The new year of 2026 has seen seismic shifts at the very top of English football, with two of the Premier League's most prominent clubs initiating major changes in the dugout. Chelsea and Manchester United both dismissed their managers in the opening days of January, casting a harsh light on internal club structures and the ever-evolving relationship between head coaches and sporting directors.
A Window of Waiting and Potential Fireworks
While the managerial carousel has spun rapidly, the January transfer market has begun in a notably subdued fashion. The standout deal so far has been Antoine Semenyo's move from Bournemouth to Manchester City. However, this transaction is widely viewed within football circles as a potential catalyst for a flurry of late-window activity. Industry insiders are predicting a very busy final stretch as clubs look to finalise their squads.
To delve into these stories and more, The Independent's chief football writer, Miguel Delaney, is hosting an exclusive 'Ask Me Anything' session. With years of experience covering transfers, managerial appointments, and cultivating sources within the game, Delaney offers unparalleled insight into the forces shaping elite clubs.
Your Chance to Ask the Expert
The live Q&A is scheduled for Thursday 15 January from 2pm to 3pm GMT. Delaney will tackle your queries on the ongoing managerial merry-go-round, the power dynamics at boardroom level, and potential moves in both the January and summer transfer windows. He will also analyse how these narratives are likely to develop across the Premier League and European football.
To participate, readers must be logged into a registered account on independent.co.uk. Questions can be submitted directly on the article page ahead of and during the session. For those seeking even deeper analysis, subscribing to Delaney's 'Inside Football' newsletter offers a weekly members-only email and more frequent opportunities to pose questions directly to our football insider.
