Liverpool appear to have dropped their interest in hiring Roberto De Zerbi to replace Jurgen Klopp.
De Zerbi is still seen as one of the most outstanding young coaches in Europe and will doubtless end up in a top job sooner or later.
But at this point in time, the Liverpool position felt a little too big for him. There’s good reason he was always named among the top candidates, but he ultimately looks like missing out.
As Liverpool focus all of their attention on Arne Slot, De Zerbi has still been mentioned as an alternative should that fall through. But that should be considered as an unlikely scenario.
Nevertheless, the Italian is clearly a big, big fan of the way Liverpool play. And speaking to Sky Sports Premier League today, De Zerbi has hailed the Reds as well as their outgoing manager.
What has Roberto De Zerbi said about Liverpool
As Klopp prepares to leave Liverpool, he’s been showered with praise from fellow managers. Pep Guardiola in particular appears sorry to see his great rival go.
In his relatively short time in England, De Zerbi has also become a decent opponent for both Guardiola and Klopp.
Indeed, Liverpool’s win over Brighton earlier this month was Klopp’s first in five attempts against the 44-year-old.
Despite that good record against the Reds though, De Zerbi has hailed the way his managerial counterpart has assembled his team to play.
“I think Jurgen Klopp is one of the most important coaches in Europe and the Premier League,” he says. “The attitude, the passion, the intensity, the mentality of his players. They are different than all other teams in mentality.
“I think the Premier League will lose one of the most influential coaches and I’m not speaking only about football, but of his behaviour as a man. Football arrives second, first of all is the level of the people, that’s most important.”
What next for Roberto De Zerbi
Although it seems highly unlikely that De Zerbi will now be Liverpool’s next manager, that doesn’t mean he won’t be on the move this summer.
It feels as though the former Sassuolo manager has hit a bit of a wall with the Seagulls. With a couple of top jobs set to be open, he may well be in the running.
Bayern Munich have been strongly linked with hiring De Zerbi. However, it does appear that the German giants will move in a different direction.
More appealing could be a return to Italy, with AC Milan looking for a new manager, too.
Aside from that, positions could soon be available at both Man United and Chelsea. Expect to see De Zerbi’s name associated with both.