⚽ Premier League 2025/2026 Discussion Thread ⚽

[RaltcoinsB]

Manchester City management is surely going to be a big burden even more so considering the standards Pep Guardiola has set for the club, Manchester City was already becoming a threat in the EPL before Pep but he turned them to a Competitive monster.
Enzo Maresca was their with Pep in some parts of the glory and even in his little time with Chelsea he brought Glory so I’m sure he’ll fit in well though a big shoe but he’ll find his way.

Next season will see several new faces among the Premier League managers and we expect to see a much tighter competition as several clubs adjust to their team's progress. Manchester City is the most talked about because perhaps after Pep Guardiola's tenure ends, there will be changes to the team. With Enzo Maresca's abilities at Manchester City, this could be a good start or make it even more difficult for Manchester City to compete. Enzo Maresca is a typically good coach, but whether he can bring the same level of success as Pep Guardiola has is still a question for some Manchester City fans.

He could achieve completely surprising results, or he could manage things very well. Right now, I expect Guardiola's system to continue. Because this can be maintained at Manchester City for a few years. It was this systematic approach that brought success to Manchester City in the first place. I hope they play just as well with their new manager.

[Bigjoe33]

I dont feel like Maresca is gonna carry a heavy burden like someone said above im not saying is not a big task but i feel like the last season of Guardiola was not good and that made the things much more easy for the next, i mean youa re not arriving to a team who is the champion of everything, now he needs to fix some things since the City team was not near to what they was in the glory days of pep.

It might be easier for Maresca, but remember that City won two trophies this season, which means Maresca will need to win trophies too. If Maresca can win the Premier League with City, it will be the best start for him, but it won't be easy, because Arsenal and Manchester United are also looking very good right now.

It's never possible for Enzo Maresca to win the English premier League title on his first season at the club never, I won't agree to that even at a gun point, like he's not that reliable for such performance, even Pep Guardiola that claim he conquer England still have to calm down on his first season, yes he might win the league with Manchester City no doubt, but certainly not this coming season, and to me I don't even see him winning it after two seasons, he will be qualifying UEFA Champions League but certainly not winning the league, it's an era coming to an end for Manchester City.

Well, it's your thoughts and everyone has the freedom to do so. Don't forget it's football and anything can happen. Am not saying he will win or must win, of course, it may or may not happen. Nobody saw it coming when the Liverpool coach(sacked) did it season before last. He came to England and won teg EPL in his first season. Was it not what happened? So, if he did it, it means someone else can do it too. Maybe because of his performance at Chelsea, we think it's impossibly, but city is not Chelsea. Anyways, we don't know yet, it's football and anything can happen, thats just my point. Though, somehow, I still feel like city will be facing some challenges trying to build again to what we know them for

[Oluwa-btc]

I dont feel like Maresca is gonna carry a heavy burden like someone said above im not saying is not a big task but i feel like the last season of Guardiola was not good and that made the things much more easy for the next, i mean youa re not arriving to a team who is the champion of everything, now he needs to fix some things since the City team was not near to what they was in the glory days of pep.

The previous season was much worse than this recently ended season for Manchester City and yet this season which just ended was not even close to half of their best under Pep Guardiola.
It is refreshing to see that thry got to finish strong and also with two trophies to send him off. I must say the last 10 years with Pep Guardiola has been magnificent.
Enzo Maresca and the sporting director will try to recreate such historic things together, they just have to bring in the right names into the dressing room.

[BluebloodCXVI]

Guardiola will undoubtedly remain a living legend to Manchester City fans. With the help of Guardiola, Manchester City won the Premier League title consecutively. City also won the Champions League title. Guardiola has won every title possible with City.
I don't have high expectations from Maresca. He did not succeed with Chelsea. Maresca was sacked by Chelsea just a few months ago. I thought Manchester City management would hire someone more experienced.

Maresca wasn’t sacked, he was just relieved of his duties as manager to the Chelsea team but technically he is still an employee with them. For maresca’s contract to be fully terminated, Chelsea would have to pay the remainder of his contract in full at once before they can fire him. Chelsea threatened legal action against Man-city because they were tapping up maresca mid season while he was still under contract at stamford bridge and to me i think it is fair enough because football is governed by rules and any team cannot just go around tapping up players or managers from other teams without any consequences…..Despite Chelsea having owners that are clowns, maresca was/is still under contract with Chelsea and so Man-city was not supposed to go and announce him as their new coach yet because conversations were still happening behind the scene.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Except he clears how they see him from now, if not Enrique Riquelme would be contesting all the time for president of the club but will never beat his contestants because bad impression is usually hard to be wiped off and everybody would always think and use what a person says in the past to believe that they will never change from how there actions would be when the club is giving to them to Govern. Actually for dragging Haaland in all this, it could cost him real Madrid if the club could have had him in mind but however since Florentino Perez was there former president before now, Enrique Riquelme could have won if not all those things that happen.

I didn't like how he handled this with Florentino; it was quite grotesque when they took him on a program and started mocking the club, and he didn't defend it. I think that hurt Madrid fans a lot, and that's why they gave him such a humiliating defeat in the elections. Because, let's face it, 35% to 65% is a total beating; it means he didn't convince anyone. Besides, that wasn't the way to confront him; he has a long way to go.

[Webutxo]

Maresca wasn’t sacked, he was just relieved of his duties as manager to the Chelsea team but technically he is still an employee with them. For maresca’s contract to be fully terminated, Chelsea would have to pay the remainder of his contract in full at once before they can fire him. Chelsea threatened legal action against Man-city because they were tapping up maresca mid season while he was still under contract at stamford bridge and to me i think it is fair enough because football is governed by rules and any team cannot just go around tapping up players or managers from other teams without any consequences…..Despite Chelsea having owners that are clowns, maresca was/is still under contract with Chelsea and so Man-city was not supposed to go and announce him as their new coach yet because conversations were still happening behind the scene.

The difference between you and him is English and he used a word to decribed what happened to Maresca. As long as Maresca is no longer working for Chelsea as to what he was assigned in the beginning of his contract, that means he is sacked but he is still under contract to be paid for the period of agree time but such things don't get fulfill, they do come to terms in close door to compensate for time and efforts and both walk away, that's what I see most clubs do.

Let's leave this sentiments, Maresca started well but this concluded season is very bad, the way that team was falling behind wasn't entertaining and to make it worse when Liam replace him, they went from frying pan to fire. I don't know why Chelsea has not been lucky all this years but I hope Xabi become the long term coach they need so he can give the club all needed. If care is not taken, Chelsea might even be having hard time paying players salary.

[free-bit.co.in]

He could achieve completely surprising results, or he could manage things very well. Right now, I expect Guardiola's system to continue. Because this can be maintained at Manchester City for a few years. It was this systematic approach that brought success to Manchester City in the first place. I hope they play just as well with their new manager.

Are Manchester City in a very good position ? The answer is, NO. This season they have fought for the title. But could not win. The previous season saw Manchester City third in the table. With Guardiola gone, city's performance is likely to be more unstable. For a long time they played Guardiola's match strategy. It will be difficult to adapt to the  new coach's formation and tactics. I wouldn't consider manchester city favorites for the premier league title next season.

[SquallLeonhart]

Everyone talking about how Maresca may have a chance, but nobody gives Xabi a chance.
Yes Chelsea has done badly in recent years, but Xabi is a great manager and he won with Leverkusen above Bayern Munich, that was a huge season and they went nearly unbeaten all season long except that Atalanta finals.

So we should give Xabi a chance, yes his Real Madrid tenure was cut short but we saw how terrible Madrid is after he left too, he wasn't the problem. If Chelsea gives Xabi the greenlight, and let him run the club as he wishes, I bet you that he is going to do very well.

[Velvet78]

I don't know how active Arsenal will be in the transfer market this summer. But I have no doubt their title rivals will be very active during the window!  

Some of them have even changed their managers. Such as Xabi Alonso to Chelsea, Iraola to Liverpool and Enzo Maresca to Manchester City...

At least some of them would go for rebuilding in their squads. Do you think another team than Arsenal and Manchester City will be in the title race next time?

[9ja Amaka]

I dont feel like Maresca is gonna carry a heavy burden like someone said above im not saying is not a big task but i feel like the last season of Guardiola was not good and that made the things much more easy for the next, i mean youa re not arriving to a team who is the champion of everything, now he needs to fix some things since the City team was not near to what they was in the glory days of pep.

Firstly we need to understand that Manchester City are now used to winning trophies, although in the last 2 season they did not win any major trophy, so I think that will put a lot of pressure on Maresca.  I think he is a decent coach,  but stepping into the shoes of a great manager like Pep Guardiola will not be easy for any manager right now. I think he will coke out good at Manchester City,  buy he needs to be giving time and not put much pressure on him.

[Shadiq]

Are Manchester City in a very good position ? The answer is, NO. This season they have fought for the title. But could not win. The previous season saw Manchester City third in the table. With Guardiola gone, city's performance is likely to be more unstable. For a long time they played Guardiola's match strategy. It will be difficult to adapt to the  new coach's formation and tactics. I wouldn't consider manchester city favorites for the premier league title next season.

After playing under Pep Guardiola for a long time, it may take time for City players to adapt to the new manager's tactics. City's performance has not been stable for the past two seasons, even though they fought for the title last season, their performance was not stable. On the contrary, Arsenal failed to maintain dominance in this fight. City's situation is likely to become more unstable after Pep Guardiola's departure, I don't know how their performance will be in the upcoming season, but I don't think they are favorites for the title.

One of the reasons for this is that Arsenal will come back stronger, Liverpool will try to recover themselves, Manchester United is also creating the possibility of returning to the fight, Chelsea is also very worried about themselves. While other teams are trying to create stability in the team by increasing their strength, City is heading towards instability. While they have the potential to do well at the end of the season, City will not be at all reliable under a new manager at the start of the season.

[jakdanyel]

Firstly we need to understand that Manchester City are now used to winning trophies, although in the last 2 season they did not win any major trophy, so I think that will put a lot of pressure on Maresca.  I think he is a decent coach,  but stepping into the shoes of a great manager like Pep Guardiola will not be easy for any manager right now. I think he will coke out good at Manchester City,  buy he needs to be giving time and not put much pressure on him.

I don't think they will at least sack him right away in case of not being able to win the PL in his first year.

It would make 0 sense if they want to get better in time. Enzo Maresca deserves to be given time unlike his being treated unfair at Chelsea before.

Who hasn't been treated badly there though? It was because of Chelsea owners' having no idea about how to manage a football team.

[Stormisover]

Manchester City management is surely going to be a big burden even more so considering the standards Pep Guardiola has set for the club, Manchester City was already becoming a threat in the EPL before Pep but he turned them to a Competitive monster.
Enzo Maresca was their with Pep in some parts of the glory and even in his little time with Chelsea he brought Glory so I’m sure he’ll fit in well though a big shoe but he’ll find his way.

Next season will see several new faces among the Premier League managers and we expect to see a much tighter competition as several clubs adjust to their team's progress. Manchester City is the most talked about because perhaps after Pep Guardiola's tenure ends, there will be changes to the team. With Enzo Maresca's abilities at Manchester City, this could be a good start or make it even more difficult for Manchester City to compete. Enzo Maresca is a typically good coach, but whether he can bring the same level of success as Pep Guardiola has is still a question for some Manchester City fans.

He could achieve completely surprising results, or he could manage things very well. Right now, I expect Guardiola's system to continue. Because this can be maintained at Manchester City for a few years. It was this systematic approach that brought success to Manchester City in the first place. I hope they play just as well with their new manager.

I really wish they continue from where Pep Guardiola stopped, because unless I see some impressive results from Enzo Maresca I won't be convinced that he can continue from there, he's a good coach no doubt, but I really doubt if he can keep it that consistent as Pep Guardiola, like I said keeping a good relationship with players really matters, and if you watch Pep Guardiola you will know that he's really got a very good record of good relationship with his players and that always got them to give in their best for him, I just wish him the best of luck.

[Accardo]

Firstly we need to understand that Manchester City are now used to winning trophies, although in the last 2 season they did not win any major trophy, so I think that will put a lot of pressure on Maresca.  I think he is a decent coach,  but stepping into the shoes of a great manager like Pep Guardiola will not be easy for any manager right now. I think he will coke out good at Manchester City,  buy he needs to be giving time and not put much pressure on him.

It's possible to go another two season without winning any trophy considering the current changes in the club, Pep's absent, a new manager, and about nine players who could be leaving the club, including Silver and Stones, so the club will have to take time to adjust, and understand themselves like they used to when they consistently won the trophy. But one thing is for sure, they'll stay consistent in winning and staying at the top of the table.

[ILuckyGuyI]

I think Arsenal will have a really big chance for the PL title next year also. I guess bookies also don't think so much different than me. The reason is simple. They are the last champions above all.

In addition to that all of their competitors in the race have replaced their coaches lately. They are a dark horse until we watch their performances in the long run. I just hope Chelsea just show some reaction with Xabi Alonso... 

[Amphenomenon]

I think Arsenal will have a really big chance for the PL title next year also. I guess bookies also don't think so much different than me. The reason is simple. They are the last champions above all.

In addition to that all of their competitors in the race have replaced their coaches lately. They are a dark horse until we watch their performances in the long run. I just hope Chelsea just show some reaction with Xabi Alonso... 

Mikel Arteta and his men will be defending the title, I don't know if I have said earlier they might not get a back to back win but giving it much thought this might be the case.

He is like the main manager in a top club fully aware of his squad and how they have to go on about winning especially after breaking the mental constraints they were having although this was also because other teams including their rival City, last season was really inconsistent and so they won it.

[Fakhrulenclix]

I think Arsenal will have a really big chance for the PL title next year also. I guess bookies also don't think so much different than me. The reason is simple. They are the last champions above all.

In addition to that all of their competitors in the race have replaced their coaches lately. They are a dark horse until we watch their performances in the long run. I just hope Chelsea just show some reaction with Xabi Alonso... 

Chelsea with Xabi Alonso is indeed worth considering, but in his first season it will certainly not be easy for Xabi Alonso to adapt to his new team and for Arsenal I also believe the same thing and the reason is not only because they are the defending champions but the progress that has been seen to continue to increase in the last few seasons I think will be the main reason for them to be better in the next season and it is not even impossible that their strength can be stronger in the next season so Arsenal returning to be favored is a natural thing.

[rachael9385]

Are Manchester City in a very good position ? The answer is, NO. This season they have fought for the title. But could not win. The previous season saw Manchester City third in the table. With Guardiola gone, city's performance is likely to be more unstable. For a long time they played Guardiola's match strategy. It will be difficult to adapt to the  new coach's formation and tactics. I wouldn't consider manchester city favorites for the premier league title next season.

I don't think that just because guardiola is no longer managing the team they would automatically become unstable, with.or without pep Manchester city would continue to do well because they have already been built to perform that way. We cannot really tell just yet if it would be difficult for them to adapt to the new coach's formation.

[HustleZ]

I don't think that just because guardiola is no longer managing the team they would automatically become unstable, with.or without pep Manchester city would continue to do well because they have already been built to perform that way. We cannot really tell just yet if it would be difficult for them to adapt to the new coach's formation.

A manager is a reallly important part of a team. Without a good leader and manager the team can not survive no matter how legendary the players are individually. You can rake madrid as an example, they have world class players but the place they lack is of a good leader that creates the flow of the team. So if man city’s replacement is good that proceeds with the team’s flow then yeah they can do good. Team isn’t dependent on pep but on a good manager and it doesn’t matter if it is pep or anyone else as long as they play their part correctly and consistently.

[SOKO-DEKE]

Are Manchester City in a very good position ? The answer is, NO. This season they have fought for the title. But could not win. The previous season saw Manchester City third in the table. With Guardiola gone, city's performance is likely to be more unstable. For a long time they played Guardiola's match strategy. It will be difficult to adapt to the  new coach's formation and tactics. I wouldn't consider manchester city favorites for the premier league title next season.

In my own view, I don't think that Manchester City's form will become unstable because they have quality players and a good, experienced coach, Enzo Maresca. He has worked with Guardiola for a period of time, and I believe he has learned a lot from Guardiola methods and gained valuable experience from him.When it comes to the squad, Manchester City already have many quality players, and I still trust Enzo Maresca to sign better players to strengthen the team even more. Therefore, I don't see many reasons why Manchester City's performance should become unstable.

If Enzo Maresca had just been appointed from another club, then I would start thinking that his tactics and ideas might not be easily adopted by the players. However, since he has been with Guardiola for some time, I don't think he will make drastic changes or introduce tactics that do not suit the Manchester City players.For now, let's wait and see how the season start before judging