What Roberto De Zerbi has said about Brighton future amid Manchester United interest
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has kept his future options open after emerging as a target for Manchester United.
MEN Sport understands Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not completely sold on keeping Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after an underwhelming season. The Reds currently sit sixth in the Premier League and endured early exits from the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
While there is still time for Ten Hag to turn the campaign around, particularly if he wins the FA Cup and finishes in the top four, INEOS are understood to be looking at replacement options including De Zerbi. Since replacing Graham Potter, the Italian head coach has been widely praised for the possession-based football his team plays and led the Seagulls to the Europa League last season.
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However, it is not set in stone that the 44-year-old would move up north immediately once an offer came in from a traditional 'Big Six' club. In December, Brighton's manager was asked about signing a new deal at the AMEX and admitted he was keeping his options open.
"We are speaking about the new contract but at the moment we are only speaking," he said. "At the end we have to analyse the target.
"If the targets are the same as the club's, it's an honour for me to work in Brighton. I don't try to reach the higher level.
"It’s important for me to fix an important target." When quizzed in January about the soon-to-be vacant Liverpool job, De Zerbi shook his head and explained: "My focus is just on the last part of the season.
"We are going to compete and to play a historic part of the season. We compete in the Premier League to reach the same target as last season."
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