Premier League Opens 2026/27 Season with Nine New Managers

The 2026/27 Premier League season will commence with a record nine clubs under new managers, the highest number of managerial changes for an opening weekend in the league's history. The Premier League confirmed that these changes include Marco Rose at Bournemouth, Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace, Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham, Gary O’Neil at Ipswich Town, Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, Matthias Jaissle at Newcastle United, and Oliver Glasner at Nottingham Forest.

Notably, Manchester City replaced long-serving manager Pep Guardiola with Maresca, while Liverpool appointed Iraola after Arne Slot's departure. Chelsea's Alonso, a former Real Madrid coach, will face Fulham in his first league match.

The managerial changes extend beyond traditional big clubs, with O’Neil taking over at newly promoted Ipswich Town. The nine new appointments reflect a significant shift in the Premier League landscape as the season begins.