Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has publicly addressed the growing speculation linking him to the soon-to-be vacant permanent head coach position at Manchester United, affirming his current commitment to the French club while leaving the door open to future discussions.
The Italian’s comments come as United, led by interim boss Michael Carrick, continue their search for a long-term successor following the recent sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Marseille’s crucial UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool, De Zerbi sought to direct attention to his immediate task. “My focus is totally on Marseille. I wanted to come here,” he stated. “The day before a very important, very crucial game, I have no space in my head to think about other things. I feel very well in this city with these players, with this club”.
When pressed on his future beyond this season, he added, “As for the future, we have got to speak in the next month. In the next year, I don’t know”.
Despite his present focus, De Zerbi’s name features prominently on Manchester United’s managerial shortlist. The club’s hierarchy, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly seeks a coach with proven Premier League experience, a profile De Zerbi fits following his successful tenure at Brighton & Hove Albion.
This is not the first time the 46-year-old has been considered for the Old Trafford role; reports indicate he was interviewed by United representatives in 2024 as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag and was a “frontrunner” before financial terms were not agreed upon. Sources suggest that admiration for his attacking, progressive style of play persists within the United leadership.
De Zerbi also spoke glowingly of the league he could potentially return to, noting, “The Premier League is absolutely the best league in the world, and I have great memories of when I worked in Brighton. It was an amazing experience for me”.
He tempered this praise by reaffirming his current project, saying, “At the moment, I feel very good at this club. We’re building something special”.
Any move by United would require navigating a compensation package with Marseille, where De Zerbi is under contract until 2027. Other candidates linked to the position include Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique and the recently available Xabi Alonso For now, United’s immediate fortunes rest with caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who has overseen a positive start, including a notable derby victory over Manchester City.