The Premier League 2025-26 season has been one to forget for several clubs and individuals. From Newcastle's costly signings to Tottenham's managerial merry-go-round, the campaign has been defined by underperformance and disappointment.
Newcastle's Summer Signings
Newcastle's year-long pursuit of Yoane Wissa from Brentford finally ended in September with a £55m fee. The DR Congo forward, who scored 19 goals last season, was expected to lead Eddie Howe's charge in the Premier League and Europe. Instead, he has been a peripheral figure. Wissa has scored just once in 13 league appearances, starting only four times, as he has struggled to adapt to Newcastle's system and build rapport with teammates. The £65m Nick Woltemade and £55m Anthony Elanga have also failed to impress, often watching from the bench as Jacob Murphy and Will Osula were preferred. Newcastle finished 12th, dropping seven places from last season, and will miss out on European football. With Anthony Gordon expected to leave, faith in the club's recruitment is waning.
Tottenham's Turmoil
After finishing 17th last season, Tottenham hoped Thomas Frank would bring stability. They started well, losing only one of their first seven league games and thrashing Manchester City away. But form collapsed, with just two wins between November and mid-April, leading to Frank's sacking in February. Captain Cristian Romero criticized the hierarchy, signaling dressing room unrest. A chaotic search for an interim manager ended with Igor Tudor, who lasted just 44 days, overseeing one draw and a Champions League humiliation at Atlético Madrid. Roberto De Zerbi then became the third manager, guiding the club to a 17th-place finish, avoiding relegation but leaving the club in a sad state.
The Football Itself
The standard of Premier League football has been atrocious at times. Little is aesthetically pleasing, with matches often decided by physicality and set pieces. The schedule overworks elite players as the league prioritizes profit over entertainment. European fixtures offer a glimpse of how the game should be played.
Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest
Ange Postecoglou's appointment at Nottingham Forest never looked likely to succeed, and it didn't. The Australian, keen to prove Tottenham wrong after winning the Europa League, managed just two points in eight games and was dismissed after 40 days—one of the shortest reigns in Premier League history. His squad was not built for his style and couldn't adapt mid-season, leading to dreadful performances and an unexpected relegation battle. Replacing the popular Nuno Espírito Santo, who wasn't sacked for on-pitch reasons, didn't help. This failure will make it hard for Postecoglou to get another Premier League chance.
Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim had mitigation in his first seven months at Old Trafford, arriving to a disjointed squad after replacing Erik ten Hag. He stuck rigidly to his 3-4-3 formation despite limited training time. After a full pre-season and significant investment, things were supposed to improve. But dreadful league form and outbursts cost him his job. The lowest point was a Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby. That night saw a rare start for Kobbie Mainoo, whom Amorim judged inferior to Manuel Ugarte, a decision that may explain his dismissal.
