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Roberto De Zerbi has addressed hypothesis linking him with the Manchester United scorching seat for the primary time since Ruben Amorim’s dismissal earlier this month.
Lengthy-Time period Successor
INEOS reached the bombshell choice to sack Amorim after an explosive breakdown within the relationship with sporting director Jason Wilcox.
Below-18s coach Darren Fletcher took cost of the senior facet within the Portuguese’s absence, earlier than Michael Carrick was then appointed as caretaker till the tip of the season. The previous Middlesbrough supervisor was handed a baptism of fireside – the Manchester Derby – for his first sport, however he oversaw the membership’s greatest efficiency in years as United demolished Metropolis on Saturday afternoon.
The two-0 win, which ought to have been a far larger scoreline, has reignited enthusiasm at Previous Trafford after the painful nadir within the FA Cup third spherical exit to Brighton & Hove Albion. There are even rising requires Carrick to be in consideration for the job completely – a prospect the 44-year-old coach is believed to have one eye on.
United’s plan is to nominate a long-term successor for Amorim over the summer time, when the pool of candidates will develop because the season – and World Cup – involves an finish.
De Zerbi is known to be one of many main candidates on INEOS’s shortlist after coming near being appointed in 2024, earlier than the membership finally determined to stay with Erik ten Hag.
Roberto De Zerbi – Managerial Stats
| Crew | Nat. | From | To | Video games Performed | Video games Gained | Video games Drawn | Video games Misplaced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darfo Boario | Italy | 19 November 2013 | 30 June 2014 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 |
| Foggia | Italy | 1 July 2014 | 14 August 2016 | 91 | 48 | 23 | 19 |
| Palermo | Italy | 6 September 2016 | 30 November 2016 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Benevento | Italy | 23 October 2017 | 30 June 2018 | 29 | 6 | 3 | 20 |
| Sassuolo | Italy | 1 July 2018 | 24 Could 2021 | 120 | 43 | 36 | 41 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | Ukraine | 25 Could 2021 | 11 July 2022 | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | England | 18 September 2022 | 30 June 2024 | 89 | 38 | 20 | 31 |
| Marseille | France | 1 July 2024 | Current | 63 | 37 | 8 | 19 |
| Whole | — | — | — | 457 | 198 | 102 | 157 |
The Italian supervisor, then accountable for Brighton, was interviewed and made a powerful impression. His tactical strategy is admired by United’s rulers, whereas his expertise within the Premier League is a key attribute they’re in search of in a brand new head coach, having been twice burned by exterior appointments earlier than.
De Zerbi responds to hyperlinks
Talking in a press convention right now, De Zerbi responded to studies linking him to Previous Trafford by insisting his focus is on Olympique de Marseille, the place he has been supervisor since June 2024, shortly after he was assessed for the United job.
The 46-year-old is getting ready Marseille to face Liverpool within the Champions League on Wednesday – and he insists tomorrow night time’s “essential” sport is the one factor he is considering, although he left the door barely ajar for a possible exit.
“My focus is completely on Marseille. I needed to return right here. The day earlier than an important, very essential sport, I’ve no area in my head to consider different issues. I really feel very properly on this metropolis with these gamers, with this membership. As for the long run, we now have acquired to talk within the subsequent month. Within the subsequent 12 months, I don’t know.”
De Zerbi’s contract on the Orange Velodrome Stadium expires in 18 months after signing a three-year deal when becoming a member of from Brighton.
Marseille are third in Ligue 1, eight factors behind shock table-toppers Lens, and have already exited the Coupe de France after a penalty shoot-out defeat to LOSC Lille final week.
Marseille is a football-mad metropolis with a proud historical past and standing inside French soccer. However the prospect of main INEOS’s revolution at Previous Trafford can be a temptation too troublesome for many managers to show down; it feels unattainable for one to do it twice.
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