MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 21:29:59| >> :120:6721:6721:

Roberto De Zerbi responds to claims he could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

De Zerbi responds to claims he could replace Klopp at Liverpool
© Reuters
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi addresses suggestions that he could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi insisted that he is only focusing on matters at the Amex when asked about the Liverpool managerial position.

Jurgen Klopp announced on Friday morning that he would be leaving Liverpool this summer, and Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso is regarded as the favourite for the role.

De Zerbi has also been heavily linked with the position due to his impressive work at Brighton, but the Italian has sidestepped claims that he could be the new head coach of the English giants.

"My focus is just on the last part of the season," De Zerbi told reporters on Friday. "We are going to compete and to play a historic part of the season. We compete in the Premier League to reach the same target as last season (qualifying for Europe).

"We're going to play the last 16 in the Europa League. We compete in the FA Cup and we remember the defeat last season in Wembley and for it I keep my eye on my team."

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi on January 2, 2024© Reuters

Brighton will be bidding to book their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup when they head to fellow Premier League side Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.

The Seagulls are also in the last-16 stage of the Europa League, while they sit seventh in the Premier League table, three points behind sixth-placed West Ham United.

Klopp admitted that he is "running out of energy" when explaining his reasons for deciding to leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign, and De Zerbi has said that he 'understands' why his fellow manager has made the difficult call.

"I'm very sad because, if he changes league, changes country, the Premier League loses one of the best coaches in the world," said the Brighton head coach.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi during the match on December 28, 2023© Reuters

"I consider Klopp, (Pep) Guardiola, (Carlo) Ancelotti, (Marcelo) Bielsa the best coaches in the world and I'm sad for it.

"I can understand it very well. I think our work is the best work you can do but it is very tough. You need energy. You have to push every day. If you don't work with the right energy, you lose everything."

De Zerbi has also been linked with the Manchester United job amid the ongoing speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag's future as head coach.

The 44-year-old replaced Graham Potter as manager of Brighton in September 2022, and he has a record of 32 wins, 18 draws and 18 defeats from his 68 games at the helm.

Alonso was also asked about the position on Friday, and the Spaniard refused to rule out replacing Klopp at Anfield.

ID:535021:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4945:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Marcelo Bielsa

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso on September 15, 2023
Read Next:
Alonso "really happy" at Leverkusen but refuses to rule out Liverpool job
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!