Sports
Man Utd Could Look to Appoint Roberto De Zerbi After Amorim
Manchester United could return for Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi in their search for Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor, journalist David Ornstein has suggested.
The Old Trafford side are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Amorim on Monday, just 14 months into his two-and-a-half-year contract.
With Darren Fletcher appointed as the interim head coach, United look likely to delay their managerial search until the summer, when some of their potential targets may become available.
While De Zerbi has a contract until June 2027 with Marseille, Ornstein suggests the former Brighton boss could be very much in contention for the Old Trafford role.
United Could Target Roberto De Zerbi
Ornstein, speaking on Sky Sports Back Pages, revealed both De Zerbi and England boss Thomas Tuchel could re-emerge as contenders for the Manchester United job, having been strongly considered before Amorim’s appointment:
“I think two who got the furthest last time before the Amorim appointment, and it was, I think spring-summer of 2024, is Thomas Tuchel, off the back of England’s World Cup campaign. Let’s see what happens there.
“And Manchester United do seem willing to give this time to conduct a proper process. Top manager, winner, very popular with players and develops, uses young players too. “And De Zerbi. You know, Pep Guardiola has spoken about him publicly as being one of the best coaches in world football.
“And yeah, many people have their views on him, but I’m always fascinated to see what De Zerbi might be able to do at the very top level of European football. “So yeah, I’m going to look at those two. They were so highly thought of by Manchester United last time that maybe they will look back in that direction again this time around.”
While De Zerbi has a contract for another season, Tuchel’s deal with England runs only until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
The German manager has publicly expressed his desire to stay beyond his current agreement, having enjoyed an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign, with eight wins from eight and no goals conceded.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Career So Far
Before becoming Brighton head coach in September 2022, De Zerbi spent most of his managerial career in his native Italy and had a short stint with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Italian tactician won his only piece of top-level silverware during his time with the Ukrainian club, lifting the Super Cup in 2021.
De Zerbi spent two seasons at Brighton, leading the club to finishes of sixth and 11th in the Premier League, before departing by mutual agreement at the end of the 2023/24 season.
He was shortly appointed by Marseille, whom he led to second place in Ligue 1 last season – the club’s highest finish in four seasons.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Open to Return
Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be open to returning to Old Trafford to replace Amorim following his sacking.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Norwegian tactician would be ‘happy to help’ his former club again, but it remains unclear whether he is a genuine target.
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