The managerial merry-go-round in the Premier League is in full swing, with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola now the longest-serving manager in the league following Jurgen Klopp’s exit from Liverpool. Guardiola has seen four Manchester United and six Chelsea bosses come and go since taking charge of City in 2016. Meanwhile, Chelsea and United are searching for new managers, with Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Chelsea and Erik ten Hag’s expected exit from United.
Arsenal’s faith in Mikel Arteta has paid off, and Liverpool is taking a patient approach with new manager Arne Slot. However, Chelsea and United’s desire for longevity has led to hasty decisions and unconventional thinking, with managers lacking top-flight experience being considered for the top jobs.
Kieran McKenna, the 38-year-old Ipswich Town boss, and Enzo Maresca, Leicester City’s 44-year-old manager, are among the contenders for the Chelsea and United jobs. Both have impressive credentials, but is it too soon for them to take the leap? The fast pace of football has a way of forgetting recent failures, and the pressure to succeed is immense.
Frank Lampard’s ill-judged move from Derby to Chelsea in 2019 serves as a cautionary tale. Lampard was blinded by the promise of riches and failed to realize his inexperience would harm his reputation. Chelsea and United would do well to learn from this and not rush into appointments. Instead, they should focus on finding the right manager and giving them time to build a legacy.
Guardiola’s reign at City is a testament to the value of stability and patience. Maresca and McKenna would be wise to ignore the advances of Chelsea and United for now and focus on building their reputation in the Premier League away from the pressure-cooker of Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. If they succeed, their stock will rise, and they will be in a better position to take on the top jobs when Guardiola eventually vacates his seat at City.