Brighton announce De Zerbi exit amid Man Utd & Bayern links

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 May 2024 16:01 BST
4 min read

Jan Paul van Hecke, Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton — © IMAGO

Brighton have announced that Roberto de Zerbi will leave the club at the end of the season.

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In a bombshell announcement, the Seagulls have revealed that the Italian is set to depart after Sunday's final Premier League game of the campaign against Man Utd.

De Zerbi has been in charge of Brighton since replacing Graham Potter in September 2022. The 44-year-old led the South Coast club into the Europa League last term but the current season has proved trickier.

Speculation surrounding the future of De Zerbi has been rampant for months. The Italian hinted that there was some trouble brewing behind the scenes after the January window closed when he admitted that he wasn't happy with the club's business.

Nevertheless, the announcement still comes as a shock. Just yesterday, Friday, De Zerbi stated that he was not in talks with any clubs and that he would be happy to continue at Brighton, though again hinting that there have been disagreements with owner Tony Bloom and club bosses.

Brighton statement

Over the past 24 hours, De Zerbi has emerged as the favourite to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich. In England, the Italian has frequently been associated with Man Utd, with Erik ten Hag's future still up in the air.

As part of their shock announcement, Brighton published the quotes from Bloom and De Zerbi: “Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans," Bloom said.

“We have mutually agreed to end Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future. I am sure our fans will give Roberto and his staff a wonderful and fully deserved send off at the Amex before, during and after tomorrow’s match."

“In the meantime, I’d like to thank Roberto and his staff for all their hard work in the past two seasons. They all leave our club on good terms and with our very best wishes for the future.”

De Zerbi said: “I am very sad to be leaving Brighton, but I am very proud of what my players and staff have achieved with the support of everyone at the club and our amazing fans in the past two historical seasons."

“We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions, as well as our work and human values."

“I have really enjoyed an intense and challenging two years working in the Premier League, not least competing in four major competitions this season. Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans.”