How did PL’s Dugout New Boys Get On?

The 2026/27 Premier League campaign promises to be even more interesting and exciting than usual. Many pundits have tipped Arsenal to walk away with the PL title. However, predicting who will finish between second and 14th is perhaps harder than it has ever been. Part of the reason for this is that so many clubs have new managers. Consequently, it is far trickier to know what to expect.

A massive nine teams have a new manager for the start of this season. They are our focus in this article. However, it is also worth pointing out that two further clubs, Man United and Spurs, have a different boss at the start of this season than they did back in August 2025.

Nine Newbies

Nine Premier League clubs, or 45% of the division, will start the 2026/27 campaign with a different manager from the one they had at the end of 2025/26. Not all of them are new to the top tier of English football, though. Indeed, while some have played in the EPL before, others were managers of other Premier League teams just a few short months ago.

But how did they get on in the opening weekend of the season?

Gary O’Neil – Great Win for Ipswich

Ipswich and Gary O’Neil are not the most obvious place to start. But the Tractor Boys did perhaps get the best result of the round as far as the new bosses are concerned. Ipswich hosted Sunderland and won 2-1. O’Neil’s men were widely tipped for relegation, but they got the perfect start against the Black Cats.

They were clinical in front of goal against a team that finished seventh last term. Although some pundits have tipped Sunderland to struggle this season, that is largely based on the impact European competition will have. They probably need to make hay before then, so this was a very poor result for them.

The match seemed headed for a draw, with the sides level at 1-1 in the 90th minute. However, former Sunderland man Jack Clarke produced a lovely finish from the edge of the area to seal the points.

Enzo Maresca – Late Goals Cover Cracks

Man City also left things very late to seal all three points. Maresca will be delighted with his side’s resolve and grit. On the other hand, he will be concerned that his troops were 1-0 down with just six minutes to play.

Marc Guehi, included as a holding midfielder, scored the equaliser. Then, in the first minute of stoppage time, Josko Gvardiol got the winner. They played well at times and deserved the win, 2-1 at home against Bournemouth. But they were poor in the first half and at times looked a little pedestrian.

Marco Rose – Positives, Not Points

Rose has huge boots to fill after Iraola’s departure to Liverpool. There were lots of positives in the defeat to City. Of course, he would have preferred a point, or even three, but Bournemouth gave a solid display.

Gvardiol’s winner was only awarded after a VAR check for offside. That is how close the Cherries came to earning a draw. In truth, however, both Guehi and Erling Haaland missed excellent chances earlier in the game, and so it is hard to say Rose’s men merited taking anything from the game. He has work to do defensively, but this was always likely to be a huge test.

Liverpool and Newcastle Share Spoils but Better Day for Jaissle

In another clash between two newcomers to their roles, Andoni Iraola and Matthias Jaissle had to settle for a point each. A draw was a fitting result on a day when both clubs honoured a man who is a legend on Merseyside and Tyneside. Remembering Kevin Keegan, who died on the 20th of July, the atmosphere at St James’ Park was electric.

If one great attacker brought the clubs together, another certainly divided them, with Alexander Isak roundly booed by the home supporters. The Swede had limited impact, though he had chances to score. Iraola must find a way to get the best out of him if the Reds are to thrive.

The bigger concern for Liverpool’s new manager will be rectifying their defensive woes. They were poor at the back last term and again here. They lack the pace, organisation and pressing energy to play the high line Iraola wants. The Reds were very open on the counter and conceded on the break after just five minutes.

In the end, 2-2 was probably just about fair. That said, the hosts will be aggrieved by the late, late penalty they conceded. The decision was correct, but to drop two points in the 99th minute always hurts. The Magpies must be happy with a point though. Considering how many top players they have lost, they did well. Jaissle can be pleased with the effort his side put in and, in particular, the superb performance of Yoane Wissa.

And Two More Newbies Clash at Craven Cottage

Xabi Alonso took his Chelsea side to Craven Cottage to face Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham. It was the last round of the opening weekend, on Monday night. And it was worth the wait.

The two new managers both worked for Real Madrid before moving to the PL. Moreover, the duo also played for Los Blancos, as well as Liverpool. In the end, the two Spaniards oversaw an entertaining 3-2 win for Chelsea.

Alonso will not really have learnt all that much. On this performance, the belief among many fans and experts that Chelsea’s front three would be deadly seems sure to be proved right. Between them, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers scored three (one each) and provided two assists. But at the back, they looked poor. In particular, keeper Robert Sanchez had a nightmare.

As for Arbeloa, he will have liked much of what he saw. His men could easily have pinched a point. They certainly won’t be the last team that struggles to contain Alonso’s attacking triumvirate.

Glasner’s Forest Lose to Leeds

Oliver Glasner swapped Palace for Forest and started his life in the East Midlands with a 1-0 loss to Leeds. It was not a game for the neutrals. Indeed, the total xG for the match was just 1.13. Additionally, there were only five shots on target. Leeds won thanks to a free kick from Anton Stach that keeper Matz Sels will feel he should have saved.

On balance, 0-0 may have been a fair result. But if anything, Forest were the better side. Glasner will look to the positives, but he knows their home form will be key, so this will feel like a missed opportunity.

Pierre no Sage for Palace

Glasner was replaced at Selhurst Park by French boss Pierre Sage. The 47-year-old had impressed at Lyon and Lens, but he clearly has work to do. His side started the game well. Had they taken their chances in the first half, the result could have been very different.

However, they didn’t, and Everton punished them ruthlessly. The visitors had 58% possession over the match, and 62% in the second 45. Despite that increased control of the ball, Palace were far less effective after the break. David Moyes’ men scored either side of half-time, and the visitors had no response.

Jordan Pickford made a couple of excellent saves, as he so often does, though he had very little to deal with in the second half. Sage will need time to get his ideas across, but he faces big issues off the pitch. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who should have scored, wants out. Last season’s top scorer Ismaila Sarr did not feature and is set to leave. Additionally, Adam Wharton is highly regarded by several clubs. Sage will be desperate for the transfer window to close.