Liverpool have reportedly decided against pursuing Roberto De Zerbi as their next manager as they continue to seek a replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
The Brighton boss had emerged as a top candidate for the Anfield job but it is now claimed Reds chiefs have turned their attention elsewhere.
Liverpool have big shoes to fill this summer after Klopp announced in January that he would be leaving after almost nine years in charge.
The German has already won the Carabao Cup this season and could add both the Premier League and Europa League to bow out in style.
Liverpool news: The Reds have decided against pursing Roberto De Zerbi
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Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso emerged as the top target following his stunning impact at Bayer Leverkusen.
But the Spaniard has decided against leaving the German club this summer and has vowed to ignore interest from the Reds and Bayern Munich.
That major development saw De Zerbi linked with the Liverpool job amid his impressive spell at Brighton.
The Italian also did little to play down the rumours when he admitted last week that he was not close to signing a new contract at the Amex.
But Sky Sports now says that De Zerbi is not a leading candidate and Liverpool are looking elsewhere.
It is instead claimed that the 44-year-old is one of the contenders to take over at Bayern, with Thomas Tuchel to leave in the summer.
The news comes after Roy Keane threw doubt over De Zerbi's credentials to manage Liverpool on Sunday.
The former Manchester United captain said on Sky Sports: "I wouldn't go that far [that he's too fiery] because he's his own personality and every manager is different.
"I think that's probably a big plus for him. Sometimes when you're a manager at a club you hope he makes a commitment to the club when he's asked these questions.
"I suppose there's a bit of honesty there, he's not sure where his future is.
"Which is a concern for Brighton, over the next few months and years with what they're planning.
"I look at his CV and I still have my question marks about is he ready for that step yet. For Liverpool, I've got my doubts.
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Liverpool news: Roberto De Zerbi won't be replacing Jurgen Klopp
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"His teams play a lovely brand of football but I still have doubts about what he's won to take that job."
De Zerbi still has two years remaining on his Brighton contract having replaced Graham Potter in September 2022.
But he wants to hold talks with the club's chairman Tony Bloom before committing his future to the Seagulls.
He said: "At the moment, no. We didn’t find the agreement. The contract is a part of the future.
Liverpool news: Roberto De Zerbi is said to be a leading candidate for the Bayern Munich job
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"It’s important for me, it’s important for everyone but it’s a small part, the big part is the plan. We have to speak with the club.
"I have a different way to decide my future. I want to speak with my club, I have a contract but the problem is not the contract – the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future.
"For me, I have not decided yet what is my future, because I have the contract, but anyway I want to speak with Tony, my club, to understand their plan, to understand his plan, the Tony plan.
"Then we take the decision together, without problems."