With Andre Villas-Boas now confirmed as the new Tottenham boss I thought I would review some of the managerial changes at Premier League clubs this summer.
It’s certainly been a busy one for chairman and board members of top flight clubs. Here are some of the managerial changes and what it will mean to the Premier League next season:
Chelsea
Chelsea underachieved in the Premier League for most of last season under Andre Villas-Boas. When he was replaced by caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo the Blues fortunes improved and they started to get results.
Di Matteo has now been appointed on a permanent basis and expect Chelsea to be far stronger next season. Although they have lost the likes of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou the Blues have already secured attacking midfielders Marko Marin and Eden Hazard, who are both highly-rated.
These are unlikely to be the only new additions to the Chelsea squad this summer, with owner Roman Abramovich determined to get Chelsea back amongst the Premier League elite.
Tottenham
Andre Villas-Boas has now been confirmed as the new boss of Tottenham. This is his second crack at managing in the Premier League after failing miserably at Chelsea. However this time last year he was hot property.
I believe this could be a fantastic appointment or a terrible one. Villas-Boas does have the potential to be a top boss but he needs to start fulfilling it. Former-boss Harry Redknapp had done a superb job with the club and his boots will be hard to fill.
AVB faces a challenge getting Spurs back into those Champions League spots. If he manages it then I think Tottenham can consider the season to have been a successful one.
Liverpool
The appointment of Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool boss was one of the most interesting of the summer. Rodgers is a talented young coach who masterminded Swansea promotion to the top flight and survival.
The young boss not only inspired promotion and survival but he did it with a superb passing style that won many plaudits and people comparing their style to that of Spanish giants Barcelona.
It was this style of football that probably help convince the Liverpool hierarchy to appoint Rodgers. He is one of the games more forward-thinking coaches and seems ideal to start a revival at Anfield. However he must deal with a host of underachieving stars at the Reds.
Last season Liverpool finished in 8th in the Premier League, atrocious by the standards previously set by the club. I don’t see how the Reds can finish any lower than last season and I’m sure Rodgers will be a good long-term appointment
Swansea
Another interesting Premier League appointment this summer was Rodgers replacement at Swansea. The Welsh club decided to appoint Danish legend Michael Laudrup as Rodgers successor. The Dane has enjoyed a steady, if not fantastic managerial career mostly in Spain with the likes of Getafe and Mallorca.
However, he holds the same football philosophy as the Swans of passing, attractive football. He also played at Barcelona where they only play football one way. Although he doesn’t have experience of managing in the English top flight he has excellent knowledge of the game worldwide.
It’s a big job trying to continue the good work that Brendan Rodgers started but in Michael Laudrup I believe they have a man that is capable of continuing the good work.
Aston Villa
Another promoted side Norwich impressed last season under Paul Lambert and his reward was a move to Aston Villa. Maybe reward is the wrong word. Villa have had to sell off a lot of their best players in recent years and last season boss Alex McLeish relied upon youngsters to keep Villa in the top flight.
Villa managed to survive by the skin of their teeth. It seems that Lambert has been promised funds to strengthen his small squad and he is going to need them. Villa have one of the smallest squads in the top flight and need to sign players desperately.
Where Villa finish up next season will depend on whom Lambert can bring in this summer. One thing that I can’t see next season is Villa being so close to the drop zone under Lambert. He is a superb man-manager and will get everything he can out of his players.
Norwich
Lambert’s replacement at Norwich is former-Newcastle boss Chris Hughton. Hughton did a superb job at Newcastle helping the Magpies to promotion and stability in the top flight, before the club harshly replaced him with Alan Pardew.
Hughton then went close to guiding Birmingham to promotion to the top flight last season, despite working on a shoestring budget. He is also a really good man-manager and he is going to need all his skills to keep Norwich at the same level next season.
Steady
Like most Premier League managers these new bosses will want steady starts to next season. Some managers will fail and some will succeed. Whether they fail or succeed, next season promises to be a fascinating one in the English top flight.
Who is this summers best Premier League managerial appointment?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
