Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi believes that Jurgen Klopp is one of the most influential coaches in football and has outlined his sadness that he is leaving Liverpool.
Klopp announced earlier this season that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the campaign. The search for his successor is already underway, with De Zerbi being one of the names to be linked with the role.
The Italian has impressed at Brighton since taking over in 2022, leading the club to European football. He brings his team to Anfield on Sunday afternoon as the Seagulls look towards the European places again.
READ MORE: Roberto De Zerbi has already given clear Liverpool next manager response amid Xabi Alonso decision
READ MORE: What Ruben Amorim has said about his Sporting future after Liverpool dealt Xabi Alonso blow
Ahead of the game, the Brighton boss has spoken about Klopp’s exit from Liverpool and how much of an impact the German has had on both him and his fellow coaches.
“A lot of times I spoke about Jurgen Klopp I have big respect for him,” he told Sky Sports. “He’s a big man, a big coach, an incredible coach.
“I’m sad because he leaves the Premier League, Liverpool. But for us, for younger coaches, for my period of young coaches Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola are the most influential coaches.”
De Zebri's comments came just hours after news emerged over the future of Xabi Alonso. The former Reds midfielder was the clear favourite to take over at Anfield in the summer, but it seems that he will now be staying with Bayer Leverkusen.
It has led to Liverpool moving onto other targets. De Zerbi being one, while Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim is also being linked with a move to Anfield.
It’s not the first time that de Zerbi has spoken about Klopp’s exit. with him saying back in January: “I’m very sad because, if he changes league, changes country, the Premier League loses one of the best coaches in the world.
“I consider Klopp, (Pep) Guardiola, (Carlo) Ancelotti, (Marcelo) Bielsa the best coaches in the world and I’m sad for it.
“But I can understand it very well. I think our work is the best work you can do but it is very tough. You need energy. You have to push every day. If you don’t work with the right energy, you lose everything.”
