The 2025-26 Premier League season has drawn to a close, with top-tier footballers across England now planning their summer — whether that means a well-earned holiday or, for some, a chance to shine at the World Cup. While players get a break, the same cannot be said for managers, who are already preparing for the transfer market and the challenges of the next campaign.
This season saw significant managerial turnover, with 11 dismissals throughout the campaign. Nottingham Forest cycled through four coaches alone, while both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were forced into making two mid-season changes each.
The upcoming summer promises more change, as Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner have confirmed their departures, while Marco Silva’s contract at Fulham is set to expire.
Before looking forward, the GOAL editorial team has taken one last look back, ranking every coach — permanent or interim — who managed at least five Premier League games in 2025-26 to determine our Manager of the Year.
28. Igor Tudor (Tottenham Hotspur)
Known in Italy for steering struggling clubs to safety, Igor Tudor’s appointment at Tottenham in February seemed questionable, and his brief stint did little to change that perception. A 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in his first game set the tone for a disastrous run, earning just one point from five matches. Heavy home losses to Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest deepened fan frustration. His tenure ended after just 44 days — a relief for many supporters.
27. Ange Postecoglou (Nottingham Forest)
Despite winning the Europa League with Spurs, Ange Postecoglou’s spell at Nottingham Forest was short-lived and forgettable. Appointed in September, he managed just one point from five matches before being sacked minutes after a home defeat to Chelsea in October. Where the Australian goes next remains to be seen.
26. Graham Potter (West Ham United)
Hopes were high that Graham Potter could revive his fortunes at West Ham after a difficult Chelsea spell, but results quickly turned disastrous. Four losses in the first five games, including heavy defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham, and newly-promoted Sunderland, sealed his fate by September. He has since moved on and is set to lead Sweden at the World Cup.
25. Liam Rosenior (Chelsea)
After impressing at Strasbourg, Liam Rosenior’s mid-season promotion to Chelsea’s managerial role in January surprised many. A bright start with four straight wins quickly faded, as Chelsea managed just one win from their next nine league games. Five consecutive scoreless defeats led to his dismissal in April — marking the club’s worst run in 114 years.
24. Thomas Frank (Tottenham Hotspur)
Thomas Frank’s arrival at Spurs sparked optimism following a promising start, including a Super Cup showing against Paris Saint-Germain and a win over Manchester City. However, the momentum evaporated as only two wins came from 17 league games, leaving Tottenham 16th when he was sacked in February. He became an unlikely hero for Arsenal fans but a major disappointment for Spurs supporters.
23. Scott Parker (Burnley)
Scott Parker’s reputation as a Championship promotion specialist but Premier League struggler remained intact after a poor season with Burnley. With just one win in their final 29 games, Burnley’s relegation was inevitable. Parker cited poor recruitment, but his tactical limitations were evident once the team’s form collapsed.
22. Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure started with promise but ended in underachievement. His rigid 3-4-3 formation forced Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role and sidelined Kobbie Mainoo, leading to internal disputes with director Jason Wilcox. After winning only three of his last 11 games, Amorim was dismissed following a draw with Leeds.
21. Sean Dyche (Nottingham Forest)
Returning to his boyhood club, Sean Dyche sought to revive Nottingham Forest’s fortunes but was dismissed after four months. Despite six wins in 18 matches, his pragmatic style failed to inspire fans, and results against Leeds and Wolves proved the end. Dyche is expected to reappear in the Premier League before long.
20. Calum McFarlane (Chelsea)
Calum McFarlane, a youth coach thrown into interim duty twice, lacked the experience to lead Chelsea effectively. He won just one of six matches but earned commendable draws at Manchester City and Liverpool. However, defeats to Nottingham Forest and Sunderland ensured Chelsea missed out on European football.
19. Rob Edwards (Wolves)
Rob Edwards took charge of bottom-placed Wolves in November and could not prevent relegation. Despite spirited wins against Aston Villa and Liverpool and a draw with Arsenal, an eight-match winless finish sealed their fate. He will, however, remain to guide their Championship promotion push.
18. Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest/West Ham United)
Nuno Espirito Santo’s relationship with Nottingham Forest’s ownership deteriorated early, leading to his dismissal after three games. He soon joined West Ham, improving results mid-season but ultimately failing to keep them up. Despite a final-day victory over Leeds, other results sealed West Ham’s relegation.
17. Eddie Howe (Newcastle United)
After a historic domestic cup win last year, Eddie Howe and Newcastle endured a sobering season. With 17 league losses — more than all but the relegated sides — they narrowly avoided a relegation scrap. A 12th-place finish was below expectations and could force key player sales this summer.
16. Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Despite a £450 million summer spend, Arne Slot’s Liverpool struggled to replicate their former dominance. The Reds won fewer than half their matches, struggled defensively, and Slot’s rift with Mohamed Salah loomed large. A fifth-place finish secured Champions League qualification, but his position remains under scrutiny.
15. Vitor Pereira (Wolves/Nottingham Forest)
Vitor Pereira experienced both extremes this season. After being dismissed by Wolves following 10 winless games, he took over as Nottingham Forest’s fourth manager of the season and led them on an eight-match unbeaten streak to safety. Convincing away wins at Tottenham, Sunderland, and Chelsea highlighted his turnaround.
14. Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea tenure was turbulent but not without success. He delivered the Conference League and Club World Cup titles and had the Blues as high as second in the league. A poor run of one win in seven and friction with the board over possible Manchester City talks led to his New Year’s Day dismissal. His next chapter at City will reveal more of his true managerial quality.
13. Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
Oliver Glasner leaves Crystal Palace as their most successful manager, possibly adding a Conference League trophy to his resume. However, a 15th-place Premier League finish, the club’s lowest in a decade, was underwhelming. The sales of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi limited their potential, but Glasner’s frustration was evident throughout.
12. David Moyes (Everton)
David Moyes’ Everton flirted with European qualification before collapsing in the final weeks. A seven-match winless run, with repeated late concessions, saw them slip to 13th. Despite early-season promise, Moyes faces growing skepticism from supporters.
11. Marco Silva (Fulham)
Another steady season for Fulham under Marco Silva, finishing 11th for the fourth consecutive year. A final-day win over Newcastle capped another solid campaign, though missed opportunities — notably a late draw at Wolves — cost them a European place. His future remains uncertain with his contract expiring soon.
10. Roberto De Zerbi (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tasked with avoiding relegation in just seven matches, Roberto De Zerbi achieved his mission with three wins, including a decisive final-day victory over Everton. Spurs finished 17th, ensuring survival. With a full pre-season ahead, optimism is returning to north London.
9. Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton & Hove Albion)
After a difficult mid-season run, Fabian Hurzeler turned Brighton’s campaign around with seven wins in their last 10 games, securing back-to-back eighth-place finishes and European qualification. At just 31, the youngest Premier League manager continues to impress.
8. Daniel Farke (Leeds United)
Daniel Farke’s early struggles had Leeds fans questioning his future, but a tactical switch to a back three transformed their season. Leeds lost only five of their final 25 games, including a historic win at Old Trafford — their first since 1981 — sealing safety with games to spare.
7. Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Michael Carrick’s interim spell at Manchester United was outstanding. Following Amorim’s exit, he guided United to wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, collecting more points than any other side (39) over his 17 matches. A third-place finish capped a remarkable turnaround.
6. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
In his final season at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola balanced transition and competitiveness. He integrated new signings Rayan Cherki, Gigi Donnarumma, Antoine Semenyo, and Marc Guehi while nurturing young stars Jeremy Doku, Nico O’Reilly, and Abdukodir Khusanov. Despite 15 matches dropped, City pushed Arsenal close and remain well-positioned for the future.
5. Keith Andrews (Brentford)
Few expected Brentford to survive, let alone thrive, after key departures and Thomas Frank’s exit. Yet rookie boss Keith Andrews guided them to ninth, equalling their best-ever finish. Missing Europe on goal difference was the only disappointment in an impressive debut season.
4. Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
After a winless five-game start, Aston Villa’s season under Unai Emery surged spectacularly. They climbed into the title race mid-season before finishing fourth, securing a Champions League return. Adding another Europa League triumph further cemented Emery’s elite status.
3. Regis Le Bris (Sunderland)
Sunderland’s first Premier League season since 2017 was a revelation. Predicted to struggle, Regis Le Bris led them to a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification. Their fearless football and double victory over rivals Newcastle made it a dream return to the top flight.
2. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
After years of near misses, Mikel Arteta finally delivered Arsenal’s first Premier League title of his tenure. Adapting his tactics to a more physical, set-piece-oriented style, he built a team capable of sustaining a season-long challenge. It marks a remarkable transformation under the Spaniard’s leadership.
1. Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola masterminded the season’s most impressive managerial feat. Despite losing key players, including Antoine Semenyo mid-season, Iraola rebuilt superbly. After an 11-game winless run, Bournemouth surged with an 18-match unbeaten streak to finish sixth — their best-ever Premier League result and first European qualification. No manager outperformed him in 2025-26, leaving Marco Rose with big shoes to fill.
