According to reports in Spain, the Albion manager, who took over for Graham Potter in September 2022, has been approached by Los Blancos about replacing Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager next summer.
Ancelotti is expected to take over as Brazil’s national coach at the end of this season, with the country’s football association president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, insisting the 64-year-old will take over in 2024.
So, is De Zerbi, who Pep Guardiola of Manchester City called one of the most “influential” managers in the last 20 years, likely to leave the Amex for the Bernabeu anytime soon?
Going by his own comments back in May, the 44-year-old, whose contract with the club expires in 2026, appeared to be very content at the Sussex outfit.
“It’s an honor for me to work here [at Brighton] and to continue to work here,” he said before leading the Seagulls to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season. I never considered changing teams, returning to Italy, or joining another Premier League team.
“I’d like to stay.” I’m not sure how many years, but it’s an honor for me. I’m proud, and I’m having a great time working with these players and people.”
“It is an honor to be the coach of Brighton and work with these players,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. I’d like to stay for a long time. To be honest, I don’t want to lose this team because I enjoy working with them. [They are] a high-level group, and I don’t want to lose them. I consider myself fortunate to be working with them and present at this time.”
Furthermore, according to Daily Express journalist Charlie Parker-Turner, reports claiming De Zerbi is in talks with Real Madrid are ‘absolutely not true’ according to those close to the former Shakhtar Donetsk manager.
In addition, ex-Madrid player and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is said to be on the Spanish side’s managerial radar, despite the German team currently leading the Bundesliga.
That is not to say De Zerbi would not be enticed if Madrid approached him. The Italian spoke with reverence about the La Liga side in 2021, ahead of his then-Shakhtar side’s Champions League match against Ancelotti’s Madrid.
When asked what he thinks of when he thinks of Madrid, he says “[Emilio] Butragueo, Hugo Sánchez, Mchel.” That Madrid from my childhood. It is the Galactico club for some: [Zinedine] Zidane, Ronaldo, [David] Beckham… If they’re younger, like my son, it’s Cristiano [Ronaldo], Gareth Bale, Zinedine Zidane, and the Champions League… But it makes no difference: Madrid is always Madrid.”
“He is an important figure, and not just because he is a winner,” he said of Ancelotti. He has always been one step ahead. He has always rewarded the players’ abilities.
“He was one of the first Italians to record as many tens on the field.” He did it with Kakà, Ronaldinho, [Clarence] Seedorf, and a 9 at Milan. Just for that, I owe him gratitude as an Italian coach. He has always been able to adapt to changing circumstances. He truly is a model.”
In the short term, De Zerbi’s priority will be to propel Brighton up the Premier League table and into the Europa League knockout stages. More suitors will come in for him if his stock continues to rise, but he does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Brighton have demonstrated in recent seasons that no one is bigger than the club and that they can still progress after selling prized assets such as Moises Caicedo, Ben White, Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma, and others.
If he does leave, which may be too soon for De Zerbi, Albion will receive adequate compensation, and the Seagulls will continue to be successful as long as owner Tony Bloom is in charge.
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