Roberto De Zerbi, the former Brighton manager, has expressed his sadness at leaving the club but is proud of their accomplishments during his tenure. De Zerbi took over from Graham Potter in September 2022 and led the team to their highest-ever finish in the Premier League last season. Despite a disappointing second half of the 2023-24 campaign, which saw them finish 10th in the league, Brighton competed in the Europa League and reached the knockout stages before being eliminated by Roma. De Zerbi, along with his backroom staff, will depart after Brighton’s final Premier League match. The Italian manager stated that he is leaving to allow both the club and himself to continue working in a way that aligns with their respective ideas and visions.
De Zerbi reflected on his time at Brighton, highlighting the intensity and challenges of working in the Premier League, particularly this season, where they competed in four major competitions. He expressed his enjoyment and stated that leaving now will give him the opportunity to take a break and decide on his future plans. Brighton chairman Tony Bloom praised De Zerbi’s contributions, noting the club’s first-ever European campaign under his leadership. They mutually agreed to end De Zerbi’s contract, allowing both parties to plan for the upcoming season. Bloom thanked De Zerbi and his staff for their hard work and wished them the best for the future.
There have been tentative links between De Zerbi and Manchester United, as current manager Erik ten Hag faces pressure to keep his job at Old Trafford. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding De Zerbi’s next move.
