Roberto De Zerbi (44) will leave Brighton & Hove Albion following the club’s final Premier League match of the season against Manchester United on Sunday. De Zerbi, who joined the Seagulls midway through the 2022/23 season after Graham Potter’s departure, guided the club to a historic sixth-place finish and a Europa League spot in his first full season.
“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,” De Zerbi said in a club statement. “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.”
De Zerbi added, “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.”
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom expressed his gratitude for De Zerbi’s contributions. “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.”
Bloom continued, “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.”
Under De Zerbi’s leadership, Brighton achieved their highest-ever finish in the top flight and reached the last 16 of the Europa League. His departure comes amid ongoing speculation about his future, with previous links to the Liverpool job and current interest from Bayern Munich. Current Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his plans to leave the German side this summer.
