Brighton confirm Roberto De Zerbi exit after Man Utd clash
- Roberto De Zerbi will leave Brighton after Sunday's clash with Man Utd
- Italian boss led Seagulls into the Europa League
- De Zerbi had hinted at staying in recent days
Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed manager Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club after their final Premier League match of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Italian has impressed with his work on the south coast, leading the Seagulls into the Europa League with their highest ever top-flight finish after replacing Graham Potter, and has been linked with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Brighton were recently reported to be growing in confidence that De Zerbi would stay beyond the current campaign and the 44-year-old was dismissive of exit talk speaking ahead of the clash with United at the AMEX Stadium.
However, the club have now revealed Sunday's game will be De Zerbi's last in charge.
De Zerbi told the club's website: "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.
"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. Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans."
Chairman Tony Bloom added: "Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans.
"We have mutually agreed to end Roberto's contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future."
Soon after the news broke, BILD's Christian Falk affirmed that De Zerbi is Bayern director Max Eberl's prime target to replace Thomas Tuchel.
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