just always the objection that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t play there.”
“Now it is even stronger and more competitive, and for that reason what Brighton have achieved is even more important.”
“The Premier League is the top league in the world. It makes me especially happy that some people think this achievement of Brighton qualifying for the Europa League was started by me. It is honourable.”
Christos Sotirakopoulos – Dimitris Manakos @dimitris_manakos / England365.gr
