The 2026-27 Premier League season hasn’t kicked off yet, but it’s already made history: nine clubs will start the campaign under new permanent managers, the highest number ever recorded for an opening weekend in the competition.
The overhaul spans nearly half the league. Liverpool brought in Andoni Iraola after sacking Arne Slot, while Manchester City turned to Enzo Maresca following Pep Guardiola’s departure after a trophy-filled spell. Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso once Liam Rosenior’s troubled tenure ended, Bournemouth hired Marco Rose after Iraola’s contract expired, and Nottingham Forest brought in Oliver Glasner following Vitor Pereira’s exit.
Crystal Palace named Pierre Sage after Glasner’s departure, Fulham appointed Alvaro Arbeloa once Marco Silva’s deal ran out, and Ipswich Town handed the reins to Gary O’Neil after Kieran McKenna stepped down. Newcastle United rounded out the list, expected to confirm Matthias Jaissle as Eddie Howe’s successor.
The previous record of eight new managers was set in 2016-17 — a summer that saw Guardiola arrive at City and Antonio Conte take over at Chelsea, going on to win the title in his debut season.
A new era begins. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, in charge since December 2019, is now the league’s longest-serving manager despite fewer than seven years at the helm. For the first time since 1985-86, the division starts without Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, or Guardiola in a dugout — a group that combined for 26 of the league’s 34 titles and shaped the sport across generations.
Testing the “new manager bounce.” Opening weekend features three fixtures pitting newly appointed managers against each other — Fulham vs Chelsea, Manchester City vs Bournemouth, and Newcastle vs Liverpool — while Iraola’s first six matches in charge of Liverpool will all come against sides led by new permanent bosses.
No guarantees. History suggests fresh appointments don’t always deliver results. Last season alone saw 11 managerial changes across the league, with Forest cycling
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