AC Milan add Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi to their ‘shortlist’ of managers to succeed outgoing coach Stefano Pioli… as Italian side ‘identify several alternatives to Julen Lopetegui’

AC Milan have reportedly identified Roberto De Zerbi as one of several managers who could succeed outgoing boss Stefano Pioli.

Julen Lopetegui has also been heavily linked with an attempt to take over the Serie A giants, but in recent days it appears Milan are ‘looking for alternative options for the ex-Wolves boss’, according to Gazetta Dello Sport.

According to reports, Pioli will leave his position as Milan head coach at the end of the season. The decision was made after the Italian side were beaten 2-1 by neighbors Inter Milan last week, with the victory also ensuring their rivals lifted the Serie A title.

But speculation that Lopetegui could be named Milan’s next boss has received a lot of attention from many Milan fans. Supporters took to social media and wrote the hastag ‘#Nopetegui’, while a petition reportedly appeared online with 10,000 signatures in less than 48 hours.

It comes as Stefano Pioli is reportedly set to leave the Italian football club later this summer

There was also speculation that the Serie A side could turn to Julen Lopetegui

According to Gazzetta, it appears the Serie A side will instead turn their attention to several other managers, including the Brighton boss. The Zerbi.

The club claim the move to Milan would be ‘a move that fascinates De Zerbi’, but they add that the Rossoneri ‘would have to meet his £12 million (€15 million) release clause’.

He is joined by Paulo Fonseca and Mark Van Bommel, with the Brighton boss already linked with a move to Manchester United should the Red Devils part ways with Erik ten Hag.

Zerbi was also touted as a strong candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp before the Reds signed Arne Slot from Feyenoord.

The ex-Sassuolo coach is nearing the end of his second season at Brighton and is struggling to build on the success his side achieved last season. He finished sixth in Europa League qualifying.

The Seagulls were recently knocked out of the Europa League, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Roma in the round of 16, and have dropped to 12th place this season, having not won a game since beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the AMEX Stadium. on March 10.

Yet De Zerbi has previously warned Brighton that they must match his ambitions if they want him to remain in charge of the club next season. Bayern Munich are also keeping an eye on the Italian coach, who still has a two-year contract with AMEX.

‘What is the goal? What are we playing for? [for]?’ De Zerbi said when asked what had given him doubts at the beginning of this season.

“I have already spoken to Tony and in the future we will talk about the next plan and the next season and organize the next season and then we will find the solution. We should both be happy [about the targets] – myself and the club.’

Lille manager Paulo Fonseca is being considered as another option that AC Milan could target

Mark Van Bommel, who currently heads Royal Antwerp, is another name on Milan’s shortlist

Zerbi, who could be available for £12million, has previously ruled out an immediate move to Italy

He continued: ‘I have two years left on my contract and to be at Brighton next season I don’t need to extend for another year or another two years. I can stay, I can work at Brighton with an extension, without an extension nothing will change.

‘At this point we have concluded the discussion about the contract, but not because I decided to leave, no no. My focus this season and next season is on Brighton, but next season, before I start that, I would like to speak and listen to the team’s plan. I think it’s a serious matter.’

Despite this, De Zerbi claimed in March that he had no immediate plans to make a Serie A comeback, having risen through AC Milan’s youth academy as a youngster.

The Italian boss still has a two-year contract at the AMEX Stadium

De Zerbi has stated that he wanted Tony Bloom (pictured) and Brighton to match his ambitions

“It’s not true that I don’t think about it,” the 44-year-old said when asked about a return to Italy’s top flight.

“But most of the time I do what makes me happy and right now that’s where I am.

‘One day I will come back to Italy. I don’t know when, but when I made the choice to go to Shakhtar, I did it because I wanted to find a way outside Italy.’