EPL: A League Congregating Outstanding Managers

by fotbulnary

The English Premier League is expected to take on a new dimension next season with the calibre of managers that would be joining some of the league’s biggest clubs. On Monday, it was announced that former Juventus manager and current Italian national team coach, Antonio Conte would join Chelsea from next season. The Italian signed a three year contract. He joins another world class manager Pep Guardiola who would be Manchester City’s manager next season. And there have been reports that Jose Mourinho could become Manchester United manager next season.

The question that the congregation of these managers raises is what it will bring terms of growth and improvement of the English Premier League. 
Between them, Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola have six league titles in a combined seven seasons. Bayern Munich manager is expected to add to that number under Pep Guardiola this season; it will increase that ratio to seven league titles in eight seasons. Antonio Conte only left as manager of Juventus in 2014 to become national team coach of the Azurri. Besides, their respective successes in winning domestic leagues, Guardiola has two champions league titles to his resume.

With England’s dwindling fortunes in Europe’s premier club competition, the Champions League [It is now one quarter final appearance in three seasons for the English Premier League clubs]. These managers will at least aid in improving the league's standing in Europe. Pep Guardiola for instance has a record of six consecutive semifinal appearances in the champions league as a manager of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He could make that seven if Bayern Munich overcomes Benfica in this season’s champion league quarter finals.

Though, Antonio Conte had less of an impact in Europe as Juventus manager, the Old Lady still made one quarter final appearance under him in three seasons. With the Seria A breathing down England’s neck in the UEFA co-efficient rating which could make England lose one of its four champion league spot, an improvement in Europe under these incoming managers could turn the tide around.

Besides, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte that have been confirmed as managers of Manchester City and Chelsea respectively for next season, if Jose Mourinho joins Manchester United, It would further raise the bar of competition in the league. The Portuguese boast an outstanding record of eight league titles and two champion league titles as a manager. Despite the disappointing end to his second spell as Chelsea’s manager, he is still regarded as one of the best managers in European football.

The incoming managers would be coming with a huge reputation of their own, yet already in the league, there are managers with huge pedigree.

The likes of Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur has carved a reputation for himself with a young team that is currently second in the league table. The Argentine has managed to build a team in his own image, with his trademark pressing game now fully part of the Lilywhites playing style.  These were also hallmark of his time when he was manager at Espanyol and Southampton respectively.

There is also Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Since his arrival at Anfield in October his gegenpressing style has been on display in Liverpool’s performances. Even though the reds have been inconsistent since he arrived, there is no doubt that the experience he gathered in winning two bundesliga titles as Borussia Dortmund manager could come in handy latter on. He would have his first full transfer window this summer, and an opportunity to build his team.

Then, there is the old war horse and the longest serving manager in the league, Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman will enter his 21st season as Arsenal manager next season. Despite the highs and low of his reign, it is a testament to Arsene Wenger’s staying power that even with the rate of managerial changes in recent times; he has remained Arsenal’s manager.

From next season these will be managers of top clubs in England and their records.

Arsenal-----------------------------------------------Arsene Wenger (three league titles)

Tottenham Hotspur--------------------------------Mauricio Pochettino

Manchester City-----------------------------------Pep Guardiola (Five league titles)

Chelsea-----------------------------------------------Antonio Conte (three league titles)

Liverpool---------------------------------------------Jürgen Klopp (Two league titles)

Manchester United-------------------------------- (Unclear whether Van Gaal would remain as manager)

With the gathering of managers of this calibre, the English Premier League next season should be exciting especially with the spot light that would be on the new managers. With the new television deal coming into effect from next season with the over 8 billion pounds available to clubs over three seasons, this should be reflected in the transfer market.