Roberto De Zerbi confirms future plans after Brighton exit

Roberto De Zerbi says he hopes to manage in the Premier League again after his shock exit from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Seagulls announced on Saturday that De Zerbi would be leaving the club after their final game of the season against Manchester United - one they would lose 2-0 at the Amex Stadium thanks to second half goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund.

United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich had all been linked to De Zerbi prior to Brighton's announcement, but the 44-year-old revealed in the aftermath of Sunday's game that he had not yet been offered another role.

De Zerbi did, however, make clear his desire to work again in the Premier League at some point in the future.

"I spent the last 24-48 hours in a strong and tough way," he said. "We didn't find the right agreement to go forward, to stay. There isn't any club. No one offered [me a job]. I hope to work in the Premier League again. I don't know where or when.

"I have to be thankful to Tony Bloom and Paul Barber. Tony is a great owner and he knows what's best for Brighton. His recruitment is top and the future of Brighton will be great while Tony is owner.

"It won't be easy for me without football. I will smoke more cigarettes and watch 100 games per week."

Brighton have immediately been linked with appointing Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, who has also been ltouted for the top job at Chelsea after guiding the Tractor Boys to the Premier League, and Nice boss Francesco Farioli, who De Zerbi is rumoured to have provided a glowing reference for.

As for De Zerbi himself, a new opportunity awaits after previous spells at Benevento, Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, the latter of whom he won a Ukrainian Super Cup with in 2021.

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