The New Managers Reshaping the Champions League for 2026/27
Summer 2026 brought an earthquake to the touchlines of the Champions League. We look at the three biggest managerial changes ahead of the new season, at clubs that will be fighting near the top of the table.
José Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid
On July 13, 2026, Real Madrid announced the return of José Mourinho as head coach, signing him to a three-year deal. The Portuguese returns to the Santiago Bernabéu 13 years after his first spell at the club (2010-2013), during which he won a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey.
Mourinho arrives after a turbulent first half of 2026 for Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January 2026, with Álvaro Arbeloa holding the interim role until the Portuguese coach's appointment.
Enzo Maresca Leaves Chelsea for Manchester City
Manchester City named Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on June 29, 2026, succeeding Pep Guardiola, who stepped down after a decade in charge of the club (since 2016).
Maresca had taken over at Chelsea in 2024, where he won the Conference League (beating Real Betis 4-1) and the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, before leaving the club in January 2026 after 18 months in charge.
Andoni Iraola Takes Charge at Liverpool
Liverpool confirmed Andoni Iraola as Arne Slot's successor, after Slot was sacked on May 30, 2026, following a fifth-place Premier League finish just a year after winning the title.
Iraola arrives after three standout seasons at Bournemouth, whom he led into Europe for the first time in their history with a sixth-place Premier League finish. He signed a two-year contract.
What It Means for the 2026/27 Champions League
All three clubs — Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool — enter the league phase with renewed projects on the touchline, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to a season that already promises to be tightly contested.
Meanwhile, Luis Enrique's PSG — back-to-back champions after beating Arsenal in the Budapest final — and Arsenal themselves, runners-up in 2026, arrive with continuity in their dugouts, which could give them an early edge over rivals adjusting to new managers.