Charles Jackson
The training carousel around the world has been fascinating to follow, with top clubs failing to secure their key targets, but things could become clearer with Roberto DeZerbi entering the market following a mutual decision with Brighton as the manager leaves at the end of the season. The Italian manager is linked to Bayern Munchen work, but how Barcelona It is Manchester United There could be other positions to open, he may have no shortage of suitors depending on the direction things go.
De Zerbi led Brighton to their first European place in Europa League qualification last season and put them on track for another top-half finish, despite suffering numerous injuries along the way and selling a number of key talents . But good things must come to an end at some point.
“We have mutually agreed to terminate Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties, allowing us the first opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future,” said the Brighton chairman Tony Bloom. said in a statement. “I’m sure our fans will give Roberto and his team a wonderful and fully deserved send-off at the Amex before, during and after tomorrow’s match.”
De Zerbi’s final game in charge of the Seagulls will be at home to Manchester United, where a win could keep them in the top half. As Bloom said in his statement, they are parting ways for De Zerbi to consider his own future, while Brighton will also find out who their new manager will be, but where could De Zerbi go?
What’s next for De Zerbi?
Known for his progressive attacking game, De Zerbi has many admirers around the world, but the timing of this announcement is curious. On Friday, Thomas Tuchel announced that he would not return as coach of Bayern Munich next season despite contract negotiations, as the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. Finishing third in the Bundesliga for the first time since 2011, Bayern suffered a trophyless season and are now looking for a face-lifting rebuild. De Zerbi could be the man responsible for overseeing him, having improved every team he has managed, even with limited resources in the transfer market.
Your style would translate well to Germany but expectations would also be quite high for the Italian, as Bayern are expected to win every competition they enter. Another possibility could be Barcelona. Although things are murky, there are reports that Barcelona may want to move in a different direction rather than maintain xavi Hernandez for another season.
If that were to happen, there would be few managers who would be available to Barcelona due to their finances and inability to pay release clauses. Now that he will be free to negotiate his future over the summer, De Zerbi would not be subject to such restrictions. This is also where his flexibility in recruitment and ability to improve young players becomes highly coveted, as he could help Barcelona’s limited funds go further over the summer.
Manchester United could also be keeping an eye on De Zerbi if they decide to replace Erik ten Hag, but if Barcelona or Bayern come knocking on their door, they would be much more attractive destinations.
What’s next for Brighton?
In Graham Potter and De Zerbi, Brighton have shown that they can pick undervalued managers and watch them improve, whilst also improving the team. It’s a difficult task to achieve consistent results, but Brighton have done their homework so far and it’s fair to expect them to continue to do so. Although Potter is still a free agent after rejecting an offer to take over at Ajax, it does not appear he would be the best choice to return to the AMEX for a second spell in charge of Brighton. The Englishman finds himself in a slightly awkward position after being dropped Chelsea and he could be an alternative option, but someone more realistic could be Will Still.
Leaving Reims at the end of the season, Still took the world by storm last season with strong performances leading the club despite not having the manager’s badge, but will now move on. Further building his reputation at Brighton could be a step before landing a bigger job, similar to that of Potter and, potentially, De Zerbi.
The longer-shot options are Ipswich Town’s Keiran McKenna and Marcello Gallardo, former Al-Ittihad manager in Saudi Arabia. McKenna is a great manager who uses a high-pressing defense that suits Brighton, but just by winning promotion to the Premier League with the Tractor Boys, it will be difficult to release him. Gallardo was expected to take up a senior role after leaving River Plate, but that has yet to materialise. This could be a chance for that to happen given Brighton’s South American connections, but it still doesn’t look likely.
