A number of different names continue to float around as potential options for AC Milan’s next head coach and one that refuses to go away is Roberto De Zerbi.
According to this morning’s edition of Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews), Milan are intrigued by the idea of hiring De Zerbi for two reasons above all, but it will not be a simple pursuit if they decide to try for him.
The first factor that tempts Milan is that he is a young coach with innovative ideas, who gives a precise identity to his team. Brighton have been widely praised for the way they play despite the players available, and he led them to the knockout stages in their first European campaign.
The second temptation is more sentimental, because it would be a return home. As a player De Zerbi came through the youth academy with the Rossoneri and he has never hidden his attachment to the club.
Where’s the catch? De Zerbi can only be acquired upon payment of the €15m release clause that is built into his contract with Brighton. Milan are not willing to pay such a large amount for a coach, in line with their policies on sustainable spending.
Therefore, it could be that De Zerbi remains a dream for the time being, unless Brighton – who have struggled a bit more in the Italian’s second season – were willing to negotiate that amount.
Just pay the money!
Facts
LMAO!!! 15 mil for another Pioli? right on…. Glad you’re not in charge.
Generally for me, De Zerbi Motta Conceincao in that order. Realistically, Conceincao Motta De Zerbi. Unless now that Juve have won the coppa Italia and they may want to forget Motta and stick with Allegri, Motta will then be more affordable for Milan but it wiill be exciting to watch him taking Bologna into the CL. I quite like Motta but trust De Zerbi more as he has the international experience , coached against a variety of tactics and intensity. I believe he’d as well have very little problems finishing in the CL places with a Bologna caliber in this seasons serie A. Last season everyone was dying for him and even thinking he was out of Italian clubs reach and suddenly he’s no good ,even when Brighton are only meant for a midtable finish at best which is were they currently are. Victim of raising expectations with minimal resources. Some people will want to kill a director if it was Milan hiring Slot but clubs like Liverpool don’t have all this skeptics around everyone and everything even when they already see the thing in you like ticking plenty of the boxes for the post. You’ve to go for it man. It either works or it doesn’t, the same for the more established coaches. Anyway any of the three coaches I’ve mentioned would do for me. Conceincaos tactics and personality should suit serie A well. I see Milan winning some derbies with him.
There was a lot of hype surrounding De Zerbi earlier this season, I guess it came from what he did with Brighton in 2022/23, his style of play and the fact that he is a Milanista, but this hype is starting to fade away.
Overall Brighton’s 2023/24 is not really better than prior to 2022 in terms of points and ranking, and it’s starting to look like a team that score more, it also became a team that conceides north of 50 per season in the premier league.
I don’t think we’re gonna go for him anyways, but he no longer seems like a good option for replacement in my opinion.
DE ZERBI is overhyped and inexperienced. The only reason anyone talks about him is because Pep said something about him… once.
Brighton are a mid table team having conceded more goals than scored. I mean heyll, Pioli is better than him at this point. Why would Milan pay 15MIL for that???
Don’t think De Zerbi is overhyped. He did pretty well with Sassuolo, improving every year. Last season they finished with 62 points same as Roma. He had a good season with Brighton and this season isn’t bad either. I mean what you expect from this team top5 finish? They’re midtable in PL and considering they sold Caicedo and McAlister and didn’t replace them properly I think it’s a good result. I must admit though he should improve defending.
This is the coach. Stop wasting time with hacks like Foncesca and the others. Get it right now.