Brighton issue update on Roberto De Zerbi's future amid Manchester United interest

Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has admitted that Roberto De Zerbi may decide to develop his career elsewhere amid Manchester United's interest in him.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News last week, United are interested in the Seagulls boss amid uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag's future at the club. The Ineos Group are understood to have analysed potential replacements for the Dutchman.

With 11 games of the Premier League campaign remaining, United are 11 points shy of the top four, meaning their Champions League aspirations ahead of next season are hanging by a thread. Should the club miss out on qualification for Europe's premier club competition for next term, it would represent a catastrophic failure.

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De Zerbi has overseen an impressive job since being appointed Brighton boss in September 2022, leading them to Europa League qualification last season. As a result, he has been linked with several high-profile jobs, including the prospect of replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Though Brighton have no plans to lose him just yet, Barber, who holds De Zerbi in very high esteem, has confessed that he may want to move elsewhere in the future.

"We don't want to lose him, he is an outstanding coach, probably one of the best in the world already, and that is going to make him attractive," Barber told The Athletic. "I think Roberto loves Brighton, he loves the club, the people, the infrastructure that we have, and there is this sense that the work he is doing is good for him as well as for us.

"That still means at some point in the