There is supply and demand. Rarely have so many major European clubs been looking for a new coach at the same time. And rarely have we seen so many coaches waiting for a new challenge. As we write these lines, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus Turin, AC Milan and Chelsea are looking for a new technician. Big names on the European scene, to which we can add other prestigious clubs, such as Naples, OM, Brighton and potentially Porto or even Manchester United, who could decide to dismiss Erik Ten Hag.
There is therefore no shortage of positions, and yet just a stone’s throw from the end of the season, uncertainty reigns. The fault of a few devious technicians who ruined the plans of the sports directors. We obviously think of Xabi Alonso, courted by Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who chose to continue his fabulous work with Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern Munich continues refusals from Xabi Alonso to Nagelsmann via De Zerbi. To the point of even trying to keep Thomas Tuchel, who also declined. It must be said that the German can easily imagine a rebound elsewhere, as there are so many places.
Few attractive candidates
Where are we today? Thiago Motta is heading more than ever towards Juventus Turin (thus leaving a vacant position at Bologna, qualified in the Champions League), AC Milan and OM are fighting to convince Paulo Fonseca (and LOSC will therefore have to find him a successor, with the preliminary rounds of the Champions League to be played), and for the rest, it is still quite vague. As if there was a lack of viable solutions.
This should not please a few world-renowned coaches whose recent stints have not been crowned with success. We think, for example, of José Mourinho or Antonio Conte, on whom these same clubs would have jumped 5 years ago. The surprise departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea on Tuesday could reignite the game of musical chairs, with the Argentinian still considered a builder despite his relative failures at PSG and Chelsea. Manchester United, who have been courting him for a long time, would be ready to pounce on him. Liverpool had a hollow nose in rushing to find Klopp’s successor, namely Arne Slot, given the difficulties encountered by the other big names.
