Rob: Roma won’t seal my future

Brighton v Roma

Europa League, Round of 16, 2nd Leg, Roma lead 4-0 on aggregate, KO 8pm

BY CHRIS HATHERALL ROBERT DE ZERBI says he won’t quit Brighton if they fail to qualify for Europe next year as his side try to overturn a

4-0 deficit against Roma.

The Seagulls are facing a Europa League exit at the last-16 stage after collapsing in Rome last week (right, Lewis Dunk applauds fans).

It has led to suggestions De Zerbi could look to move on, especially if his team – currently eighth in the Premier League – fail to return to Europe in 2024-25.

But De Zerbi (top, with Roma coach Daniele De Rossi), who has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona in recent weeks, says Europe will not decide his future. He said: “I have a contract here. I have a good relationship with everyone at the club.

“Whether we will be playing in Europe or not doesn’t change anything for me. Other things are more important.”

Those words will be music to the ears of Brighton fans, with most realising that taking a club that almost went out of business a few years ago into Europe in the first place was a remarkable achievement.

De Zerbi, who has key midfielder Billy Gilmour back from suspension, agrees and added: “To reach the Europa League was an incredible target to reach for our players.

“This is our first time in Europe and it’s normal you pay a price for that in the league and we have done. But my job is not just focusing on results, I also need to improve the team, the players, the club. So that when I do eventually leave, I leave the club in a better place than when I arrived.”

Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, who is expected to start the tie, said: “Games in Europe are different but you end up getting a feeling for it and it becomes pretty much normal.

“We know where we are, it’s a tough task. But it’s one we have to look forward to.”

BRIGHTON: