English Premier League
The Premier League is expected to witness a tactical revolution with nine new coaches bringing a different dimension to their team’s style of play and also to the division.
The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off in a few weeks, with nine new managers, which is the highest in the division’s history for the opening weekend.
Marco Rose (Bournemouth) replaces Andoni Iraola. The German coach resumes with a rich CV after stints at Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
He is known for his high-intensity, aggressive, front-foot pressing and rapid transitions, prefering a 4–4–2 formation while also trying out 4–3–3 and 4–2–3–1 formations at his former clubs.
Last season under Iraola, Bournemouth used a 4–2–3–1 formation, which dynamically shifts into a aggressive 4-2-4 or 4-1-4-1 shape depending on the phase of play and movement of the central midfielders.
The club supporters will be looking forward to another style of play from Rose while hoping that the team will continue its rise in the Premier League.
Read Also: Herve Renard returns as Ivory Coast coach
Xabi Alonso (Chelsea) is known for quick counter-pressing in central areas off the ball.
On the ball, his teams use lots of passing from deep areas in the build-up phase, with rehearsed, structured patterns of play dictated by a deep-lying playmaker, and also make effective use of attacking wing-backs to provide width.
He initially favoured the 4–3–3 or 4–2–3–1 formations at Real Sociedad B, but at Bayer Leverkusen, he used 3–4–3 and 3–4–2–1 formations.
Alonso is expected to freshen up Chelsea’s tactics with his positional style of play, which is closer to Enzo Maresca’s structure.
Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace) prefers a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation, though he has also used a 4-3-3 earlier in his career at Lyon. His setup relies heavily on flexible structures during transitions.
Last season, Oliver Glasner opted for a rigid, highly drilled 3-4-2-1 formation (transforming into a 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 out of possession), emphasizing vertical progression, disciplined mid-blocks, and explosive transitions.
Crystal Palace players will be hoping to experience Sage’s tactical prowess as he hopes to impress at Selhurst Park.
Alvaro Arbeloa (Fulham) favours a 4-3-3 that could shift into a 4-2-3-1 in possession.
The emphasis is on narrow possession with a bias toward vertical progression when possible, controlled pressing triggers rather than indiscriminate pressure, and full-backs contributing aggressively from wide positions.
Last season under Marco Silva, Fulham primarily used a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on tactical balance, quick one-touch combinations, and smart numerical overloads in the middle of the pitch.
Arbeloa will be hoping that the player will warm up to his new tactics after they spent five years under Silva playing the same style.
Read Also: Figo demands Infantino’s resignation over moves to sell World Cup stakes
Gary O’Neil (Ipswich Town) sets his teams up in tight, disciplined low or medium blocks (often shifting between 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 structures out of possession) to restrict central space and deny opponents clean passing lanes.
His teams surrenders possession and absorb heavy pressure against elite sides while still maintaining confidence to control the ball against lower-block opponents.
Former coach, Kieran Mckenna deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation that transformed into a fluid 3-4-1-2 or 2-4 shape in possession. He combines positional play with vertical, high-tempo attacks designed to create “artificial transitions” and exploit space.
Enzo Maresca (Man City) uses a possession-heavy, structured style of play. It relies on patient build-up from the back, shifting shapes in possession, and intense high pressing to win the ball back quickly.
He demands immediate, aggressive pressing from the front line to force errors and stop opponent counter-attacks.
Last season, Pep Guardiola deployed a more vertical, transitional style with narrow, fluid front lines and a heavy reliance on fast breaks to bypass aggressive man-to-marking defenses.
Maresca’s style relies more on wingers staying wide and running at defenders to isolate them which allows his wingers to have the space to take on defenders.
Andoni Iraola (Liverpool) plays high-intensity, vertical, and aggressive football his philosophy prioritizes high pressing, rapid turnovers, and direct attacks rather than slow, methodical possession.
Out of possession, Iraola set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation, with the lines very close together, trying not to drop the defensive block too low.
Iraola is the closest to Jürgen Klopp when his front foot pressing style, which suits the Liverpool players compared to the positional style that was adopted by Ante Slot last season, which drew the ire of Mohammed Salah.
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool suffered from disjointed, passive high pressing and large gaps between the defensive line and midfield, leaving the team heavily exposed during turnovers and set-pieces.
Liverpool faithfuls will be hoping that the team can return back to the height that led them to the league title in 2025.
Read Also: Why UEFA is threatening boycott of FIFA competitions
Matthias Jaissle (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United are expected to appoint Matthias Jaissle as their new coach following the resignation of Eddie Howe in July.
The 38-year-old German is currently in charge of Al-Ahli, in the next few days he is expected to be announced as the new Newcastle United coach.
Jaissle plays a high-energy, modern pressing style rooted in the Red Bull football philosophy, emphasizing intense counter-pressing, vertical ball progression, and tactical flexibility. Preferred formation: 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3
Last season, Eddie Howe relied on a fluid 4-3-3 base formation, prioritizing high-intensity pressing, lopsided build-up structures, and tactical flexibility between aggressive high-blocks and compact mid-blocks. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
While the two coaches style appears closely related, Jaissle uses vertical ball possession to bypass the opponents’ man to man pressing.
Oliver Glasner (Nottingham Forest) tactical blueprint heavily relies on a flexible 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 shape, prioritizing player behavior, box penetration, and rigid defensive organization over rigid positional slots.
The team drops into a disciplined 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 mid-block, narrowing central spaces, forcing opponents wide, and maintaining numerical safety in the last defensive line.
Last season, Vitor Pereira changed the team’s style from a passive low-block side into an aggressive, vertical, and structurally flexible team.
He also paired Igor Jesus and Chris Wood in attack but Glasner is known for favouring a lone striker that will be supported by a number 10, who is tasked with creating chances and keeping the team’s attacking shape.
With nine new coaches on the touchline in the Premier League next season, football fans can be assured of different tactics which will also lead to the development of players and in turn, the technical aspect of the league.
All the nine coaches will be in action when the Premier League resumes on August 21st.
The last time the Premier League had a huge turnover of managers was in the 2016-2017 campaign when eight clubs started the season with new coaches.
In the 1995-96 season, seven clubs changed managers, while in the 2012-13 season six coaches resumed at the beginning of the campaign.
Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, he was appointed in December 2019.
Nine New Managers: What’ll Premier League look like this season?
The Premier League is expected to witness a tactical revolution with nine new coaches bringing a different dimension to their team’s style of play and also to the division.
The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off in a few weeks, with nine new managers, which is the highest in the division’s history for the opening weekend.
Marco Rose (Bournemouth) replaces Andoni Iraola. The German coach resumes with a rich CV after stints at Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
He is known for his high-intensity, aggressive, front-foot pressing and rapid transitions, prefering a 4–4–2 formation while also trying out 4–3–3 and 4–2–3–1 formations at his former clubs.
Last season under Iraola, Bournemouth used a 4–2–3–1 formation, which dynamically shifts into a aggressive 4-2-4 or 4-1-4-1 shape depending on the phase of play and movement of the central midfielders.
The club supporters will be looking forward to another style of play from Rose while hoping that the team will continue its rise in the Premier League.
Read Also: Herve Renard returns as Ivory Coast coach
Xabi Alonso (Chelsea) is known for quick counter-pressing in central areas off the ball.
On the ball, his teams use lots of passing from deep areas in the build-up phase, with rehearsed, structured patterns of play dictated by a deep-lying playmaker, and also make effective use of attacking wing-backs to provide width.
He initially favoured the 4–3–3 or 4–2–3–1 formations at Real Sociedad B, but at Bayer Leverkusen, he used 3–4–3 and 3–4–2–1 formations.
Alonso is expected to freshen up Chelsea’s tactics with his positional style of play, which is closer to Enzo Maresca’s structure.
Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace) prefers a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation, though he has also used a 4-3-3 earlier in his career at Lyon. His setup relies heavily on flexible structures during transitions.
Last season, Oliver Glasner opted for a rigid, highly drilled 3-4-2-1 formation (transforming into a 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 out of possession), emphasizing vertical progression, disciplined mid-blocks, and explosive transitions.
Crystal Palace players will be hoping to experience Sage’s tactical prowess as he hopes to impress at Selhurst Park.
Alvaro Arbeloa (Fulham) favours a 4-3-3 that could shift into a 4-2-3-1 in possession.
The emphasis is on narrow possession with a bias toward vertical progression when possible, controlled pressing triggers rather than indiscriminate pressure, and full-backs contributing aggressively from wide positions.
Last season under Marco Silva, Fulham primarily used a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on tactical balance, quick one-touch combinations, and smart numerical overloads in the middle of the pitch.
Arbeloa will be hoping that the player will warm up to his new tactics after they spent five years under Silva playing the same style.
Read Also: Figo demands Infantino’s resignation over moves to sell World Cup stakes
Gary O’Neil (Ipswich Town) sets his teams up in tight, disciplined low or medium blocks (often shifting between 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 structures out of possession) to restrict central space and deny opponents clean passing lanes.
His teams surrenders possession and absorb heavy pressure against elite sides while still maintaining confidence to control the ball against lower-block opponents.
Former coach, Kieran Mckenna deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation that transformed into a fluid 3-4-1-2 or 2-4 shape in possession. He combines positional play with vertical, high-tempo attacks designed to create “artificial transitions” and exploit space.
Enzo Maresca (Man City) uses a possession-heavy, structured style of play. It relies on patient build-up from the back, shifting shapes in possession, and intense high pressing to win the ball back quickly.
He demands immediate, aggressive pressing from the front line to force errors and stop opponent counter-attacks.
Last season, Pep Guardiola deployed a more vertical, transitional style with narrow, fluid front lines and a heavy reliance on fast breaks to bypass aggressive man-to-marking defenses.
Maresca’s style relies more on wingers staying wide and running at defenders to isolate them which allows his wingers to have the space to take on defenders.
Andoni Iraola (Liverpool) plays high-intensity, vertical, and aggressive football his philosophy prioritizes high pressing, rapid turnovers, and direct attacks rather than slow, methodical possession.
Out of possession, Iraola set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation, with the lines very close together, trying not to drop the defensive block too low.
Iraola is the closest to Jürgen Klopp when his front foot pressing style, which suits the Liverpool players compared to the positional style that was adopted by Ante Slot last season, which drew the ire of Mohammed Salah.
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool suffered from disjointed, passive high pressing and large gaps between the defensive line and midfield, leaving the team heavily exposed during turnovers and set-pieces.
Liverpool faithfuls will be hoping that the team can return back to the height that led them to the league title in 2025.
Read Also: Why UEFA is threatening boycott of FIFA competitions
Matthias Jaissle (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United are expected to appoint Matthias Jaissle as their new coach following the resignation of Eddie Howe in July.
The 38-year-old German is currently in charge of Al-Ahli, in the next few days he is expected to be announced as the new Newcastle United coach.
Jaissle plays a high-energy, modern pressing style rooted in the Red Bull football philosophy, emphasizing intense counter-pressing, vertical ball progression, and tactical flexibility. Preferred formation: 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3
Last season, Eddie Howe relied on a fluid 4-3-3 base formation, prioritizing high-intensity pressing, lopsided build-up structures, and tactical flexibility between aggressive high-blocks and compact mid-blocks. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
While the two coaches style appears closely related, Jaissle uses vertical ball possession to bypass the opponents’ man to man pressing.
Oliver Glasner (Nottingham Forest) tactical blueprint heavily relies on a flexible 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 shape, prioritizing player behavior, box penetration, and rigid defensive organization over rigid positional slots.
The team drops into a disciplined 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 mid-block, narrowing central spaces, forcing opponents wide, and maintaining numerical safety in the last defensive line.
Last season, Vitor Pereira changed the team’s style from a passive low-block side into an aggressive, vertical, and structurally flexible team.
He also paired Igor Jesus and Chris Wood in attack but Glasner is known for favouring a lone striker that will be supported by a number 10, who is tasked with creating chances and keeping the team’s attacking shape.
With nine new coaches on the touchline in the Premier League next season, football fans can be assured of different tactics which will also lead to the development of players and in turn, the technical aspect of the league.
All the nine coaches will be in action when the Premier League resumes on August 21st.
The last time the Premier League had a huge turnover of managers was in the 2016-2017 campaign when eight clubs started the season with new coaches.
In the 1995-96 season, seven clubs changed managers, while in the 2012-13 season six coaches resumed at the beginning of the campaign.
Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, he was appointed in December 2019.
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