Roberto De Zerbi insists he is not looking to leave Brighton & Hove Albion for another club as talks continue with owner-chairman Tony Bloom over the head coach’s future.
The pair have met twice, with discussions ongoing to agree squad strengthening plans in the summer transfer window for next season.
De Zerbi, linked with other jobs during the calendar year, wanted more business done in January after Brighton reached Europe for the first time by finishing sixth in the Premier League last season.
They have suffered injuries to key players throughout the current campaign, went out of the Europa League in the last 16 and will finish tenth this time if they win Sunday’s final game at home to Manchester United.
GO DEEPER
Brighton increasingly optimistic of De Zerbi stay
De Zerbi said: “First of all, we have to speak with Tony, with Paul (Barber, chief executive), with David Weir (technical director), we have to analyse the situation.
“If you are asking me if I have any club behind me to change my idea, no one. If I say there isn’t any club that can change my idea, I have always been honest, there isn’t any club behind me.
“But we reached the Europa League and I would like to have a great result every year. First of all because, I can’t accept (less) for myself.
“I would like if I stay in Brighton to reach every season the highest target we can. But with Tony, with Paul, the other part of the club, we argue and I have to be grateful.
“I will be grateful for the rest of my life with Tony, because Tony gave me the chance to work in the Premier League, to work in Brighton, to know my players and to know the fans.
“No one can cancel that. We can disagree in terms of the transfer market, targets (for the team), organisation of the club. Anyway, the owner is more important than the coach. The coach can say their opinion and I always want to say my opinion, because I think I have that right.
“I am working always for the good of the club, not for other things. And then when we speak I don’t think there will be any problems.”
(Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)
2024-05-18 17:39:34
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