New Premier League managers: what to expect

MyFootballFacts > Articles

By Martin Graham | 7th Aug 2024
A quarter of Premier League managers will debut in the English top-flight on the opening weekend. Arne Slot at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Russell Martin at Southampton, Kieran McKenna at Ipswich, and Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton are the new faces to watch. Slot and Hurzeler have international backgrounds, while Martin, McKenna, and Maresca ascended from the Championship last season.

Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Enzo Maresca, after leading Leicester City to the Championship title, now takes the helm at Chelsea, succeeding Mauricio Pochettino. Maresca, formerly an assistant at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, rejuvenated a demoralized Leicester side, convincing some players to stay despite their relegation.

Maresca’s possession-heavy style received mixed reviews but proved effective, with Leicester winning 21 of their first 26 games. Although they faced challenges mid-season, they secured promotion with one game to spare. At Chelsea, Maresca’s 4-3-3 formation transitions into a 3-2-5 in possession, a strategy that carries risks, particularly with a high defensive line.

Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, replaces the iconic Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. The Reds compensated Feyenoord £9.4 million to secure the 45-year-old Dutchman. Slot led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2022-23 and won the Dutch Cup last season. Previously, he managed AZ Alkmaar, contending for the 2019-20 title before the season was cut short due to the pandemic.

Slot’s 4-2-3-1 formation contrasts with Liverpool’s 4-3-3, emphasizing full-backs’ involvement. Midfielder Harvey Elliott describes Slot’s style as an “elegant” Dutch approach, focusing more on possession compared to Klopp’s intense play. Wataru Endo notes that adapting to this style is a “challenge” and a “priority.” Slot, a fan of Pep Guardiola’s teams, aims to bring a similar joy in football to Liverpool.

Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)
Fabian Hurzeler, the youngest permanent Premier League manager at 31, took over Brighton after Roberto de Zerbi. Hurzeler, younger than several Brighton players, led St Pauli to promotion in Germany’s second tier last season. His coaching career began early, with roles in Germany’s Under-18s and Under-20s teams before joining St Pauli.

Hurzeler’s teams are known for their strong ball possession and flexibility. He aims to dominate opponents, a philosophy reflected in his passionate touchline demeanor. Brighton owner Tony Bloom described Hurzeler’s appointment as the “least risky option,” highlighting the young manager’s potential.

Russell Martin (Southampton)
Russell Martin, like Maresca, promoted his team from the Championship with a possession-based style. The former Swansea manager now leads Southampton, having taken them up through the play-offs. Despite some criticism of his approach, Martin secured a club-record 25-game unbeaten run from September to February.

Martin acknowledges that possession alone doesn’t win games but sees it as a way to showcase the team’s best qualities. His style, adapted to his squad’s strengths, brought success at Southampton. Off the field, Martin is known for his environmental advocacy, vegan restaurant ownership, and interest in Buddhism.

Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)
Kieran McKenna has impressively led Ipswich Town from League One to the Premier League in just two and a half years. Under his guidance, Ipswich’s attacking style resulted in high-scoring seasons, with 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship. The 38-year-old Northern Irishman, previously linked with top clubs like Brighton and Manchester United, signed a four-year deal with Ipswich.

McKenna’s meticulous approach has earned praise for his attention to detail and communication. Former players and staff commend his innovative training methods and presentations. His leadership saw Ipswich spend only £4 million last summer to strengthen their squad for the Championship, underscoring his efficient management.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer