Massive Summer Managerial Changes in Europe
2024 Soccer Head Coach Market: Done Deals and Rumors
Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern and More Change Coaches
Plenty of clubs are getting their business done early this offseason, as they’ve already changed managers. Barcelona’s Xavi saga is over, Mauricio Pochettino is Chelsea boss no longer and Bayern Munich didn’t re-sign Thomas Tuchel. These sides have all gone in other directions this Summer and more are certainly set to follow.
We’ll take a closer look at some of the biggest coaching changes of the offseason so far and the 2024 Soccer Head Coach Market.
1. Hansi Flick to Barcelona
Xavi made a U-turn on his future as the season came to a close and decided to stay on as Barcelona’s coach for another season. However, Joan Laporta apparently didn’t like the fact that Xavi didn’t think Barcelona’s squad, as currently constructed, could compete with Real Madrid. So, Laporta decided to bin Xavi and go for former Germany and Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick.
Flick won the Champions League as Bayern Munich’s coach in 2020. He demands a lot out of his players and it’ll be interesting to see if Barcelona can give Real Madrid a run for their money next season.
2. Arne Slot to Liverpool
In three seasons at Feyenoord, Arne Slot won an Eredivisie title, the KNVB Cup, and reached the Conference League Final in 2022. Now, the Dutchman has huge shoes to fill as he replaces Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Liverpool ran out of steam towards the end of last season but they have all of the key pieces needed to compete for the title. Slot isn’t a massive departure tactically from Klopp and Liverpool’s players won’t need too much time to adjust to his system.
3. Thiago Motta to Juventus
Thiago Motta was one of the biggest names on the 2024 Soccer Head Coach Market before Juventus snapped him up. Motta led Bologna to their highest Serie A finish since 1971. Bologna will play in the Champions League next season under former Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano. Motta’s job is to restore Juventus to their former glory. Since winning nine straight Serie A titles from 2011-12 to 2019-20, they haven’t finished above third.
Motta’s first move looks like it’ll be a swap deal involving Samuel Iling Junior and Weston McKennie for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
4. Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich
This was the first truly shocking coaching change of the offseason. Vincent Kompany got relegated in the Premier League coaching Burnley and that earned him the job at Bayern Munich. Bayern likes his progressive tactics but Kompany is unproven at the highest level.
Bayer Leverkusen usurping Bayern as Germany’s best team was one of the most surprising soccer betting trends of 2023-24. If Kompany doesn’t deliver Bayern the title next season, he’ll be on the hot seat.
5. Antonio Conte to Napoli
Antonio Conte, one of the most accomplished coaches out there, is back in Italy with a Napoli side that completely underperformed last season. After winning the Serie A title in 2022-23, Napoli came in 10th place and shuffled through three managers.
While Victor Osimhen is likely to leave, Conte will look to build around Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Conte once said he’d consider managing MLS clubs but managing Napoli is a higher-pressure choice.
6. Jose Mourinho to Fenerbahce
Club after club passed on Jose Mourinho, who many think the modern game has passed by. Instead of taking a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia, two-time Champions League winner Mourinho took the Fenerbahce job.
Fenerbahce haven’t won a league title in 10 years and Mourinho’s main task will be to win the Turkish Super Lig. He has a clause in his contract to leave Turkey if the Portugal job opens up. Perhaps we’ll see Mourinho with Portugal once the World Cup schedule comes around in two years’ time.
Other Notable Moves
After leading a fragmented Chelsea squad to sixth place in his first season, Mauricio Pochettino still got fired by Chelsea. He’s one of the biggest names still available on the 2024 Soccer Head Coach Market, along with Roberto De Zerbi, who left Brighton.
Enzo Maresca, who led Leicester City to the EFL Championship title, replaced Pochettino. Elsewhere in the Premier League, Julen Lopetegui took over from David Moyes at West Ham. Meanwhile, Erik Ten Hag is likely staying at United.
Francesco Farioli is the new manager of Ten Hag’s former club, Ajax, while Franck Haise is replacing Farioli at Nice. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Will Still is Lens’ new manager.
In Serie A, Marco Baroni is Lazio’s new coach and Paulo Fonseca should be confirmed as AC Milan’s new boss in the next few days.
