Coaching Chaos: Get Ready for the 2026 Manager Merry-Go-Round

The European soccer coaching landscape is bracing for a tumultuous summer in 2026, fueled by the FIFA World Cup's aftermath and widespread managerial instability across top clubs. With the tournament concluding, high-profile national team coaches like Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Thomas Tuchel (England), Didier Deschamps (France), and Mauricio Pochettino (United States) will be out of contract, flooding the market with elite candidates.[1]

At Liverpool, Arne Slot faces mounting pressure despite last season's title. Mohamed Salah's explosive December comments exposed squad tensions, and a recent 2-1 loss to Manchester City has jeopardized their top-five Premier League push. Without Champions League qualification, Slot's job hangs by a thread, compounded by ongoing FA Cup and Champions League campaigns.[1]

Tottenham Hotspur's Thomas Frank, only in the role since June, has alienated fans amid poor results. Supporters demand unity, positioning Pochettino—post-World Cup—as the ideal successor. Most likely outcome: Frank exits, Pochettino returns.[1]

Newcastle United under Eddie Howe has stalled since the Saudi takeover, hampered by transfer woes. With Tuchel's England post opening post-World Cup, a mutual split seems inevitable.[1]

Uncertainties loom at Manchester City (Pep Guardiola), Paris Saint-Germain (Luis Enrique), and others. Real Madrid prioritizes Champions League success over youth hires. Broader trends show chaos: eight Premier League sackings last season, six already this term—including Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. At United, Michael Carrick's interim success (three straight wins) complicates permanent hires, as clubs eye post-World Cup stars like Ancelotti or Glasner.[1][2][3][5]

Elsewhere, Benfica anticipates Jose Mourinho's departure—possibly to Portugal or the Premier League—paving Ruben Amorim's return. This "merry-go-round" underscores soccer's hire-and-fire culture amid media scrutiny and results-driven boards.[1]

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