Roberto De Zerbi will ‘smoke more cigarettes’ if he fails to land new job soon

Roberto De Zerbi hopes to find a new club in time for the start of next season following his premature departure from Brighton.

But the Italian is content to smoke cigarettes and “watch 100 games per week” as he awaits a fresh opportunity.

Albion have already begun the process of identifying De Zerbi’s successor after agreeing to end his contract two years early.

The 44-year-old, who insisted he does not have another job lined up amid reports linking him to several top European clubs, ended his history-making tenure at the Amex Stadium with Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

“For sure, if I have to stay at home three, four, five months, it should be not a problem because I will work,” said De Zerbi.

“I will work studying different games, different teams, the style of different coaches.

“Football is in development, every year it is different and you have to keep the level if you want to stay at the top.

“Without football, it’s not so easy for me but I will smoke more cigarettes! I hope to find the solution before the season starts. But at the moment, there isn’t any team.

“Yes, I hope to work but otherwise I will watch 100 games per week, more or less, waiting for the next chance, the next solution.”

De Zerbi led Brighton to the last 16 of the Europa League and 11th position in the Premier League this term following an unprecedented sixth-placed finish and an FA Cup semi-final appearance last season.

He opted to leave Sussex as his vision for the future did not align with that of owner Tony Bloom.

Albion chief executive Paul Barber concedes it will be tough to replace a “top coach” but says the club do not put limitations on what can be achieved.

“We’re realistic about the relative success we’ve had in the last