Roberto De Zerbi will leave Brighton following tomorrow’s final Premier League game of the season against Manchester United.
The Italian, who departs by mutual consent, has spent two seasons at the Amex Stadium after joining in September 2022 but has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks with Brighton’s injury problems hampering his ability to guide the club to a second successive season in Europe.
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Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “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.
“I am sure our fans will give Roberto and his staff a wonderful and fully deserved send off at the Amex before, during and after tomorrow’s match.
“In the meantime, I’d like to thank Roberto and his staff for all their hard work in the past two seasons. They all leave our club on good terms and with our very best wishes for the future.”
Thank you for the memories, Roberto. 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/FQZ8YlwiKt
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 18, 2024
De Zerbi’s stock remains high and he has been linked with several jobs in Europe, most notably at Bayern Munich, who have yet to announce a successor to Thomas Tuchel, who will leave the Allianz Arena at the end of the season.
De Zerbi 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.
“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.”
