Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has joked he lives “in fear” of interest emerging in manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian has built on the Graham Potter era at the Amex Stadium and has the Seagulls in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
They currently sit seven points off fourth-placed Tottenham but boast three games in hand on Spurs and Sunday’s win over Grimsby has booked an FA Cup semi-final date with Manchester United at Wembley.
Chelsea were even linked with a move for the former Sassuolo manager during a difficult period for Potter, such has been their frequency in raiding Brighton during the Boehly-Clearlake era.
Spurs have also been touted as a potential suitor. Antonio Conte is expected to leave at the end of the season if not before, although De Zerbi has been keen to play that particular link down.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Barber said: “I live my life in fear of a phone call! Every times the phone rings I’m looking and hoping that it’s not from another club!
“Joking aside, obviously, Roberto has done a fabulous job.
“We know that anyone at our club that does well, just the same as any other club, gets onto the radar of the biggest clubs in the world.
“Clearly, we’re going to work as hard as we can to keep Roberto for as long as we can – not only because he’s a good coach, but he’s a good person.
“He fits the culture of the club really well, and obviously the fans are really enjoying what he’s doing.”
