Zerbi Disappointed with FC Bayern, Leaving Room for Opportunity
Roberto De Zerbi isn't keen on departing the Premier League, but his team, Brighton & Hove Albion, may convince him otherwise. This speculation has fueled talks of him replacing Thomas Tuchel at FC Bayern, who are in desperate need of a new leader.
De Zerbi, a potential successor to Thomas Tuchel at FC Bayern, has once again declared his intention to stay with Brighton & Hove Albion. "If you ask me if there's any club that could persuade me to leave: No, there isn't," The Athletic quoted the 44-year-old as saying. "I'd like to remain with Brighton to aim for the highest objectives every season." He added that he needs to discuss this with the club's owner Tony Bloom, managing director Paul Barber, and technical director David Weir first. De Zerbi's Brighton contract extends until the summer of 2026.
Under De Zerbi's leadership, Brighton reached the Europa League last season. However, they ended up in tenth place in the Premier League after underwhelming recent performances. Bloom is reportedly considering replacing him, with Thomas Frank from Brentford FC being the frontrunner. De Zerbi addressed the transfer speculation: "When I say that there isn't a club trying to lure me, I've always been truthful. There's no club vying for my services."
De Zerbi holds Bloom in high regard for giving him a chance in the Premier League. "We can disagree on transfer targets, the club's organization, or any other aspect. But the owner is more significant than the coach," De Zerbi explained. "The coach can offer their perspective, and I always want to provide mine because I believe it's my right to do so."
De Zerbi was previously linked to several top clubs, including FC Bayern. Reports suggest that Munich would need to pay a transfer fee in the low double-digit million range if they were to sign him. Bayern continue their quest for a new leader to replace Tuchel, who is leaving the club permanently in the summer. They have also failed to secure Ralf Rangnick from the Austrian team, Xabi Alonso from champions Bayer Leverkusen, and national coach Julian Nagelsmann in the past.
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Despite Bayern's pursuit of a new manager, De Zerbi's commitment to Brighton remains firm, stating, "There isn't any club that could persuade me to leave." If De Zerbi were to depart, he could potentially make a significant impact in the Soccer Bundesliga with FC Bayern Munich, a team currently searching for a new leader following Thomas Tuchel's departure.
Source: www.ntv.de
