Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has called Roberto De Zerbi ‘one of the best in the world’ and has said the club ‘don’t want to lose’ the in-demand manager.
De Zerbi has been linked with leaving Brighton at the end of the season after an impressive spell in charge of the Seagulls. The Italian led Brighton to a top-six finish in the Premier League last season, securing the club a place in European competition for the first time.
Brighton have since progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League, where the South Coast side will take on AS Roma in a glamour tie this week.
De Zerbi’s work with Brighton has made him an attractive option to several top sides seeking managerial change this summer. Liverpool and Barcelona have both been named as admirers of the 44-year-old, ahead of the exits of Jurgen Klopp and Xavi respectively at the end of the season.
Manchester United has also been named as a potential destination for De Zerbi, should the Red Devils decide on change after an underwhelming campaign under Erik ten Hag.
Barber has said the club do not want to lose De Zerbi, but conceded the Brighton boss might want to take up the challenge at one of Europe’s elite sides ‘in the future’.
“We don’t want to lose De Zerbi, he’s one of the best in the world,” Barber said, as per The Athletic.
“Roberto loves Brighton and all people involved here — but at some point in the future he may choose to take that skill base that he has elsewhere.”
