Brighton have confirmed manager Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club following the final game of the season on Sunday.

The highly rated Italian has been linked with a number of Europe’s top jobs after impressing on the south coast, having replaced Graham Potter in September 2022.

The likes of European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Juventus have most recently been linked with De Zerbi, though the manager has suggested he may not rush straight back into management.

De Zerbi said: “I am very sad to be leaving Brighton, but I am very proud of what my players and staff have achieved with the support of everyone at the club and our amazing fans in the past two historical seasons.

Roberto De Zerbi

“We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions, as well as our work and human values.

“I have really enjoyed an intense and challenging two years working in the Premier League, not least competing in four major competitions this season. Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans.”

Chairman Tony Bloom said: “Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans.

“We have mutually agreed to end Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future.”