Liverpool will not be able to rely on the experienced leadership of renowned manager Jurgen Klopp for the 2024-25 season, as the German has announced his intention to take a break at the conclusion of the ongoing campaign. The Reds are currently in search of a skilled tactician who can step in for Klopp, and it appears that Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has caught their attention.
De Zerbi took over as Brighton’s manager in September 2022, impressing many top clubs across Europe with his aggressive style of play and ability to adapt on the fly. In his first season, De Zerbi led the Seagulls to a respectable finish in the UEFA Europa League, surpassing the expectations of larger clubs.
Initially, Liverpool did not pay much attention to De Zerbi, as Klopp had not yet expressed his desire for a break. However, with the end of Klopp’s tenure approaching, the situation has changed significantly.
According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Brighton has taken precautions to safeguard their interests in the event that another club approaches their manager. It has been reported that De Zerbi’s contract includes a release clause of €10 million ($10.8 million). Therefore, if Liverpool wants to secure De Zerbi for the 2024-25 season, they will need to pay this amount to Brighton.
Barcelona, another prominent European club, is also in the market for a capable manager. AS reports that they are interested in De Zerbi as a potential successor to Xavi.
Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari recently commented on Liverpool and Barcelona’s reported interest in De Zerbi, stating that the coach would be a suitable choice for both clubs due to his ability to respect their respective playing styles.
Longari said (via CaughtOffside):
“Regarding De Zerbi, he is the coach that I personally would choose for both Liverpool and Barça. The Italian would adhere to the essence of both clubs with his playing ideas and would have the opportunity to implement his philosophy in a club that aims to win every competition it participates in.”
Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola recently praised De Zerbi’s managerial skills, claiming that no team can match Brighton’s proficiency in progressing with the ball. It remains to be seen if Barcelona can afford the financial requirements to secure the services of this tactician, who has received the seal of approval from Guardiola.
According to the Source sportslens.com