Planet Football

·8 July 2026

As the football world has been captivated by the World Cup, several clubs have remained busy behind the scenes, making significant managerial changes. Here’s a complete update to bring you up to speed.

While the high-profile appointments in the Premier League — such as Enzo Maresca joining Manchester City and Oliver Glasner taking charge at Nottingham Forest — have made headlines, you’ve likely also heard about Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid and Ruben Amorim’s move to AC Milan. Massimiliano Allegri’s switch to Napoli might have also caught your attention.

But beyond these major moves, there have been a number of noteworthy managerial appointments since the World Cup kicked off on June 11.

Starting with a big move for Ange Postecoglou, the Australian tactician has signed a two-year contract to take over Al Nassr, marking his first role since being dismissed by Nottingham Forest in October. Few would have predicted him becoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s next manager in 2026, but it promises to be an intriguing partnership. If history is any guide, expect him to lift silverware in his second season.

For Liam Rosenior, this is an opportunity to reset his managerial journey after a disappointing spell with Chelsea. Returning to France — where he made a mark with Strasbourg — could be a wise decision. He has penned a two-year deal with Paris FC, a club that recently celebrated its first season back in the top flight after 46 years, finishing mid-table. Expect more of Rosenior’s trademark motivational posts as he prepares to guide his new team in the French capital.

Similarly, Will Still’s decision to return to France might be a smart career move. The young manager shot to prominence during his time at Reims, when social media was abuzz with jokes about the club being fined for each match he managed without a UEFA Pro Licence. After a brief stint of 16 games with Southampton, the 33-year-old has now taken over at Auxerre on a two-year deal. The club narrowly avoided relegation from Ligue 1 last season, and Still will be keen to prove himself once again. The big question remains: will Will Still still be seen as one of Europe’s most promising coaches if this spell doesn’t go to plan?

Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani, a name Reds fans might prefer to forget, continues to build his managerial career. After several years developing young talent in Fiorentina’s academy, he took charge of Pisa in Serie B during the 2023–24 season. Following a year away from management, Aquilani returned to the dugout with Catanzaro last summer, leading them impressively to the Serie B play-off final. Although they fell short against Monza, his efforts earned him a move to Serie A with Sassuolo — one of seven clubs he represented after leaving Liverpool.

Ex-Chelsea defender Filipe Luis, who enjoyed a successful spell with Flamengo, was previously linked with the Bayer Leverkusen job earlier this summer. However, licensing complications prevented that move. Instead, Monaco have handed the Brazilian a two-year contract, marking his first managerial post in Europe. His task will be to guide the club through the Conference League qualifiers after their seventh-place finish under Sebastien Pocognoli last season.

Gennaro Gattuso, meanwhile, has landed a new role on the Serie A carousel, taking charge of Lazio. This marks his first position since failing to guide Italy to World Cup qualification, and his first Serie A job since a brief spell with Fiorentina in 2021. Having also managed AC Milan and Napoli in the past, Gattuso replaces Maurizio Sarri, who has moved to Atalanta.

After parting company with Robin van Persie, Feyenoord have opted against recalling Arne Slot and instead turned to Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Slot’s former assistant at Liverpool. It’s a homecoming for Van Bronckhorst, who previously managed the Rotterdam club from 2015 to 2019, winning five trophies during that time.

Despite Mallorca’s relegation from La Liga under Martin Demichelis, his side’s performances showed improvement compared to earlier in the season. His efforts have now earned him the RB Leipzig job, where he has signed a two-year deal to replace Ole Werner. It’s a significant step up for the former Manchester City defender as he takes charge of one of Germany’s most ambitious clubs.

Ignazio Abate, a familiar face from Italy’s Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup squads, has also climbed the managerial ladder. The former AC Milan right-back retired in 2019, managing Ternana five years later, and then moving to Juve Stabia in 2025. Despite Juve Stabia being placed under judicial administration amid allegations of mafia involvement, Abate led them to the Serie B play-offs. That achievement has earned him a Serie A opportunity with Torino — a club he represented during the 2008–09 season. His journey has come full circle as he now returns to lead them from the touchline.