Fabrizio Romano: My managers of the season

Who are the best managers of the season in the Premier League? It was not an easy year between the World Cup to interrupt in November and December, so many coaching changes and unexpected news. But these five coaches have done an excellent job.

We must immediately include a special mention to Erik ten Hag who completely revolutionized the mentality at Manchester United when everyone assumed the worst after a terrible start.

1) Pep Guardiola

Once again, man of the year. Manchester City have never given up on a difficult season with Arsenal doing excellent things for a long time, thanks to Erling Haaland with incredible numbers… but also to a simply perfect Guardiola in the crucial part of the season. Every choice was right, every rotation worked, even the risk of losing a player like Cancelo loaned out in January was high but it was rewarded. Man City’s second half of the season was a masterpiece that earned them the Premier League title. Congrats again, Pep!

2) Mikel Arteta

Arsenal won’t lift the trophy after a season at incredible levels, but the disappointment of these weeks is… the best news ever for the Gunners. This bitterness means that an enormous amount of work has been done on the winning mentality, they are no longer satisfied with Europe but they only want to win titles. Arsenal’s playing style for many months was the best in England, a team full of young talent who showed fantastic things. Arsenal did not win the Premier League this year but began to build an excellent future thanks to Mikel Arteta, crucial figure for this project.

3) Unai Emery

Aston Villa’s season looked like a disaster with Steven Gerrard as a coach. Unai’s work was really impressive: quality play, a positive atmosphere among the players, the recovery of the best performances of Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings, an enthusiasm that has been missing for some time in the club. Unai Emery has completely changed the present and future of Aston Villa by intervening after the season has already begun, which is often very difficult in the Premier League. Top coach, top impact. And sources feel that summer will be very interesting on the market to support Emery’s ideas…

4) Roberto de Zerbi

Imagine being on your first season ever in the Premier League, joining the club when the season has already started, replacing a super appreciated coach like Graham Potter… and becoming an idol, a club legend. This is Roberto de Zerbi. Modern and exciting football, an FA Cup semi-final lost on penalties, the first qualification in the history of the club in the European cups and much more to build. De Zerbi’s season at Brighton was simply perfect, it is no coincidence that Pep Guardiola rates him as one of the best coaches in the world. Remember the name.

5) Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe accepted the Newcastle job when the club had to try every effort to stay in the Premier League and avoid relegation, today he is the face of a club returning to the Champions League after 20 years. Eddie Howe has been kind of a genius in his work on and off the pitch. Newcastle plays modern and exciting football, values young talents and always thinks about the future. Being able to move from the fear of a year ago to the dreams of Europe today is something extraordinary. Howe is also a highly appreciated coach from the top of the FA for England’s future, but there is no doubt in his plans: Newcastle is the place to be.