The Premier League has seen a summer of upheaval, with nine of the 20 clubs opting for a change in the dugout. From Manchester City to newly promoted Ipswich, clubs have placed their faith in new bosses ahead of the 2026/27 season. Mirror Football ranks each appointment based on their chances of achieving their goals.
Fulham and Newcastle Face Tough Tasks
At the bottom of the ranking is Fulham's Alvaro Arbeloa. The former Real Madrid player steps in after Marco Silva's quietly successful tenure, which brought stability and mid-table finishes. Arbeloa has signed fellow Real Madrid cast-offs Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, while key players Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez have departed. With no evidence yet of his tactical acumen or leadership, Fulham may struggle.
Newcastle's Matthias Jaissle is ranked eighth. The 38-year-old German arrives from Al-Ahli amid a major squad overhaul, with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes sold and Eddie Howe resigning. Newcastle finished 12th last season, and with new signings described as 'potential' rather than 'proven', the challenges are significant.
Ipswich, Liverpool, and Forest in the Middle
Gary O'Neil at Ipswich is seventh. He steps in after Kieran McKenna's surprise departure, following a rollercoaster managerial career that has seen highs at Bournemouth and lows at Wolves. His time at Strasbourg was unremarkable, and he will need to quickly adapt at Portman Road.
Liverpool's Andoni Iraola is sixth. Despite his impressive work at Bournemouth, he inherits a squad with issues in defence, midfield, and attack. The Anfield job brings heightened expectations and Champions League demands, and this will not be a quick fix.
Oliver Glasner at Nottingham Forest is fifth. He arrives after Forest burned through four managers last season, but he showed at Crystal Palace that he is a shrewd operator with a clear style. However, his outspokenness on transfers could clash with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Palace, Chelsea, and Bournemouth Look Promising
Crystal Palace's Pierre Sage is fourth. The Frenchman impressed at Lens, leading them to a Coupe de France final and second in Ligue 1. His calm, methodical approach should ensure a steady transition at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea's Xabi Alonso is third. He has been given more control than his predecessors, reflected in his 'manager' title. Despite a failure at Real Madrid, his work at Bayer Leverkusen was impressive. With a stacked squad, he could be the man to tame Chelsea's riches.
Bournemouth's Marco Rose is second. The club's recruitment has been stellar, and Rose's experience at Dortmund and Leipzig fits their model. His reputation for developing young players makes him a solid choice.
Maresca Tops the Ranking at Man City
Enzo Maresca at Manchester City is ranked first. Groomed as Pep Guardiola's successor, he knows the club, players, and expectations. Despite his Chelsea exit, he has everything in place to succeed. He is not Pep, but the drop-off should not be drastic.
