Barcelona will likely pursue 44-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi, a target for Liverpool, to replace Xavi Hernandez.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Caught Offside, Roberto De Zerbi is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The 44-year-old is gaining in popularity in the managerial market. And Barcelona will likely pursue the Brighton & Hove Albion manager to replace the outgoing Xavi Hernandez.
Roberto De Zerbi has become one of the most highly-rated managers in the world in the last half a decade. An attacking midfielder as a footballer, he did not enjoy much success in his professional career, although he won a few titles. But he has been an excellent addition to the managerial world.
The Italian tactician began his coaching career at Darfo Boario. But De Zerbi rose to prominence during his spell with Sassuolo. While the Serie A club did not win any trophies during his spell at Sassuolo, his eye-catching brand of football captured the attention of prospective suitors.
The 44-year-old saw his stock rising further during his short spell at Shakhtar Donetsk, with the club winning the Ukrainian Super Cup. De Zerbi has gained more prominence at Brighton & Hove Albion, especially after guiding them to a top-six finish in the Premier League last season.
The Italian manager’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool considering him as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp. The German manager will leave the Merseyside club after this season, citing fatigue as his reasoning for the impending departure. So, Liverpool will need a replacement, with Roberto De Zerbi emerging as a viable target.
The 44-year-old is also likely a target for Barcelona, who will also enter the market for a manager to replace Xavi Hernandez. The former Spanish international will leave Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 season. Several managers, including Hansi Flick, have thus emerged on the Catalan club’s radar.
The battle for Roberto De Zerbi should escalate in the coming months. With Fabrizio Romano suggesting Barcelona and Liverpool will likely have him on their radar, it will be interesting to see if he leaves Brighton before the 2024/25 season begins.
