“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss” is the iconic line from The Who’s 1971 rock anthem “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, written by guitarist Pete Townshend. The lyric expresses Townshend’s deep skepticism toward political revolutions, suggesting replacing leaders often just repeats the same systemic problems.
The 2026/27 English Premier League season will feature a variety of different central characters attempting to improve the fortunes of their respective clubs. Some will have huge shoes to fill (Enzo Maresca), some will be looking to contine the good work already undertaken by their predecessor (Marco Rose), and some will be attempting to succeed in an environment where many have previously been chewed up and spat out (Xabi Alonso).
With Arsenal winning the 2025/26 league championship, Mikel Arteta is likely to be offered a contract extension, but elsewhere in the division we could see eight to ten new Managers/Head Coaches plying their trade in the English Premier League.
After 10 seasons and 20 trophies, Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City (probably) and will be replaced by his former assistant, Enzo Maresca (probably).
You could make a very strong argument for Guardiola being the best and most influential Manager in Premier League history. His trophy haul speaks for itself, but his influence on the tactical landscape of English football has trickled down to the lower levels of professional & semi-professional football with many sides favouring his possesion based style with goalkeepers and centrebacks needing to be just as comfortable on the ball as midfielders and attackers.
He has also shown his ability to adapt and survive/thrive within the more physically demanding environment provided by the Premier League. His ability to continually evolve has ensured continued success and sets him aside from other great Managers such as Jose Mourinho & Arsene Wenger who struggled to move away from their respective philosphies which had proven successful in the past.
Following Guardiola may have put off many possible replacements, but according to Enzo Maresca he’d held talks with Manchester City about replacing Guardiola as far back as October 2025. He’ll inherit an incredibly strong squad minus John Stones and Bernardo Silva who will both leave at the end of this season, but the main question mark surrounds Rodri who continues to be linked with Real Madrid. Maresca’s time as Manager of Leicester & Chelsea showed he’s very much wed to the Guardiola style of play so Manchester City can expect an evolution rather than a revolution.
Chelsea – The appointment of Xabi Alonso may have suprised some fans in London & on Merseyside. After the exit of Enzo Maresca and subsequent experiment with Liam Rosenior, Chelsea have secured the services of ‘Manager’ Xabi Alonso. The title of Manager signals a change in structure from the previous role of Head Coach and would indicate Alonso requesting more power in matters away from the pitch. Despite a perceived failure at Real Madrid this season, Alonso was still in high demand. Real Madrid have shown themselves to be a volatile beast time & time again, and subsequent reports from Madrid have suggested President Florentino Pérez was never 100% sure of Alonso and was talked into his appointment.
Memories of Alonso’s achievements with Bayer Leverkusen are still fresh in the memory and Chelsea fans will be looking forward to him implementing the same exciting & attractive style of football which guided Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title. Some would argue the Chelsea hot seat is just as precarious as the Real Madrid hot seat, time will tell if Alonso has made a wise decision.
The Alonso appointment for Chelsea will be a bitter pill to swallow for a lot of Liverpool fans. With pressure mounting on current Liverpool coach Arne Slot, support for appointing Alonso at Anfield was growing. After Alonso accepted the Chelsea role it’s been reported by multiple sources there had been no contact from Liverpool as Arne Slot still retains the support of Michael Edwards (CEO of Football) and Richard Hughes (Sporting Director). Edwards, Hughes & Slot all have 12 months remaining on their respective contracts & if results don’t improve before Christmas then I can forsee wholesale changes at Liverpool.
Michael Carrick has done enough to receive a two year contract with Manchester United after finishing third in the Premier League and securing Champions League football for the 2026/27 season. Hopefully Carrick will be allowed to shape the squad to his liking in an attempt to contine the upwards trajectory the club has enjoyed since he replaced Ruben Amorim. With no European football this season, Carrick has been able to play his first XI on a regular basis without too much squad rotation required. Next season will not be so forgiving.
One Coach who will be in hot demand this Summer is Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard’s three year spell with Bournemouth will come to end shortly and his next destination is still unknown. Bournemouth currently occupy sixth position with one game to play, and Iraola’s tenure is regarded as an overwhelming success. Not only have results been hugely impressive, but he’s achieved it playing an up-tempo, attractive & attacking style of football which keeps supporters on the edge of their seats. He’s surely due an opportunity at a ‘big club’.
Iraola will be replaced by Marco Rose for the 2026/27 season. The 49-year-old was always Bournemouth’s number one target to replace Iraola because of his similar footballing philosophy and style of play. Rose was most recently Manager of German side RB Leipzig but was sacked in March of this year.
Rumours about Eddie Howe being under pressure at Newcastle United appear to have subsided & Arne Slot appears to be staying with Liverpool despite one of the worst title defences in English league history, but two Managers who are definitely moving on will be Marco Silva (Fulham) and Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace).
Marco Silva is rumoured to be heading back to Portugal to replace Jose Mourinho who is bound for Real Madrid. Fulham are yet to name his replacement, but whoever they do appoint will have a tough job following the popular Silva.
Glasner may be disappointed with his available options once the season ends. When he announced his impending departure earlier in the season he will have been confident of securing a role with one of the ‘bigger’ clubs in the Premier League, but with Carrick at Manchester United & Alonso at Chelsea, he may have to sit tight and wait for an opportunity later in 2026. History would suggest he won’t have to wait long for his chance.