‘Work for a big, big team’ – Barcelona managerial target De Zerbi drops future hint | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi was today drawn on the ongoing speculation surrounding his name.

This, of course, comes amid mounting reports that the Italian has made his way into the sights of La Liga heavyweights Barcelona.

On the lookout for a new manager ahead of the scheduled summer departure of club icon Xavi, the powers that be at Barcelona are understood to have drawn up an extensive shortlist of candidates.

Just this weekend, though, it was revealed that De Zerbi has emerged as the Blaugrana’s priority, owing to his attractive brand of football, and what was labelled by Diario AS as ‘Blaugrana DNA’.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, it should therefore come as little surprise to hear of the Italian tactician being asked for the latest on his future.

And though he was keen to reiterate his current commitment to the cause at Brighton, De Zerbi also confirmed his openness to linking up with one of Europe’s top clubs:

“When I hear that big teams are interested in me, it is an honour,” he began, during an interview with Sky Sports. “I am proud, but my focus is on my work day-by-day.

“About the future, I will speak with the owner [Tony Bloom] and with the club because I want to compete in the best way I can. 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.

Conor Laird | GSFN