The Premier League managerial carousel will pick up pace this summer and Richard Keys is trailing a stunning switch for Brentford head coach Thomas Frank that would send a shock through the game

Richard Keys has claimed Thomas Frank will quit Brentford for Brighton this summer in a shock managerial switch.

But the chances of such a deal becoming reality appears highly unlikely considering the years-long rivalry between the clubs' owners.

Brentford chief Matthew Benham once worked for Albion owner Tony Bloom before breaking away to form his own company in the gambling world.

However they fell out 20 years ago and such is the strength of feeling between the pair now that when Brighton visit west London Bloom chooses to sit among the away fans rather than in the directors' box.

There is no suggestion that Frank wants out of Brentford despite a tricky season in which they have only recently climbed away from relegation danger. The Dane has a contract that runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.

But Roberto de Zerbi’s future on the south coast is beginning to look less clear.

The Italian head coach, under contract for two more seasons, had previously been linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and has made his ambitions more than clear. Despite leading Brighton to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, recent domestic form has been a major concern.

And after losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday, De Zerbi said: “We are sorry for the performance but we are not able to give our best and, anyway, our best is not enough to compete at the moment.

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“We have a lot of problems but we have to find the energy to finish the season in a different way. Injuries are a factor for sure but motivation as well. Motivation in football is 80 per cent of our work. The performance today was not enough. We have always to play with soul, with honour and with pride because we are Brighton.”

Keys, in his weekly blog, wrote: "At Brighton Roberto De Zerbi continues to write his resignation letter. After the defeat to Bournemouth he returned to a now familiar theme - but with a little bit of a twist.

"We already knew he doesn’t believe Brighton match his ambition (honestly - the arrogance) but now he’s turned on his players, who he says, ‘lack motivation’. Wow. It’s over.

"Brighton’s latest defeat means that only Sheff U, Burnley and Forest have a worse record than theirs this season. They’ve won just six of their last 28. If Sean Dyche, David Moyes or any other domestic coach had a record like that there would be screams for them to be sacked.

"The Italian will leave at the end of the season - I’m hearing to be replaced by Thomas Frank, who can think himself unlucky not to have been linked with bigger jobs. Liverpool? Why not?"