ROBERTO DE ZERBI is closing in on a shock return to management after leaving Brighton.
De Zerbi left the Seagulls at the end of the season to pursue a new job after making a huge impact in the Premier League.
The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were all linked with the Italian.
But the Blues instead hired Enzo Maresca from Leicester, Liverpool took Arne Slot from Feyenoord and United are sticking with Erik ten Hag.
It looked to leave De Zerbi out in the lurch but according to Fabrizio Romano, Marseille are ready to pounce.
It is claimed the French giants have sent contract proposal with negotiations underway.
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Former Italian international and AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was last year sacked by Marseille after just five months in charge.
He was replaced by Jean-Louis Gasset but the experienced Frenchman announced his retirement after the end of the season.
So Marseille have started the recruitment process with De Zerbi top of their wishlist.
De Zerbi replaced Graham Potter when the English coach joined Chelsea in September 2022.
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When the Italian was a relative unknown ahead of his move to Brighton, talks were held over the possibility of him taking over at the Stade Velodrome.
De Zerbi is known for his fiery personality and passion for football – something which will chime with the famously energetic fanbase at Marseille.
It was something the former Seagulls boss witnessed first hand when his Seagulls side played out a 2-2 draw with Marseille back in September during the Europa League group stages.
Asked then about whether he had ever been approached to take the job, De Zerbi outlined why it would be such a good fit.
He said: “It is true there was the possibility to come here and for me it was a great solution but we didn’t find the agreement with the club.
“I was sorry because this stadium, these fans are a big motivation for me. But for me it was better maybe because I found another big team, another big stadium.”
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Roberto De Zerbi’s Prem record
Matches: 70
Wins: 26
Draws: 19
Losses: 25
Goals For: 116
Goals Against: 110
And he gained a good reputation after taking Brighton to European football contenders.
But a drop off in form at the end of the season left doubts over De Zerbi and has since him snubbed by the Premier League’s top clubs.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
