Impact of managerial change on season ambitions.
All three of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea won their first league games under their new managers on the back of chaotic days, but the outcome of the weekend games does not mean their season objectives haven’t been altered with the forced hand decisions.
Back in the summer, when Xabi Alonso was confirmed as Real Madrid’s new boss, and Enzo Maresca led Chelsea to the Club World Cup title, only at Manchester United could anyone have believed a managerial change could occur mid-season, but all the glitters proved to be dust.
Even at United, there were times when it appeared Ruben Amorim’s job was no longer at risk, times when all three clubs felt their coaches were happy working under the management, while a lot of behind-the-scenes remained obscure.
Real Madrid thought they had the perfect replacement for Carlo Ancelotti in their former player, who made a name for himself abroad, although he was in no way similar to their previous Italian boss.
At Chelsea, Maresca endeared himself to the Blues after previously accepting the terms in his contract with the hierarchy, but along the way, he felt he needed more, and when a future opportunity opened up, he was quick to detach himself to become available.
Ruben Amorim had enough of Manchester United’s culture, although revelations would suggest he was made a different promise than what he was given; his timing was as bad as it could get, because the signs were promising, although consistency would remain an issue.
How Real Madrid got there with Xabi Alonso?
After watching Barcelona claim all domestic silverware last season, Real Madrid started the season with optimism, winning each of their seven opening games in LaLiga, before their heaviest derby loss in 75 years brought them down to earth.
Nevertheless, they were able to pick themselves up in subsequent games, and while their European form was unconvincing, they maintained an automatic qualification spot, and the Clasico win helped them establish a commanding lead at the top of LaLiga.
However, they dropped their guard right after, winning just one in five league games and allowing Barcelona to reclaim top spot. Their poor form also led to several off pitch criss, subsequently leading to fallout between the manager and players.
While he was not the perfect man for the job, Real Madrid was content with working with Alonso in the present and had no plans of sacking him during the season due to the distress of finding a new manager when not one had been identified.
The sudden decision made them appoint youth coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who has gone on to lose his opening game, a round of 16 Copa del Rey clash with lower division Albecete, further hurting their chances of ending the season with silverware.
How Manchester United got here with Ruben Amorim?
There was a chance Ruben Amorim would be let go in the summer, but the club chose to trust in him going forward, with INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliff affirming their support for the Portuguese in October, stressing three years.
The fact that the former Sporting CP coach requested a defensive midfielder in the summer but did not get one was quickly forgotten after a couple of results moved them to a comfortable position in the company of the leaders.
However, this continued to haunt them, while the departure of players to the African Cup of Nations, which coincided with injuries to top players, limited their options, and it very much reflected on the result as they continually missed the chance to steer clear in fourth.
Ruben Amorim later gave in to the pressure, chose to leave the club, while highlighting betrayal from the board, stating he was signed to be the club’s Manager and not Head Coach, the latter of which appeared as the role he was limited to.
How Chelsea got here with Enzo Maresca?
Chelsea gave a chance to a low-maintenance tactician in Enzo Maresca, but his status quickly rose after successfully implementing his ideas and winning both the Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season.
Maresca felt he deserved more authority regarding decisions at the club, which was against the culture at Chelsea as well as the agreement with the Italian at the start of his tenure.
The failure to sign a new center back following the injury to Levi Colwill in the summer impacted defensive performances, and the consistency of these shortcomings led the former Leicester City boss to decide to leave.
Nevertheless, his departure remains tied with a reported approach by his former team Manchester City, who are keen to appoint him as Pep Guardiola’s successor in the near future.
Impact of change on season ambitions?
It is never a good sight to change managers during the season, especially when it is the managers who resigned. All three clubs face major setbacks in their season ambitions, because crisis management is a priority over chasing glory.
At Real Madrid, the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa, Michael Carrick, and Liam Rosenior at these clubs signals a shift from a long-term tactical project to immediate crisis management, although Chelsea has decided to trust more in their new boss with an unusual long-term contract.
Arbeloa’s primary task at Real Madrid is to restore locker room harmony and fight for everything, yet the reality is a fight for stability, because they don’t look assured enough to challenge Barcelona, at least for the present.
Despite a recent 2-0 win over Levante, the squad is battling a severe injury crisis with seven key players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Éder Militão, sidelined.
At Manchester United, maintaining their Premier League position and ensuring a return to Europe is a priority for interim boss Michael Carrick, and he has started on the right track by winning the Manchester derby 2-0 on Saturday.
Yet, Manchester United is always capable of this kind of result, but consistency remains their only major concern, and with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium coming up next weekend, the former midfielder has the chance to make a convincing case of his ability achieve their immediate objectives.
At Chelsea, Liam Rosenior has been entrusted with a talented squad, and the former Strasbourg coach himself has stressed that the squad is a ‘win now’, and they are ready to take them to the heights.
He also marked his Premier League debut with a 2-0 win against an in-form Brentford side, a result that moved them back into the top six and ended a run of five winless games in the league.
What to expect before the season end?
All of Real Madrid, Man United, and Chelsea have talented squads, although they all come short in certain areas, like Chelsea and Real Madrid in defence, and Man United in midfield. Los Blancos are also not being helped by their injury crisis and these continue to define their season.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Copa exit, and Liam Rosenior, League Cup loss to Arsenal, have both experienced disappointments in the early weeks of their appointments. Although the Chelsea manager still has a chance to make it up in the return leg, the loss at Albecete could mean another trophy-less season for Real Madrid.
As far as the present is concerned, it was a good weekend for the trio, but the bigger tasks for these managers lie ahead, because while the change has altered the season objectives, it is difficult for stakeholders to lower their trajectories, and uncomfortable questions will be asked after every result that will see them not achieve it.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
