From June 1st to August 31st, more commonly known as Silly Season, is usually a time when rumors concerning football players around Europe arise and if they are to change clubs or not during the summer. Even though Champions League winners Bayern Munich have made a large signing in Mario Götze, Barcelona have managed to convince Brazilian wonderkid Neymar to join the Catalonian side, the main focus around Europe during this summer is the transfers concering the managers and the top clubs, especially in the premier league.
With Sir Alex stepping down from his throne as the undisputed most succesful manager in football-history, the termination of Roberto Mancini after failing to secure the FA-cup (a 1-0 loss to relegated Wigan) and the end of Rafa Benitez interim-period, this left the top-three English clubs searching for new managers.
"The football-worlds' worst kept secret". This is what media referred to when talking about the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea. Ever since the beginning of 2013, Mourinho has hinted he has wanted to the club he managed between 2004-2007. After the semi-final overall loss against Dortmund in the champions league, Mourinho hinted even more that he wanted to return to Stamford Bridge. "In England I'm loved, especially by one club." After that moment is was only legal issues to be discussed before Chelsea could announce the return of the fans-favourite manager.
Manuel Pellegrini to Man City had a story similar to that of Mourinhos. Since Mancini was sacked, the main name has been Pellegrini, with the only thing that delayed the announcement were legal issues aswell, concerning Malaga and their financial issues. All in all City waited a month extra and saved a large amount of money by delaying it.
As for David Moyes and Man United, for most people this signing can't have been too much of a surprise. Over the years Sir Alex has praised his fellow Scotsman, for the fantastic job he has done at Goodison Park, especially with the restrained budget that Moyes has had to battle with.
So which of these managers will succeed and take home the title in May next year? All the fans at the different clubs expect a title, but only one can bring it back. The most pressure is definitely on David Moyes. I doubt that anyone in their right mind expects Moyes to repeat the amazing success of Sir Alex, but the United fans still expect something similar to what Sir Alex could deliver. Mourinho has a lot to prove aswell after his somewhat disappointing spell at Real Madrid. In my opinion has the least pressure on him since the Man City owner Sheik Mansour has shown to be patient regarding results at the Etihad Stadium. Russian billionaire and Chelsea owner has shown to be the complete opposite. Even though Mourinho is extremely loved at Chelsea, the pressure is going to be massive from the higher profiles at the West-London club.
Regarding who will win the EPL, I can hardly see any other team except these three winning. If Chelsea can manage to bring in Cavani or Lewandowski (or if Torres somehow miraculously returns to his form he showed on Merseyside) I think they are going to be hard to beat. Regarding second place i think that Man City will finish as the runners-up. With new signings Jesus Navas and Fernandinho (probably one or two more big names to come) and the exciting style of play that Pellegrini brings, I really think both the above mentioned teams to edge out Man United for the first two spots at the end of the season. Why the Red Devils won't finish amongst the top two is because i don't think Moyes can (at least in his first season) manage to balance the midfield and centre-halves as well as Ferguson did. Even if United manage to bring Barcelonas youngster Thiago Alacantra to Old Trafford i don't see them being able to clinch 1st or 2nd place.
With Sir Alex stepping down from his throne as the undisputed most succesful manager in football-history, the termination of Roberto Mancini after failing to secure the FA-cup (a 1-0 loss to relegated Wigan) and the end of Rafa Benitez interim-period, this left the top-three English clubs searching for new managers.
"The football-worlds' worst kept secret". This is what media referred to when talking about the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea. Ever since the beginning of 2013, Mourinho has hinted he has wanted to the club he managed between 2004-2007. After the semi-final overall loss against Dortmund in the champions league, Mourinho hinted even more that he wanted to return to Stamford Bridge. "In England I'm loved, especially by one club." After that moment is was only legal issues to be discussed before Chelsea could announce the return of the fans-favourite manager.
Manuel Pellegrini to Man City had a story similar to that of Mourinhos. Since Mancini was sacked, the main name has been Pellegrini, with the only thing that delayed the announcement were legal issues aswell, concerning Malaga and their financial issues. All in all City waited a month extra and saved a large amount of money by delaying it.
As for David Moyes and Man United, for most people this signing can't have been too much of a surprise. Over the years Sir Alex has praised his fellow Scotsman, for the fantastic job he has done at Goodison Park, especially with the restrained budget that Moyes has had to battle with.
So which of these managers will succeed and take home the title in May next year? All the fans at the different clubs expect a title, but only one can bring it back. The most pressure is definitely on David Moyes. I doubt that anyone in their right mind expects Moyes to repeat the amazing success of Sir Alex, but the United fans still expect something similar to what Sir Alex could deliver. Mourinho has a lot to prove aswell after his somewhat disappointing spell at Real Madrid. In my opinion has the least pressure on him since the Man City owner Sheik Mansour has shown to be patient regarding results at the Etihad Stadium. Russian billionaire and Chelsea owner has shown to be the complete opposite. Even though Mourinho is extremely loved at Chelsea, the pressure is going to be massive from the higher profiles at the West-London club.
Regarding who will win the EPL, I can hardly see any other team except these three winning. If Chelsea can manage to bring in Cavani or Lewandowski (or if Torres somehow miraculously returns to his form he showed on Merseyside) I think they are going to be hard to beat. Regarding second place i think that Man City will finish as the runners-up. With new signings Jesus Navas and Fernandinho (probably one or two more big names to come) and the exciting style of play that Pellegrini brings, I really think both the above mentioned teams to edge out Man United for the first two spots at the end of the season. Why the Red Devils won't finish amongst the top two is because i don't think Moyes can (at least in his first season) manage to balance the midfield and centre-halves as well as Ferguson did. Even if United manage to bring Barcelonas youngster Thiago Alacantra to Old Trafford i don't see them being able to clinch 1st or 2nd place.
