Brighton manager Paul Barber has warned Barcelona against signing manager Roberto De Zerbi, as the Italian emerged as a potential replacement for Xavi.
The Catalans are looking for a new coach to replace Xavi, who is leaving at the end of the season, but Barber believes his club can keep the Italian.
“We want Roberto to continue as long as possible since he is doing an excellent job. It’s hardly rocket science to find out that the better someone does in a position, the more they’re going to be linked with other employment and possibly at bigger teams that are participating in even higher-level competitions than us,” he told BBC Radio Sussex.
“But when we’re in the top six or seven of the Premier League, in the last 16 of the Europa League, and still in the FA Cup, we’re operating at the highest levels of the game, so we’re confident we’ve got an appealing package here that will entice people to work with and stay with us.”
“We have to get rid of this constant notion that we are a feeder club for bigger clubs, whether it is players, coaches, or staff.” We’re actually doing okay. We’re still humble, and we’re extremely aware of where we’ve come from and where we’re heading, but we also have a lot going for us here. I am convinced that indicates a lot of good people want to come and stay here.”
Barcelona is not the only club that appears to be interested in De Zerbi. Bayern Munich is also said to be interested in the Brighton coach as a possible replacement for Thomas Tuchel.
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