Real Madrid targets Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as Carlo Ancelloti’s replacement: Reports

De Zerbi could be on the move after a successful first season at Brighton.

Real Madrid targets Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as Carlo Ancelloti’s replacement: Reports

(L-R) Roberto De Zerbi, Real Madrid(Source: via PA Wire and Shutterstock)

Real Madrid is eyeing up Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi, as their next head coach due to Carlo Ancelotti’s contract expiring next summer. The Italian manager has been a revelation for the Seagulls as they currently sit in 3rd place in the Premier League.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s imminent departure from Real Madrid next summer – with a possible job as Brazilian National Team coach – Los Blancos has been searching for the right man to guide their team forward. While Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Bayer Leverkusen makes him the current first choice, Roberto De Zerbi’s incredible tenure at Brighton has also made him a target in Madrid’s eyes.

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The Brighton board will be keen on retaining De Zerbi’s services as he has brought them their most successful season since the club’s inception. The Italian was initially signed after previous manager, Graham Potter, took over the Chelsea managerial role. Doubts were creeping in. De Zerbi, however, quickly put them to rest leading the club to their highest-ever position in Premier League history at 6th through which the Seagulls managed to qualify for their first-ever European tournament in their history, the UEFA Europa League. 

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Brighton fans will be hoping for Bayer Leverkusen to allow Xabi Alonso to leave for Madrid as the ex-player has already received the blessing of Ancelloti who stated “Look, I’ve had Alonso, as a player. His knowledge of football is top level.” The loss of the Italian’s style will be felt around the Premier League. 

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Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton are off to a great start

Premier League pundits often talk of ‘second-season syndrome’ wherein a manager or player often finds their second season the hardest as they get figured out by other teams. For now, De Zerbi is in the clear. The Italian manager has bagged 5 wins in 6 games for Brighton which places them only 3 points behind league leader Manchester City.

Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi (Source: via SkySports)

The Seagulls have picked up from where they left off last season as they currently are the highest goal-scoring team in the league with 18. They also put an end to Manchester United’s 20 home games unbeaten record in the Premier League after convincingly beating the Red Devils by a margin of 3 goals to 1. Their success on the pitch has also coincided with Evan Ferguson’s meteoric rise as the young Irish striker managed to bag a hattrick against Newcastle United.

De Zerbi’s genuis, however, will be truly tested when they take on Liverpool and Manchester City in back-to-back league games next month.

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