Plenty of big clubs in Premier League and La Liga have parted ways with their managers amid rising pressure.
Premier League & La Liga Clubs On Manager Sacking Spree?
In the last few days, three top clubs have sacked their coaches. Each manager had been in charge for 18 months or less. The managers had arrived with a strong backing and were seen as a rising name in coaching.
The cases of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Ruben Amorim at Manchester United and Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid were not similar. But, the pattern was hard to miss. These were not struggling clubs getting rid of their managers after total collapse. These were global giants making sharp calls while still competing at the top.
This news has got everyone in the Premier League and La Liga surprised. But, the timing and the profile of the managers made it stand out. All three were former playmaking midfielders in their 40s. All had coaching experience outside their home countries. They brought a modern style of play that many seem was exactly what top clubs wanted. Yet, the clubs parted ways with them.
Only Results Are Not Enough
On paper, none of the three managers completely failed. Maresca guided Chelsea from sixth to fourth in his first season. He won the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. When he was sacked, the Blues were fifth in the PL.
Amorim was brough in a Man United side sitting 13th in the Premier League in November 2024. By the end of the season, they had slipped to 15th. But, they also reached the Europa League final. When he left, Man Utd were sixth in the league.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso took charge of Real Madrid after they finished second the last year. He led them to the Club World Cup semifinal in July. Seven months later, Real Madrid were still second in LaLiga at the time he left.
These are not numbers that highlight disaster. Expectations always run high at clubs like these. But, results alone do not explain why the calls were made so quickly. What this really shows is that performance on the pitch is only a small part of bigger picture at the very top.
The Real Issue Is Culture and Identity
The main concern here is about culture clash. These clubs began to feel that their managers did not fully align with their DNA or their plans. The top sides started to doubt whether everyone was moving toward the same goal.
At elite level, that alignment matters more than ever. Owners, boards and fans want to see a clear identity. They want to feel that the manager represents what the club stands for. They want clear communication and long-term vision.
Maresca, Amorim and Alonso may have ticked boxes on paper, but these clubs felt something was missing. With that, league position or trophies don’t matter as much. When doubts start to grow about direction, patience disappears very quickly.
This is the modern reality of top-level football. The higher the revenue, the louder the pressure to protect the brand of the club.
Replacements Highlight A Different Story
The choices made after these dismissals tell their own story. Manchester United brought back Michael Carrick, a club legend with just three top-flight games of managerial experience. The move was heavily depended on identity and familiarity. The club sees emotional connection rather than a long coaching resume.
Real Madrid promoted Alvaro Arbeloa from the B-team. He had only six months of coaching and 19 league games under his belt. At this point, experience was not the key factor. It was about the trust in the club’s internal culture. Meanwhile, Chelsea followed a similar path by appointing Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg. Rosenior had done well there. He narrowly missed out on a Champions League place on the final day of the Ligue 1 season. What stood out even more was that Strasbourg belong to the same ownership group as Chelsea.
These moves highlight a trend. Clubs are not always chasing the most proven coach, they are chasing alignment.
The Manager’s Job Has Changed
At the highest level, it is no longer enough for a manager to hit the minimum targets. Winning games is vital, but so does fitting into a bigger system. The head coach must reflect the club’s image. He needs to make the owners and fans feel confident about the future.
This is why coaches with solid results can still lose their jobs. If the style, tone or long-term vision does not match what the club wants to project, doubts grow quickly. Managers are now judged as public figures and brand ambassadors. Tactics alone are not enough to save their jobs. Now, Communication, trust and shared direction are seen as the main priority.
For Maresca, Amorim and Alonso, the issue was not a lack of ability. It was a feeling that the relationship between club and coach was not strong enough.
What This Means Going Forward?
At elite clubs, success is not just about points, trophies or league position. It is about fitting into a system that goes far beyond the field. For clubs, short-term thinking likely brings fast decisions. But, it also brings risk. That said, changing managers frequently can unsettle squads. In addition, it can harm long-term planning as well.
However, as long as football’s biggest clubs operate as global brands, this trend is unlikely to stop.
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