Roberto De Zerbi comments give Manchester United boost amid interest in Brighton boss

Roberto De Zerbi says he will not sign a new contract at Brighton & Hove Albion as things stand with Manchester United considering an approach for the Italian.

The 44-year-old is on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s list of potential successors for Erik ten Hag, should INEOS decide to show the Dutchman the door this summer. The Manchester Evening News understands Ratcliffe is not totally sold on Ten Hag, having refrained from publicly assessing his tenure when asked.

De Zerbi is also being linked with Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona with all three clubs set to lose their current managers at the end of the season. Napoli have also been mentioned. The manager is currently in discussions with Brighton over a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2026.

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However, his latest comments have opened the door for United with the Seagulls struggling to agree terms with their coach. Asked whether he would sign a new contract, De Zerbi replied: "At the moment, no. We didn't find the agreement. The contract is a part of the future. It's important for me, it's important for everyone but it's a small part, the big part is the plan. We have to speak with the club."

De Zerbi could not reassure Brighton fans that he would be at the club beyond the summer but insists he has not yet decided that he will leave. "I have a different way to decide my future,” he said. "I want to speak with my club, I have a contract but the problem is not the contract - the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future.

"For me, I have not decided yet what is my future, because I have the