Roberto De Zerbi, the current manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, has hinted at the possibility of leaving the club amidst speculation linking him to the managerial role at Liverpool. Following Brighton’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield, De Zerbi stated that he would engage in further discussions with Brighton before making any decisions regarding his future.
The Italian manager, who witnessed his side’s loss against Liverpool from the away dugout, finds himself among the leading candidates to succeed Jürgen Klopp at Anfield. With Klopp set to depart at the end of the season and Xabi Alonso ruling himself out of contention, De Zerbi’s name has emerged prominently in discussions.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract with Brighton, De Zerbi has paused contract talks with the club. He emphasized the importance of understanding the future plans for the team before making a commitment.
“I have another two years on my contract,” De Zerbi stated. “To work next season at Brighton, I don’t need to extend. At the moment, we finished the discussion about contracts but not because I have decided yet to leave.”
De Zerbi expressed his focus on Brighton for the current and upcoming season but stressed the necessity of clarity regarding the club’s objectives. He intends to discuss the future plans with Tony Bloom, the club owner, to ensure mutual satisfaction.
“My focus is on Brighton this season and the next season but before we start the next season, I would like to speak and listen to the plan for the team – it is a serious thing. I want to know the target and what we are playing for,” De Zerbi added.
Meanwhile, Liverpool secured a crucial victory against Brighton, extending their unbeaten run at home to 32 matches. Klopp, reflecting on the intense atmosphere at Anfield, emphasized the importance of unity within the team.
“As a unit, we have to get through this – we decide if we enjoy it or not. It will be tough and sometimes it is nerve-racking, our heart rates will be at 180, 200 sometimes but if we are all together, we enjoy it, we have a chance,” Klopp commented.
The speculation surrounding De Zerbi’s future adds an intriguing dimension to the ongoing managerial discussions in the Premier League. As Brighton awaits further talks, the football world anticipates developments regarding the managerial landscape at both Brighton and Liverpool.
