Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly braced for the potential departure of head coach Roberto De Zerbi this summer amid interest from a number of clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool.
The 44-year-old has established himself as one of Europe's brightest young coaches since replacing Graham Potter as Seagulls boss in September 2022.
After three years with Sassuolo and a brief 10-month stint at Shakhtar Donetsk, De Zerbi successfully steered Brighton to Europa League qualification for the first time in the club's history last season, courtesy of a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.
The Seagulls continue to compete in the top half of the table this term under the Italian, currently sitting ninth and only two points behind Newcastle United in seventh, while they have already progressed to the Europa League last 16 and to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
De Zerbi has received plenty of plaudits for his attractive brand of football and ability to work with a host of young players at Brighton.
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At the end of last year, the Italian admitted that he 'feels very good in Brighton' and confirmed that he is in talks with the club over extending his contract beyond June 2026.
However, according to the Daily Mail, the Seagulls are braced for the possible departure of De Zerbi at the end of the season, with both Man United and Liverpool said to be keeping tabs on the Italian.
The news comes three months after Brighton CEO Paul Barber admitted that the club are "prepared" for De Zerbi's exit and have "succession plans in place" to appoint a suitable replacement.
De Zerbi is said to be admired by members of INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently had his 25% purchase of Man United approved by the Premier League, enabling him to take complete control of the club's football operations.
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Man United are currently managed by Erik ten Hag, but there have been suggestions that Ratcliffe and co could look to appoint a new boss of their choosing, especially if the Red Devils end the current campaign in disappointing fashion.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are said to have earmarked De Zerbi as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp, who has announced that he will be ending his memorable eight-and-a-half-year reign at Anfield at the end of the season.
The Reds are believed to have stepped up their hunt for a new manager, with Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso emerging as the current frontrunner to take the reins ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
However, Liverpool could face competition for Alonso's signature, as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also believed to be interested in the Spaniard.
Should Liverpool miss out on appointing Alonso, they could turn to De Zerbi, although he recently dismissed rumours of a potential summer switch to Anfield.
Oliver Thomas
