In demand – The managers who could be on the move this summer
With high-profile vacancies at Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Brighton and others, and the possibility of Manchester United joining the list, a crop of up-and-coming managers are widely in demand this summer.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the names in the frame.
Roberto De Zerbi
The best of RDZ. Some incredible memories… 🥹 pic.twitter.com/W92SotGVgM
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 20, 2024
The Italian’s departure created the opening at Brighton and he is the betting favourite for Chelsea – having arrived in England when Graham Potter made the same move.
De Zerbi won 38 of 89 games in charge (43 per cent) while Albion’s 32-game scoring run in 2023 was the fourth-longest in Premier League history. He previously led unfancied Sassuolo to consecutive eighth-placed finishes in Serie A and won a Ukrainian Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won 20 of his 30 games before leaving when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Ruben Amorim
Previously linked with Liverpool and West Ham, the 39-year-old boasts a 70 per cent win ratio with Sporting Lisbon since 2020.
Sporting lured him after he was in charge of Braga for just 13 games, winning 10. He has won two Portuguese titles and three league cups, including the latter once with Braga.
Vincent Kompany
Led Burnley to the Championship title in fine style and emerged with credit despite their relegation from the Premier League – to the extent he is reportedly on the verge of moving to Bayern.
He previously managed Anderlecht in his native Belgium and, excluding a muddled spell as player-manager, has won 44 per cent of games since moving into full-time management.
Kieran McKenna
🏆 A prestigious award following a truly special season.
Kieran McKenna has been named the League Managers Association Manager of the Year. 🙌#LMAAnnualAwards | @LMA_Managers pic.twitter.com/PbhEHO1sZ2
— I(P)SWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) May 21, 2024
Ipswich’s back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League – finishing second in League One with 98 points and then in the same position in the Championship with 96 – have put the 38-year-old in the frame for the Chelsea vacancy.
The former Manchester United Under-18 coach and assistant manager has won 75 of 131 games (57 per cent) in his first senior managerial role and it just remains to be seen where his debut Premier League game will come.
Enzo Maresca
Enzo appreciation post 🙌😁 pic.twitter.com/H2Jx09PGpl
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 21, 2024
Also stepping up to the top flight after leading Leicester to the Championship title, a point ahead of McKenna’s Ipswich, Maresca won 68 per cent of games in his debut season with the Foxes.
A short spell with Parma was less successful but he built a strong reputation as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, the same platform that helped set up Mikel Arteta’s success with Arsenal.
Michel
𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀, 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈 𝐃𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ✨🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/AWZl6RcDVZ
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) May 4, 2024
Another with a City connection as Michel led Girona – part of the City Football Group sharing ownership with the Premier League champions – to a shock LaLiga title challenge and eventual third-placed finish.
Previously took both Rayo Vallecano, the club where he spent the majority of his playing career, and Huesca to promotion but on both occasions was sacked after a difficult part-season in the top flight.
Mauricio Pochettino
The Argentinian is far more established than the other names on this list and is sure to be in demand after leaving Chelsea by mutual agreement.
He won 51 per cent of games in an inconsistent season at Stamford Bridge, leaving on a run of five straight wins, and has previously enjoyed success with Tottenham, Southampton and Paris St Germain – where he won a Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France for his only major managerial trophies.