Summer Managergeddon: Howe's England Calling, Slot's Anfield Exit, and Guardiola's Great Escape

The Premier League's summer window promises upheaval of historic proportions. With multiple bosses out of contract and others facing the euphemistic "mutual agreement" separation, the managerial merry-go-round is spinning faster than ever. It's a peculiar contrast to the transfer market, where underperforming players earning £200,000-a-week can languish on the bench without consequence, whilst managers lose their jobs and see their reputations shredded.

Eddie Howe's Next Move

If anyone's taking a sabbatical after this season, Pep Guardiola tops the list. But Eddie Howe runs a close second. The Newcastle chief has long been linked with Manchester United and the England post, yet it appears the Red Devils will pursue grander names—Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique and England's Thomas Tuchel chief among them.

Howe has done exceptional work on Tyneside and merits consideration for the biggest roles, though perhaps not quite the Manchester United scale. England, however, represents a different proposition entirely. He stands as England's finest domestic managerial prospect and would jump at the opportunity immediately.

Tuchel recently extended his contract through Euro 2028, a shrewd move that quelled speculation around the World Cup. Should he remain post-2026, Howe will likely rest until the England vacancy opens. Should Tuchel depart after the tournament, Howe steps straight in—Newcastle cannot be his home come 2026-27.

For Newcastle's succession, a foreign appointment seems probable. Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness is a possibility, though Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth—whose contract expires this summer—appears the likelier target.

Arne Slot's Liverpool Reckoning

Liverpool's hierarchy insist they're not replacing Arne Slot. Yet that's a curious stance. Sacking a manager who delivered the Premier League title just twelve months ago would sting, certainly. But this season has been dire, his tactical choices bewildering, and future planning trumps past glories.

Slot earned his place in Reds folklore for that magnificent title-winning campaign alongside Mohamed Salah. The question remains: is Liverpool progressing under his stewardship? The evidence suggests otherwise.

His Feyenoord pedigree once attracted Leeds and Spurs. The Anfield move represented his elite-level breakthrough. Still, we're sticking our necks out here: he'll depart. Xabi Alonso stands as the obvious replacement, and if Liverpool dither, they risk losing him permanently to rival suitors.

Slot's exit could lead anywhere—Marseille, Real Madrid, or the Dutch national team. The options are genuinely unpredictable.

Michael Carrick's Crossroads

Will United repeat the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer interim trap with Michael Carrick? His impressive interim spell echoes those early Solskjaer days, yet Solskjaer's eventual collapse offers a cautionary tale.

Interim appointments insulate managers from the difficult decisions—contract extensions, player sales, recruitment. Go permanent, and everything changes. Relationships shift. The honeymoon evaporates.

That said, United's transformation since Ruben Amorim's January sacking makes a compelling case for Carrick's retention. We doubt it happens, though. United crave a proven winner, someone to resurrect former glories. Enrique and Tuchel fit that bill—both Champions League and domestic title winners. Carrick carries the Middlesbrough failure baggage.

His Old Trafford renaissance has certainly caught Premier League boardrooms' attention. Even if he doesn't land the United job, opportunities abound this summer. Tottenham's appointment of Roberto De Zerbi eliminates one path, but mid-table prospects like Fulham, Bournemouth, or Crystal Palace beckon. Newcastle and Aston Villa might gamble on him too, particularly if Unai Emery departs Villa.

Carrick at Fulham feels rather fitting, truth be told.

Liam Rosenior's Reckoning

Sympathy for Liam Rosenior evaporates the moment he opens his mouth. BlueCo essentially forced his promotion from Strasbourg to Chelsea—both under their ownership. It was premature; he likely knew it but couldn't refuse the bosses.

A promising start—reminiscent of Graham Potter in 2022—gave way to catastrophe. Astonishingly, Rosenior signed a six-and-a-half-year deal in January. His severance will be astronomical. Whatever he does next with that windfall remains speculation, though supplement endorsement deals might suddenly proliferate.

Chelsea's philosophy centres on youth development and managerial experimentation. That eliminates most candidates, barring perhaps Carrick or Iraola—neither likely targets. Julian Nagelsmann would suit them, potentially lured from the German national team post-World Cup with Chelsea's financial muscle. Realistically, though, expect Cesc Fabregas.

Whatever BlueCo decide, assume it's the wrong choice.

Oliver Glasner's Palace Exit

Oliver Glasner has already confirmed his Crystal Palace departure when his contract expires. His standing has diminished since last year, though a Europa Conference League trophy before he leaves would substantially elevate his prospects.

Sir Gareth Southgate replaces him at Selhurst Park. Glasner's next destination remains murky. His Palace achievement—two trophies in two years at a club with none in 119 years—deserves recognition, particularly given he's managed player departures without adequate investment.

Bayern Munich shouldn't be discounted if Vincent Kompany moves on, though Glasner probably lacks Manchester United or Liverpool credentials. A foreign move seems most probable, though Aston Villa—should they win the Europa League—could appeal if Emery departs.

Andoni Iraola's Newcastle Destiny

Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola exits as a free agent this summer with abundant options. Newcastle represents his most likely destination.

Bournemouth will probably appoint someone unexpected or a slightly more established name than Iraola was in 2023, likely from Spain again. Girona's Michel—formerly of Rayo Vallecano—fits that profile perfectly.

Marco Silva's Fulham Future

Fulham must move quickly to retain Marco Silva beyond this summer. Current signs suggest they won't succeed. After five years at Craven Cottage, Silva becomes a free agent.

A Premier League step up seems unlikely. Lateral moves to Palace or Bournemouth are possible, whilst Villa or Newcastle could theoretically circle, though neither appears likely to move. A foreign appointment or the Portuguese national team post—should Roberto Martinez falter this summer—represents his natural next step.

Pep Guardiola's Sabbatical

Guardiola simply needs a break. And that's nothing to do with Arsenal bias.

The Manchester City boss has one year remaining after this season, yet whispers persist. Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola before performing respectably at Chelsea, leads the succession conversation. Vincent Kompany is also an option, potentially opening Bayern Munich's door for candidates like Slot, Alonso, or Glasner.

A Guardiola sabbatical feels overdue. His increasingly amusing disdain for the world beyond football grows more pronounced weekly. Surely he walks away this summer?

City's finish defies prediction. A Premier League title or cup double could send him into the sunset on a high, or that winning sensation might convince him to stay. Guardiola's experienced enough to appreciate that Champions League glory from 2009 carries no greater joy than last month's Carabao Cup triumph.

Regarding Guardiola's future, nothing would surprise us.

Unai Emery's Madrid Gamble

Perhaps this list's boldest inclusion, Unai Emery needn't leave Aston Villa for drama—yet it's genuinely plausible.

Emery has performed miracles at Villa. Despite previous stints at PSG and Arsenal, third time might prove the charm. His stock has arguably never peaked higher, and Europa League success would make him irresistible.

Real Madrid represents the ultimate gamble—a colossal risk for any manager, let alone one unproven at a bigger club. Yet Madrid's limited options favour Emery's candidacy. Should Villa fail to retain Tuchel's services, Glasner would likely succeed the Spaniard.