By Mekonnen Almaw
The fact that the world's favorite league, the English Premier League—particularly its major clubs—is hiring coaches in their forties is truly fascinating.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are all part of this trend.
The Premier League, traditionally known for its veteran and experienced managers, has recently shifted toward being led by younger, energetic coaches.
The league was previously defined by legendary, veteran figures such as Pep Guardiola, Arsène Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Jürgen Klopp.
Perhaps most notably, the Spanish tactician Pep Guardiola, who possessed vast experience in both the league and across Europe, bid farewell to the Premier League and left his club, Manchester City, a few days ago.
The "Big Six" clubs, traditionally expected to contend for the title, are now focusing their selection on younger managers.
Two years after being led by the popular manager Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool agreed to appoint a new coach. After Arne Slot took over, he succeeded in making the club league champions. However, after evaluating the difficult period the club faced this year, the management dismissed the coach a few days ago.
According to news heard today, the Merseyside club, Liverpool, has reached an agreement to appoint the young coach Andoni Iraola.
The negotiations for Andoni Iraola's appointment are being led by Liverpool's Sporting Director, Richard Hughes.
It has been stated that the 43-year-old Andoni Iraola has a strong desire to take over at Liverpool.
There is a belief that what Andoni Iraola achieved at Bournemouth aligns with what Liverpool is looking for.
It has been said that the Liverpool authorities intend to pursue an attacking, high-energy, and fast-paced style of football. For this, Iraola is the primary candidate, and it seems inevitable that he will take charge of the club.
Similarly, it is recalled that the West London club, Chelsea, recently appointed the young coach Xabi Alonso to take charge.
Born on November 25, 1981, the 44-year-old Spanish coach Xabi Alonso signed his contract a week ago to manage "The Blues" for the next four years.
It is also not forgotten that former Chelsea manager and young coach Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola to take over Manchester City.
It is recalled that this young coach, Enzo Maresca, agreed to a three-year contract to manage Manchester City and has already started the job.
Another manager who recently took over a London club is Roberto De Zerbi, another of the league's young coaches.
Having taken over Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season and narrowly saving the team from relegation, 46-year-old Roberto De Zerbi was born on June 6, 1979, in Brescia, Italy. He has signed a 5-year contract that will keep him at Tottenham Hotspur until 2031.
Similarly, Michael Carrick, who recently took over Manchester United permanently, is the same age as those mentioned.
Born on July 28, 1981, 44-year-old Michael Carrick has agreed to a two-plus-one-year contract with the "Red Devils."
Having managed Manchester United temporarily for 15 league games, coach Michael Carrick succeeded in qualifying the team for the Champions League after two years.
In the same vein, championship-winning manager Mikel Arteta is also a coach in his forties.
Born in Spain on March 26, 1982, Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta is now 44 years old.
Although Mikel Arteta, who led Arsenal to the Premier League title and the Champions League final this season, has been managing the club for seven years, it seems inevitable that he will remain in the league in the future.
It has been reported that the North London club, Arsenal, is planning to offer a large contract to Mikel Arteta at the end of the year.
It is stated that the new contract will make Mikel Arteta one of the highest-paid coaches in the world.
The club plans to offer a significant salary increase for Mikel Arteta, and the payment is expected to be close to what coach Diego Simeone receives at Atlético Madrid.
So, among the 20 clubs in the league, the coaches of the traditional "Big Six"—Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham—are all in their forties.
What could be the secret behind this similarity in the age of the coaches and the league turning toward younger managers?
What kind of success will clubs show under these younger coaches in the future?
Which of these young coaches will succeed? This is something we will see together in the future.
