It’s that time of year. Every season, unexpected storylines and curveball narratives pop up from nowhere, often in quick succession.
In the past week Manchester United and Chelsea have sacked their managers for off-field disputes. It points to a shift in how elite clubs run.
A manager not only hasto deal with players, media and winning football matches but they also need to play politics and be well-liked by board executives.
In both Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim’s case, there seemed to be a breakdown in relationship with the sporting directors who were upset at their suggestions on clearing players medically and even in formation and tactics.
It may be surprising, considering coaches are normally the ones to handle on-pitch strategies. But it’s a reality modern managers have to face. Hierachies aren’t just handling the business of the football club anymore. They want a say in how they play.
Man Utd have made a point to look for an interim manager until the end of the season, waiting until the summer to appoint a permanent man. A large reason for this is the list of potential managers that could become available after the World Cup.
There is a dearth of elite managers at the moment as many saw the World Cup as an opportunity to compete internationally. But we could see a lot of changes once the tournament is over.
Thomas Frank and Arne Slot are not producing results at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, respectively. Manchester City are possibly planning for life after Pep Guardiola. And Man Utd will be searching for a new permanent manager. So it’s plausible that managers at the World Cup could end up in the Premier League for the 2026-27 season.
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Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino was in the Premier League as recently as 2023-24. He spent a year in charge of Chelsea, suffering a sixth-placed finish. The Argentine also has an affectionate relationship with Tottenham.
Pochettino has not exploded the way many thought at Paris Saint-Germain and the United States, after some brilliant work at Tottenham. But he has been on Man Utd’s radar many times in the past, when the managerial post has been vacant. Especially when he was pictured dining with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2016.
Much like Maresca, Pochettino fell out with Chelsea’s hierarchy as he saw some of his requests denied. The former Tottenham boss wasn’t in favour of establishing a specialised set-piece department, and wanted to add more experienced players to a young squad.
He still finished sixth and got Chelsea European football but many expected more. His comeback to Tottenham has always been rumoured, and after the World Cup may be the perfect time. Especially with the manner in which Thomas Frank has been recieved since arriving.
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann’s contract with the DFB runs until 2028. But there is a termination clause in his contract should Germany fail to get out of their World Cup group. That may sound unthinkable, but it has happened at the past two World Cups.
Nagelsmann has mentioned being ‘hurt’ at Germany not getting past the quarter-finals at their home European Championship in 2024 — and could well continue past this summer. But, frankly, every elite club should at least chance their arm in having a conversation with the manager.
After a rapid rise in his coaching career, Nagelsmann has earned plaudits from around the footballing world. He was the youngest manager in history to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals at 32. His sacking at Bayern Munich was more about their pursuit of wanting Thomas Tuchel and disconnection with the dressing room. Although he had endured a poor run of form at Bayern, Nagelsmann is so highly rated it’s surprising to have not seen him in the Premier League yet.
He is still one of the most sought-after tactical minds in the game and a lot could depend on how Germany perform at the World Cup.
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Thomas Tuchel
Man Utd have previously held discussions with Thomas Tuchel who is a certified elite manager. His record speaks for itself. Success at Borussia Dortmund, taking Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League final, winning the competition with Chelsea, and reaching the semi-finals with Bayern Munich.
It’s rare to come across someone who has managed a set of elite clubs and can point to being successful at each of his jobs. Even at Bayern Munich, where his prickly nature was questioned, Tuchel won the Bundesliga and got to a semi-final in a tough environment.
His England contract crucially runs up until the end of the World Cup, allowing both parties to assess things after the tournament. Although his tactics are more on the pragmatic side, Tuchel received immense praise for his work at Chelesa. And he has previously proven that he can be one of the best coaches in the Premier League.
Once the World Cup concludes it would be extremely surprising if he wasn’t having discussions with clubs for his next move to England.
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Anceloetti has had previous success in the Premier League. And success everyhere he has been. A return to England could be unlikely, considering there is tension at Real Madrid with Xabi Alonso and Ancelotti hasn’t ruled out managing Los Blancos for a third time. But Ancelotti took the Everton job in a surprising move in 2019.
The Toffees finished 10th under Ancelotti, and declined after the Italian left. Ancelotti has the international pedigree few have in the game and the medals to back it up. He’s seen it all and done it all in every country you can think of, in every era you can think of and managed many superstars in different situations.
Athough things have changed since he managed Everton, Ancelotti taking over Brazil showcases he is flexible and open to the clubs he manages. The elite clubs in the Premier League could do worse than look to one of the best managers of all time that has aged like fine wine.
With two of the biggest clubs in the world changing managers within a week, the vacant job at Man Utd, unsure situations at Liverpool, Tottenham and Man Utd, all bets are off.
The current lack of managers to choose from could choose drastically in the summer. We may see more managerial merry go rounds, depending on what happens as the season unfolds.