BRIGHTON’S Roberto De Zerbi has allegedly emerged as the favourite to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich and put on a three-man shortlist.
The ex-Chelsea manager confirmed in February that he would be departing the German champions this summer.
Tuchel could even leave Bayern immediately, claims ex-Germany international Dietmar Hamann, after he conceded the title to Bayer Leverkusen after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso, who was also wanted by Liverpool, was lined-up until he confirmed he was staying with unbeaten Leverkusen, who are 13 points clear.
Now The Times have claimed that De Zerbi is “highly rated by Bayern’s management” and has now “become the frontrunner for the job”.
Max Eberl has recently arrived on Bayern’s board and has been tasked with overhauling the squad.
But this update states that he “is a particular admirer” of Brighton’s boss and that he “has already put out feelers to discover whether the Italian would be available” and also if he is “interested in a move”.
De Zerbi, 44, succeeded Graham Potter at Brighton in September 2022 led the Seagulls to sixth – their best-ever finish – to qualify for the Europa League.
He is under contract until 2026 but several reports have hinted that it has a buyout clause included that may be triggered in the summer.
He is another that is on Liverpool’s shortlist to take over from Jurgen Klopp, but both the Reds and Bayern have also switched their attention to Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim.
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De Zerbi refused to give much away regarding his future after Brighton’s 2-1 loss at Liverpool on Sunday, saying: “I want to speak with my club.
“I have a contract, but the problem is not the contract — the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future.”
Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness is the nephew of Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s long-time general manager.
He had been linked and was on the shortlist until he recently extended his contract.
Former boss Julian Nagelsmann, who was sacked by them 12 months ago, has also been reported to have been mooted for a shock return.
The 36-year-old still had over three years before the end of his contract.
Some reports say that it is now “understood that certain people at the club have realised that his sacking was somewhat premature”.
Ex-Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick, who will take charge of Austria at Euro 2024, is another name that has been rumoured.
