Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Roberto De Zerbi has cast doubt over his future as Brighton manager, saying he needs assurances that his ‘plan’ and ‘vision’ align with the club before even considering a new contract.

The 44-year-old took over the reins from Graham Potter back in September 2022 and steered Brighton to European football for the first time in the club’s history with a sixth-placed finish last season.

The Seagulls have struggled to hit those heights this term, with the side sitting ninth in the table, though De Zerbi has coped admirably given three of his key players, Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez, were sold for big money last summer.
De Zerbi’s success on the south coast is understood to have attracted the attention of some of Europe’s elite teams and recent reports claimed the Italian had been installed as one of Liverpool’s top targets to succeed Jurgen Klopp after Xabi Alonso confirmed he would be staying put at Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the former Shakhtar Donetsk head coach, with both Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag enduring disappointing campaigns at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford respectively this season.

This weekend, Liverpool have an opportunity to witness De Zerbi up close as they prepare to welcome Brighton to Me...