Roberto De Zerbi has expanded on his post-match comments in Rome - and said Albion will be better prepared for European competition should they get there next season.

But he made it clear that Euro qualification, or otherwise, would not be a factor in any thinking over his future plans.

The Seagulls’ head coach said during a press conference held in Italian soon after 4-0 defeat at AS Roma that the “presidente” (chairman Tony Bloom), players and himself needed to learn a few lessons.

It was the line about Bloom which was most eagerly picked up by fans and those following the media reports.

But it was not all about the chairman and De Zerbi was very willing to expand as he spoke in his press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

There were very reporters at his Saturday afternoon press conference. It clashed with matches elsewhere.

It was a far cry from Rome in that respect .

But he seemed in the mood to open up.

Most of the questions on this topic were asked by myself and former Argus reporter Andy Naylor, of The Athletic.

I asked him specifically about those comments in Rome.

De Zerbi said: “All people who work in Brighton have to improve from this season.

“First of all the coach, myself, because I made mistakes from January to March.

“I played every game with JP van Hecke, Dunk, Bill Gilmour, Pascal Gross, Igor and we reached the crucial moment of the season in not good condition.

“First of all, it is my responsibility.

“But it is difficult if you have for six months seven, eight, sometimes ten, sometimes five injured players for Brighton because we are not used to playing so many games.

“After that, we could play better at Luton? Yes.

“We could win more games at the Amex with Burnley, Sheffield, Everton? Yes.

“We lost at Fulham in a bad way and we could play better? Yes.

“We have responsibilities? Yes.

“But it is for all, the improvement.”

De Zerbi would love to see Albion back in Europe next season although they are currently outside the qualification places.

By the way, not getting there is not to be defined as "failing to qualify for Europe".

Finishing outside the European places is not in itself failure for Albion.

De Zerbi was asked whether he was looking to next season in Europe and replied: “I don’t know. We have to finish this season in the best way.

“We have the chance to fight to reach another European position.

“I am sure the next time Brighton will play in European competition, we will be ready to compete and to organise everything better.”

That is where “presidente” also comes in.

That is the title given the top man at football clubs in various European nations, including his native Italy.

In practice, it is thought he is actually referring to the club’s ultimate decision-makers in general.

Asked about a season with European football, De Zerbi said: "It's different in terms of how many players you have to bring into the squad.

“It's different in everything - day off, organisation of medical staff.

“We are paying a big, big price, because it's very tough to accept the defeat in Rome.

“It's a real pain for me, for the club, for the players, but we have to accept it, to learn in terms of deciding if we want to compete at a high level or not and play one game per week, Wednesday we stay to play golf.

"We play as Nottingham this season, Brighton last season, Brentford this season, one game per week.

“If we want to compete, we have to compete in a different way.

“If we want to listen to the truth, I can say nothing.

“But the truth is like this. It's tough to accept the truth, but maybe we have not been so ready to compete.

“But don't worry, because I have spoken a lot of times like this.

“I always give respect to everyone, but I decide always to say my truth.”

Injuries have been a constant in Albion’s season and they have returned just when the problems seemed to be easing.

There could be a thought process that they would have been more active in terms of mid-season signings had injuries to players such as Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood happened with the window still open.

But would that really have happened?

It would be somewhat contrary to the idea that the longer-term commitment of a signing is not the way to cover the shorter-term problem of an injury.

Would they, or could they? Maybe the squad was not quite big enough from the start.

That will be assessed, no doubt.

De Zerbi’s post-match comments in his press conference at Roma were interpreted by some as a sign of him being unsettled.

They could just as easily have been seen as affirmation that his thoughts are only on progressing with Albion.

Equally, back at Lancing yesterday, he said: "This season can be important for me, for the players, for the club. If we want to compete at this level, you have to organise.

“You cannot think like last season, or two seasons ago.”

I do not totally understand why De Zerbi's future is such a constant source of debate and why every interview is put under the microscope. But it is and they are

Of course he is under contract and it is not imperative that a new one is signed yet.

But, if he were to be unsettled or receive the right offer, the club have a policy of not standing in the way.

I suspect I am more confident than many that De Zerbi will still be at Albion next season.

It does not feel like he is finished here and his comments in Italy seemed to bear that out.

One thing his future will not depend on is whether Albion play in Europe.

He said: “I work not for if we are in the Europa League I stay or… no. no.

“I work for different things. I have to feel what I feel now in Brighton.

“I am proud to work here. I love my players, I love my club, I love my fans but I don’t decide my future depending on the competition we have to play.

“Football in my life is more important than the competition we have to play.

“In the morning when I wake up, I want to be happy, to be proud to work.

"And I want to be followed and listened to.”