For so many reasons, the 2025/26 Premier League season feels like the end of one era and the start of another in English football.
Pep Guardiola has departed Manchester City after a decade of dominance, while Mohamed Salah has left Liverpool having cemented his place as a Premier League great.
But whenever one cycle ends, another begins. A new wave of clubs, managers, and players are emerging to reshape the landscape of English football. Here’s a look at what the next chapter of the Premier League could look like next season.
In this article:
Guardiola, Salah and co. exit to end Man City-Liverpool era
Let’s start with the most obvious. Pep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City is easily the biggest managerial change in world football since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
In a decade of domination, the Catalan boss won a total of 20 trophies, including six league titles, a domestic treble and a “proper” treble. He broke numerous records along the way, winning four titles on the bounce, a highest-ever points tally and so on.
He is not the only iconic figure leaving the Etihad with captain Bernardo Silva – who played for Guardiola more than any other player – also leaving. Tears were shed by both men and many others on Sunday.
John Stones’ impact in recent years has been far less prominent but his exit takes City further and further away from the team that ruled like few before. Only four players who started the 2023 Champions League final now remain (excluding Jack Grealish) and Rodri could still depart for Real Madrid.
It follows on from Kevin De Bruyne’s goodbye last year. The only player with a greater argument to be the best Premier League player of the last decade is also now off, Mohamed Salah saying an emotional farewell to Anfield on Sunday.
| Club | Players remaining |
| Liverpool: 2022 Champions League final XI | Alisson, Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate |
| Man City: 2022 Champions League final XI | Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Rodri, Erling Haaland |
The Egyptian King was the standout for Liverpool throughout all their success in the Jurgen Klopp years. As well as last season under Arne Slot with a final dance to end all others.
Andy Robertson moving on got less of the attention but is another sign of the changing of the guard on the red side of Merseyside. Trent Alexander-Arnold is already gone, Alisson could yet go this summer and Virgil van Dijk turns 35 in six weeks.
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Arsenal’s chance at domination
Man City (six) and Liverpool (two) had won all eight of the previous titles until this season but a new force has finally emerged in Arsenal. After three consecutive years of runners-up finishes and 22 years without the title, Mikel Arteta and co. at last shed the bridesmaids tag.
The coming years could be their era, starting with next weekend when they look to win the Champions League for the very first time. There is a real chance for the Gunners to dominate with their key players at a good age and finally getting over the hump this year.
Given they have now won 14 league titles, it is rather remarkable that Arsenal have not won back-to-back titles since the 1930s. Arteta can do what Arsene Wenger and George Graham could not.
READ: Premier League 2026-27 odds – Early contenders for the title, top-4 & relegation
The chances of that are further amplified by the state of all their supposed challengers. City are now in the post-Pep era and there is zero guarantee of success under Enzo Maresca. Or anyone else for that matter. We are also somehow still waiting for the verdict on their 115+ charges, which could yet render so much of the last 15 years irrelevant.
Liverpool will be looking to rebound after a truly abysmal season but the decision to retain Arne Slot looks like their first mistake. Their second was not hiring Xabi Alonso, allowing Chelsea to swoop in for a potential real coup.
The Blues are another of several big clubs to have had a genuine stinker this year. A 10th placed finish is unacceptable but it does give Alonso time on the training ground with a young group that still has plenty of talent.
No European football has always aided Newcastle’s league seasons under Eddie Howe and the same will have to happen if their mostly happy marriage is to continue. Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham are in the honeymoon phase after the great escape.
Recruitment – or the lack of – played a big role in all of their downturns. It must be better this summer with the middle pack getting stronger by the season due to their expertises in the market.
Aston Villa have enjoyed their best days in decades but can they build on their Europa League success? They have an oldish squad and not many recent signings have impressed.
Can Man United or anyone step up in this latest era?
The club who did massively benefit of good recruitment and no European football was Manchester United. But not before Ruben Amorim’s dismissal and Michael Carrick’s appointment on an interim basis.
That has since become permanent and it’s little wonder why. In his 17 games in charge, United have won more points and scored more goals than any side in the division. They’ve also beaten all of the so-called “Big Six” as well as Aston Villa. And they have Bruno Fernandes.
So much work is still to be done if United are to eventually become the next big side to end a title drought. Their summer business and far busier schedule will be two key factors in success for Carrick.
There’s plenty of change elsewhere. Andoni Iraola is out and Marco Rose is in at Bournemouth. The German boss has a huge act to follow and it surely won’t be long before Junior Kroupi, Rayan and Alex Scott are at bigger clubs.
Oliver Glasner leaves Crystal Palace after the UEFA Conference League final and Marco Silva probably won’t be far behind with his Fulham contract expiring. He’s been linked with Nottingham Forest, who could make yet another change in the dugout.
Their first manager this season, Nuno, went down with West Ham. The Irons’ absence from the top-flight for the first time in 14 years will take getting used to. A renewal of rivalries with Millwall in the Championship awaits.
In their place, along with Wolves and Burnley, are Coventry, Ipswich and Hull. The Sky Blues – and Frank Lampard – are back in the big time after 25 years away. The Tractor Boys make an immediate return and should be better set this time while the Tigers overcame Millwall, Middlesbrough and Spygate for an unlikely playoff win.
All in all, it is certain to be the division’s most transformative year since 2016. For many, that might be the year of Brexit but for the Premier League, it was Guardiola’s arrival and Klopp’s first full season at Liverpool, as well as Jose Mourinho at United and Antonio Conte at Chelsea.
10 years on, that era of English football is finally over and a new one is only just beginning. And that’s not even mentioning the World Cup.
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