The carousel of chaos keeps spinning, growing wilder as riders desperately seek stability in clubs leagues away from the tumult. Amidst the madness, the current rulers stand unruffled. Following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, Pep Guardiola now holds the title of the Premier League’s longest-serving manager, having faced four Manchester United and six Chelsea managers since assuming control of Manchester City in 2016.
Come next season, Guardiola will face new adversaries on the sidelines. Changes are imminent at Chelsea with Mauricio Pochettino exiting, while Manchester United may also see a shift, as Erik ten Hag’s tenure hangs in the balance despite a potential FA Cup triumph.
As Manchester City eyes their 16th major trophy under Guardiola, both United and Chelsea can only watch from afar, yearning for such success and seeking to reclaim their former glory at the pinnacle of English football.
However, achieving this ambition will demand patience. The reality is stark: no other English club can establish dominance as long as Guardiola leads City, relegating United and Chelsea to the bottom of the hierarchy amidst years of upheaval.
At Arsenal, faith in Mikel Arteta positions them next in line, while Liverpool’s perseverance with Jurgen Klopp demonstrates that immediate silverware success should not be the sole measure of a manager’s worth. Liverpool’s foresight extends to outlasting the changes at Chelsea and United, emphasizing the value of continuity.
Chelsea and United have made hasty decisions and embraced unconventional choices, appointing managers with limited top-tier experience to succeed those with illustrious continental trophies.
The spotlight now falls on Kieran McKenna, linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea, with his recent success at Ipswich Town making him a desirable candidate. For McKenna and Enzo Maresca, potential future managers of United and Chelsea, decisions loom large: maintain the status quo or take a gamble as they enter the Premier League spotlight.
Maresca, a disciple of Guardiola like Vincent Kompany, is a sought-after figure after leading Leicester City to the Championship title. His tactical acumen and resemblance to Guardiola in style make him an enticing prospect for top clubs.
In contrast, McKenna’s story is equally enticing. With two consecutive promotions at Ipswich, his ties to Manchester United add a heartwarming touch to his managerial journey. His potential return to United, coupled with his achievements, presents a compelling narrative for the 38-year-old coach.
But could it be argued that this rush is premature? Has Xabi Alonso’s triumph at Bayer Leverkusen clouded our judgment? The rapid tempo at which football evolves has shoved recent setbacks into the abyss of forgotten history.
Consider Frank Lampard, whose move from Derby to Chelsea in 2019 at the age of 41 now appears hasty and misjudged.
Lampard had no urgent need to hurry; he could have climbed the ladder steadily for another decade before revisiting the club he held dear. However, enticed by the allure of past glories achieved at Chelsea as a player, he failed to anticipate that his lack of experience might tarnish his reputation.
Lampard departed, making way for a highly-rated coach who swiftly secured the Champions League for Chelsea. Yet, the impasse that followed between the new owners and Thomas Tuchel exposed a lack of conviction in their own decisions, leaving them indecisive about entrusting the project to the likes of Graham Potter or Pochettino.
And so, the carousel turns, leading us back to square one. Can Chelsea or United find contentment in their managers while Guardiola reigns supreme at City? Moreover, will they exhibit patience with their choices—akin to Arsenal’s stance with Arteta—as they await the end of this era?
The prospects seem bleak. Boards deem only a couple of trophies as satisfactory, and as United and Chelsea lag behind in the Premier League race, it will be at least another year before they resurface in the Champions League spotlight.
Considering this, Maresca and McKenna would be prudent in brushing off the premature offers from uncertain suitors—for now. If they genuinely possess coaching acumen and trust in the adage that talent will prevail, they should understand that hastening the process is futile and risks spoiling their potential.
Instead, they should appreciate the merits of experiencing the Premier League beyond the intense scrutiny of Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford, to discern where their journeys may lead.
Should they excel—such as Leicester or Ipswich by avoiding relegation—their reputations will soar higher, possibly just in time for Guardiola’s departure from the cushy City helm.
Should they falter, well, who knows? Perhaps they’ll find themselves at the helm of Bayern Munich next summer.