Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that manager Roberto De Zerbi will depart the club following their final Premier League match of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Italian tactician, who succeeded Graham Potter, has had a remarkable tenure on the south coast, guiding the Seagulls to their highest-ever top-flight finish and securing a spot in the Europa League.

Despite recent optimism within the club that De Zerbi would extend his stay, the 44-year-old will be stepping down. His tenure has seen Brighton achieve unprecedented success, including competing in four major competitions this season. De Zerbi has been linked with high-profile clubs such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona, adding to speculation about his next career move.

In a statement on the club’s website, De Zerbi expressed mixed emotions: “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.

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.”

Brighton Chairman Tony Bloom praised De Zerbi’s contributions, stating, “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.”

Following the announcement, reports have emerged linking De Zerbi with a move to Bayern Munich, with BILD’s Christian Falk indicating that he is Bayern director Max Eberl’s prime target to replace Thomas Tuchel.

De Zerbi’s departure marks the end of an era for Brighton, who now face the challenge of finding a new manager to continue their upward trajectory in the Premier League and Europe.