As the new Premier League season approaches, nine clubs are set to welcome new managers, with
Maresca Returns to Manchester City
Enzo Maresca has expressed his excitement about returning to Manchester City, describing it as "back home." However, he is already under considerable pressure following a disappointing start to his tenure, which involves the challenging task of succeeding Pep Guardiola. Maresca, who has previously served as both the elite development squad lead coach and assistant coach during City's treble-winning season, now faces the daunting challenge of restoring the club's dominance in the league.
After a successful stint at Leicester City, where he guided the team back to the Premier League, Maresca's brief time at Chelsea saw him secure the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup titles. City officials have long viewed the 46-year-old as a potential successor to Guardiola, who amassed an impressive 20 trophies during his decade-long reign. Maresca acknowledged the "privilege" and "challenge" of stepping into such a significant role, but a recent 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield has raised concerns about his ability to lead the team to its first league title since 2024.
Iraola Takes the Helm at Liverpool
Andoni Iraola, 44, has taken over at Liverpool, aiming to restore the club's famed "heavy metal" football after replacing Arne Slot, who was dismissed following a disappointing season. Slot had led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English league title just a year prior, making Iraola's appointment a bold move by the club's management.
Known for his tactical expertise, Iraola previously enjoyed success at Bournemouth, where he improved the team's league standing each season, culminating in a sixth-place finish that secured European qualification for the first time in the club's history. In his inaugural press conference, he spoke of the "magic" associated with managing Liverpool, fully aware that the expectations and pressures will be significantly higher than those he has previously encountered.
Alonso's Challenge at Chelsea
Xabi Alonso, who has been linked with Liverpool in the past, has now taken the managerial reins at Chelsea. His coaching career began in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, where he achieved an unbeaten domestic double in the 2023/24 season. This success led to a brief and tumultuous tenure at Real Madrid, which ended in January after less than eight months.
Alonso has acknowledged that his early departure from Madrid left a "scar," but he is eager to embark on this new chapter with Chelsea. The club is in need of stability following a chaotic previous season, which saw them finish 10th in the Premier League. With the recent acquisition of Morgan Rogers, now the most expensive British player in history, Alonso has the opportunity to reshape the squad. However, the absence of European competition may complicate his efforts to maintain harmony within a large squad as he seeks to establish a more stable environment at Stamford Bridge.
