Roberto De Zerbi makes Liverpool stance clear amid Pep Guardiola recommendation
Roberto De Zerbi is committed to Brighton despite links with Liverpool and reports that Pep Guardiola has recommended him for the Barcelona job.
The Italian arrived in England as an unknown quantity having been in charge at the likes of Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk before he was hired to replace Graham Potter last season. De Zerbi made an instant impact, guiding the Seagulls to Europe for the first time.
He's also claimed some notable scalps and caused problems for the top six sides. His brand of football has also impressed and De Zerbi is tipped to eventually take on a top job. There is soon to be a vacancy at Liverpool and the Brighton boss is among those touted as a possible Jurgen Klopp replacement.
Ahead of Brighton's clash with Fulham this weekend, De Zerbi said: "I have only Brighton in my head. I would like to finish the season in the best way with our young players - to compete and win as many games as we can. Yes, I have a contract. I have decided nothing. My focus is on Brighton - 100 per cent."
The Seagulls are desperate to retain the 44-year-old, who has done nothing but underline his commitment to the south coast outfit. He told Sky Sports earlier this year: "We feel we can write another part of Brighton's history.
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"Everyone feels this responsibility and we are working very hard to make our fans happy and our people working in the club. We will try and show our best.
"When I hear that big teams are interested in me it is an honour. I am proud, but my focus is on my work day-by-day. About the future, I will speak with the owner and with the club because I want to compete in the best way I can.
The Brighton boss is seen as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)"I want to understand the plan, and then it is not a problem to work in a big, big team or another big team. I would like in my career to compete to win the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Champions League but there isn't a time when you have to go and compete, or to wait some more time."
Barcelona are another team eyeing up a new manager come the summer with Xavi already announcing his departure. Joan Laporta, the president at the Nou Camp, has asked Guardiola for his managerial recommendation and the Manchester City boss has suggested he should pursue the Brighton manager.
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