ROBERTO DE ZERBI has already been ruled out of a major new job.
The Italian announced he will leave Brighton at the end of the season in a bombshell statement today.
He takes charge of his final Seagulls match tomorrow when Manchester United head to the AmEx.
And De Zerbi is being linked with a host of top jobs around Europe once he becomes a free agent in the summer.
However, according to Sky in Germany, he will not be taking over at Bayern Munich.
Bayern’s season finished today with an embarrassing 4-2 defeat at Hoffenheim – despite leading 2-0 after six minutes.
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And that prompted the end of Thomas Tuchel’s brief tenure at the Allianz Arena.
But although De Zerbi was heavily linked with replacing Tuchel, it is said to be completely off the cards.
Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “Confirmed from all parties involved that Roberto De Zerbi will not become the new coach at FC Bayern.
“Saga continues and time is running [out] for Bayern as many players from the current squad and potential new signings want to know who the new coach will be.”
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Hansi Flick remains the favourite to be the next Bayern boss ahead of Erik ten Hag, Ralf Rangnick and Zinedine Zidane.
De Zerbi, meanwhile, said he will “take a break before deciding my future plans”.
However, the Barcelona job could be enticing with Xavi set to depart.
De Zerbi has forged a strong reputation thanks to his two seasons in charge on the south coast.
Having taken over from Graham Potter in September 2022, he led Brighton to a club-record sixth-placed finish last season and the Europa League last 16 this term.
De Zerbi will be joined out of the AmEx exit door by seven members of his coaching staff.
He 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.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton spell
ROBERTO DE ZERBI’S spell at Brighton will come to an end following Sunday’s Premier League season finale against Manchester United.
The Italian boss, 44, took over from Graham Potter in 2022 after his move to Chelsea.
De Zerbi quickly attracted the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs for his attack-minded approach to coaching.
He guided the Seagulls to sixth in the Premier League in his first season – earning them a first ever spot in European football.. in the Europa League no less.
Brighton topped a tough group which included Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens but were KO’d in the last 16 by Roma.
Despite enduring a tougher season – with Brighton finishing tenth at best going into their final game – De Zerbi has been watched by the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
It’s expected De Zerbi will move to one of the latter two this summer with his Brighton contract ended via mutual agreement.
De Zerbi won 38 of his 88 matches on the south coast, losing just 28 times.
Prior to his time at Brighton, the Italian manager Shakhtar Donetsk, Sassuolo, Benevento, Palermo, Foggia and Darfa Boario.
“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.”
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Ipswich’s heroic leader and former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna, meanwhile, is reportedly a leading contender on the Seagulls’ wishlist to take over from De Zerbi for next season.
However, McKenna has just led the Tractor Boys back into the Premier League with back-to-back promotions and may decide to stay put at Portman Road.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
