Chances increasing of Brighton keeping De Zerbi for 2024-25

Just a few short months ago, it seemed pretty unlikely that Roberto De Zerbi would remain as Brighton head coach going into the 2024-25 season.

The Albion were in contention for another top six finish and fancying their chances of glory in both Europa League and FA Cup.

Some of the biggest jobs in Europe were set to become available. De Zerbi was being linked strongly with almost all of them.

And the Italian himself seemed to be paving the way for his own departure. His complaints about Brighton’s transfer work suggested here was a man who felt he had outgrown the Seagulls.

Announcing that talks over a new contract with the club had broken down could have been interpreted as him letting potential suitors know he was willing to leave the Amex.

De Zerbi even criticised the board in public. The Parable of Gus Poyet tells us Tony Bloom has no qualms in dispensing with those who dare question him.

Was this De Zerbi deliberately trying to upset the Albion owner, so Bloom would have less resistance in allowing him to go should another club come in for his services?

Tides change quickly in football, however. So much so that the chances of De Zerbi remaining at Brighton in 2024-25 have increased dramatically for several reasons.

De Zerbi linked with Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich

January and February brought the news that Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich would all be seeking new managers for next season.

Jurgen Klopp was to leave Anfield, Xavi the Nou Camp, Thomas Tuchel the Allianz Arena at the end of the current campaign.

This looked like it would pose a problem for Brighton. De Zerbi was high on the shortlists of all three clubs. As they fought over the same pool of candidates, the chances of an approach coming in would be much greater than if only one big European job were available.

The picture regarding who manages where next season has since become clearer. Xavi has done a U-turn and decided to stay at Barcelona. Liverpool have made Feyenoord boss Arne Slot their number one target.

That leaves only Bayern Munich. The bookmakers have De Zerbi as second favourite behind former Southwick player (and Manchester United interim boss) Ralf Rangnick. De Zerbi is currently around 4/1 to succeed Tuchel at the Allianz, compared to Ragnick at odds on of 1/2.

Other jobs which could become available

There remains the possibility that other jobs will become available of course. Erik ten Hag can consider himself a lucky man to still be in the hot seat at Old Trafford.

Many pundits believe Manchester United needing penalties to overcome Coventry City in their FA Cup semi final after blowing a 3-0 lead will prove to be the final nail in Ten Hag’s coffin.

Ten Hag may yet hold onto his job if United defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Right now though, it seems very likely United will be searching for a new head coach this summer. De Zerbi is sure to be amongst the leading candidates.

Chelsea have learnt no lessons about taking staff from Brighton, despite what happened with Graham Potter, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and the rest.

If the Blues dispense with Mauricio Pochettino, Todd Boehly’s default programming means he will automatically consider De Zerbi.

When this inevitably transpires, you would hope De Zerbi looks at what has happened to every other person to have swapped the Amex for Stamford Bridge and decides not to commit career suicide.

Italy

De Zerbi has made no secret of his desire to return to Serie A at some point. Several of the biggest jobs in Italy could become available this summer after Inter Milan cruised to their 20th title with little challenge.

AC Milan would be of huge interest to De Zerbi. Stefano Pioli is under immense pressure and expected to be sacked in the not-too-distant future.

Unai Emery was Milan’s number one target but has now signed a new contract with Aston Villa. Another candidate in Thiago Motta has since been strongly linked with the Juventus job in the event Max Allegri leaves his post.

De Zerbi would undoubtedly hope to be on Juve’s shortlist too. The most likely candidate to take over there though must be Zinedine Zidane.

The former Juve player has apparently told the club he wants to become their manager. You suspect a bloke who won three Champions Leagues as Real Madrid boss holds more appeal than one with a 4-0 defeat to Luton Town on his CV.

Brighton form casting doubts over De Zerbi

That nightmare night at Kenilworth Road is not the only atrocious result and performance of recent months. Since it became known that Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern would all be looking for new managers, the Albion’s form has tanked.

Out of the FA Cup. Out of Europe. Just three Premier League wins since the turn of the year. Two of those against abject opponents in Crystal Palace and Sheffield United. The other relying on Nottingham Forest to score an own goal.

Any big club considering De Zerbi will have had second thoughts watching the Luton game, the 4-0 hammering in Rome or the 3-0 reversal at Fulham.

Yes, he is contending with an injury list which has decimated a small squad put together on a budget. But the way Brighton have defended this season and the lack of Plan B amongst other issues leave question marks.

Just when De Zerbi needed Brighton to start performing if he were to impress Europe’s elite, the Albion have gone into a complete rut – and that ultimately may lead to him staying at the Amex for 2024-25.

Change in attitude towards Brighton from De Zerbi

Total coincidence of course, but De Zerbi has changed his tone and attitude in recent press conferences as it has become less likely he will be offered another job away from Brighton for 2024-25.

De Zerbi has instead begun talking about next season and how the experience of the current campaign will stand this young Albion squad in good stead for the future.

This has in turn led to a change in belief in the corridors of power at the Albion. There is now renewed confidence that De Zerbi remains in charge going into the next campaign.

Of course, things can change quickly in football. You only have to see how fast De Zerbi’s stock and reputation have taken a dent through Brighton enduring two months of bad results.

Right now though, the chances of keeping De Zerbi seem greater than at any point for some time. That has to be a good thing, right?