Nine Premier League clubs will start the new season with new permanent managers as Daily Mail Sport ranks how each boss will perform. The top division in Europe presents a severe test, following a campaign that saw managers fail quickly. Ange Postecoglou lasted just 39 days at Nottingham Forest, while Graham Potter suffered a disastrous spell at West Ham.
Enzo Maresca faces arguably the toughest task of the new appointments as he replaces Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Replacing legendary figures has proven difficult in the past. David Moyes struggled at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson, and Unai Emery failed at Arsenal after Arsene Wenger. Both managers showed their quality before and after those spells, but could not succeed at those specific clubs.
Maresca must follow a manager who won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, and multiple FA and League Cups. However, City failing to win the title last season could help Maresca. He also gained preparation time after City approached him midway through last season, a move that sparked his sudden exit from Chelsea. Maresca also benefits from prior experience working under Guardiola at City. Daily Mail Sport gives Maresca a confidence rating of 7 out of 10.
Liverpool and Bournemouth Managerial Changes
Andoni Iraola moved to Liverpool following the sacking of Arne Slot. The former Bournemouth manager aims to implement high pressing and unpredictable tactics at Anfield. Iraola led Bournemouth to their joint-highest league finish, highest point total, and European qualification in his final season.
Liverpool supporters feel optimistic about Iraola and his attacking style, but fans have limited patience after Slot's swift exit. Iraola needs a strong start to clear defensive concerns raised by shaky pre-season form. He must back up his style with results to avoid rising pressure. His confidence rating stands at 6 out of 10.
Marco Rose replaces Iraola at Bournemouth after being confirmed in April, giving him time to prepare for the Premier League. Rose has experienced a volatile coaching career. He lasted just one season at Borussia Dortmund after failing to advance from the Champions League group stage.
Rose won the German League Cup with RB Leipzig, but the club dismissed him two seasons later following poor Bundesliga and Champions League results. His track record of developing young players aligns with the recruitment approach at Bournemouth. Daily Mail Sport gives Rose a confidence rating of 4 out of 10.
Chelsea and Fulham High Profile Appointments
Xabi Alonso takes over at Chelsea after earning acclaim at Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso led the German side to their first Bundesliga title in 2024 as part of a domestic double. Leverkusen completed an entire undefeated league campaign and established a European record of 51 games without defeat, establishing Alonso as a top coaching prospect.
His resume suffered at Real Madrid last season, where he was fired after a poor start and conflict with key players. Alonso inherits organised chaos at Chelsea, where he commands a squad of 46 senior players. If he balances the dressing room, Chelsea could compete for a domestic trophy or challenge for the league title. Alonso receives a confidence rating of 6 out of 10.
Alvaro Arbeloa arrived at Fulham after Marco Silva ended a five-year stint at Craven Cottage. The former Spain international has limited head coaching experience, consisting of six months at Real Madrid without trophies or dressing room control. His Madrid connections helped him sign Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios for Fulham.
Doubts remain over Arbeloa's experience when measured against Silva's successful record. Arbeloa must produce immediate results to avoid becoming an early candidate in the managerial sack race. Daily Mail Sport rates his confidence at 3 out of 10.
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace Squad Challenges
Matthias Jaissle takes charge at Newcastle United following success at Red Bull Salzburg, where he won a domestic double and reached the Champions League knockout rounds. The 38-year-old then spent three years at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, winning consecutive AFC Champions League titles. Jaissle remains unproven in major European leagues.
Newcastle enters the season weakened by the departures of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Anthony Gordon. Jaissle will rely on young players Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure to launch his tenure. Without major new signings, Jaissle faces a steep challenge. His confidence rating is 5 out of 10.
Pierre Sage joined Crystal Palace after a single season managing Lens in Ligue 1. Sage guided Lens to victory in the French Cup and a second-place league finish that qualified the team for the Champions League. While his managerial sample size remains small, Palace supporters are excited by his record.
Sage brings an unfazed demeanour and assertive coaching style to Selhurst Park. Daily Mail Sport assigns Sage a confidence rating of 6 out of 10.
Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town Survival Hopes
Oliver Glasner left Crystal Palace to take over at Nottingham Forest after being convinced by owner Evangelos Marinakis's plans. The Austrian coach brings tactical expertise and a counter-attacking style to the City Ground. Securing Glasner represents a major achievement for Forest, as he held options across Europe.
Glasner could raise Forest beyond the levels reached under Nuno Espirito Santo, though working under Marinakis has proven difficult for previous managers. Glasner holds the highest rating among the new managers, receiving a confidence rating of 8 out of 10.
Gary O'Neil steps in at Ipswich Town after Kieran McKenna unexpectedly resigned following promotion to the top division. O'Neil's last Premier League job ended in December 2024, when Wolves dismissed him with the team four points inside the relegation zone amid discipline issues.
O'Neil previously kept Bournemouth in the top flight during the 2022-23 season behind a six-game unbeaten streak. Guiding Ipswich to safety would place O'Neil among the contenders for manager of the season. Daily Mail Sport gives O'Neil a confidence rating of 3 out of 10.
