As the new football season gets underway, Team Revival is on everyone’s mind. With some Premier League clubs having underwhelming starts, fans and chairmen alike are already casting glances at the market of available managers and coaches. And what a talent pool it is – with some of the biggest names in football still out of work. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the out-of-work big names awaiting their next big assignment.
Out-of-Work Managers with a Proven Track Record
When it comes to managers with a proven track record, there are a few names that stand out. One of the most notable is Thomas Tuchel. The 51-year-old German spent little more than 18 months in the Premier League, but his tenure at Chelsea was trophy-laden. He won the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, and Fifa Club World Cup in his first few months, and the Blues reached both FA Cup and EFL Cup finals in the next season. Disagreements with the club’s new owners meant Chelsea dispensed with his services, but Tuchel remains the man to have taken Paris St-Germain closest to Champions League glory – they reached the 2020 final under his guidance. His resume is hugely impressive, and it’s hard to see him being out of work for long.
Another manager with a proven track record is Gareth Southgate. After eight years as England manager, taking the Three Lions to two European Championship finals, Southgate is on the market again. His only experience in club management was a three-year stint at Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009, but – after his achievements with England – surely it won’t be long before he returns to the game. Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for Southgate in the summer, until they backed current boss Erik ten Hag.
Managers Looking to Revive Their Careers
While some managers are looking to pick up where they left off, others are looking to revive their careers. Frank Lampard is one of them. The 44-year-old enjoyed a 52.4% win record at Chelsea, but that dropped to 27.3% at Everton. Hamstrung by a transfer embargo, Lampard still guided Chelsea to a top-four finish, an FA Cup final, and helped youngsters like Reece James flourish. Having previously taken Derby to the Championship play-off final, his stock was high after his Blues exit. However, after a year fighting fires at Everton and a forgettable interim Chelsea return, Lampard has been out of management since May 2023.
Graham Potter is another manager looking to revive his career. When he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, few would have expected Potter to be out of a job for long. But almost 18 months later, here we are. Potter’s short stay at Stamford Bridge did not work out amid a huge squad overhaul, but he previously received widespread acclaim for his work at Brighton. He initially honed his managerial skills with Swedish club Ostersund and Swansea, before turning Brighton into a respected Premier League force in three years on the south coast.
Managers from Abroad
While some managers are looking to revive their careers in the Premier League, others are looking to make the move from abroad. Xavi is one of them. The 44-year-old spent two and a half years at Barcelona, winning one La Liga title and keeping the Catalan giants dining at most of football’s top tables during a lengthy period of financial uncertainty and upheaval. The prospect of him following one-time mentor Pep Guardiola to the Premier League is surely a salivating one for footballing purists.
Other Notable Managers
Other notable managers who are currently out of work include David Moyes, who had a fruitful spell in London with West Ham, and Zinedine Zidane, who won 108 caps for France and landed the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship two years later. Jurgen Klopp, who spent nine years at Anfield before stepping down at the end of last season, is also on the market. The 57-year-old – who won virtually every major trophy club football has to offer during his nine years at Anfield – will surely have Europe’s heavyweights forming a queue when he does decide the time is right to return.
What the Future Holds
With so many big-name managers out of work, it’s exciting to think about what the future holds. Will Thomas Tuchel make a return to the Premier League? Will Gareth Southgate take the reins at a top club? And what about the managers looking to revive their careers – will they be able to turn things around? One thing is for sure – the coming months and years will be fascinating as these managers look to make their mark on the football world once again.
In the words of The Guardian, “the world of football is a cruel one.” But for these managers, the future is full of possibilities. Will they be able to recover from their setbacks and make a successful Team Revival? Only time will tell.
What do you think the future holds for these managers? Let us know in the comments!