Managerial Merry Go Round

It's a tough job, with most managers lasting on average 18 months, it's a mad scramble to get the previous manager's players out the door, your players in, stamp your style on the team and the club, and above all, improve on the previous season. A lot of work for just a year and a half I'm sure you'll agree.
This summer saw probably the biggest chopping and changing of managers for many years. At the top, only Arsene Wenger is still at his post. With Sir Alex Ferguson retiring, Rafa Benitez's interim appointment coming to an unsurprising end, and Roberto Mancini sacked. Three managers on top of their game, and in their own way, with big shoes to fill.
Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and records go without saying, they're world renowned, it was always going to be a massive challenge whoever replaced the Scotsman at the end of his reign.
Rafa Bentiez steadied the rocking Chelsea ship after Roman Abramovich sacked Chelsea icon and Champions League winning manager Roberto Di Matteo. After a rough and frosty "welcome" from Blues, Rafa lead Chelsea to third in the league, a FA Cup Semi Final, and also success after winning the Europa League. Not a bad turn around.
Roberto Mancini of course, on the 13th May 2012, sealed Manchester City's first title win in 40 plus years, in the most dramatic league win of Premier League history. Actually, scrap that, football history.

The new man in the dugout, David Moyes

So as these experienced managers sail away in to other jobs, retirement, or whatever awaits them. We have seen three new men at the three clubs who finished first to third last season. David Moyes has of course taken the reigns up at United, his cross city rival this season will be Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, who has taken over at the Etihad Stadium. Down in the capital city, familiar face Jose Mourinho has returned to Chelsea to finish what he started under Roman Abramovich.

All three face the difficult task of emulating their previous manager, and of course, it's not just the top three that have new faces. As a result of Moyes' move, Everton have chosen Roberto Martinez to replace him. A unique manager, who has certainly served his Premier League apprenticeship well, battling at the bottom of the league, year after year, it will be nice to see Martinez competing at the other end.
Stoke City said goodbye to long serving manager Tony Pulis, and replaced him with Mark Hughes, somewhat of a chipped vase, after his QPR nightmare. I personally think this will be the most interesting swap in management besides Moyes of course. Pulis had been at the reigns for a combined total of seven years following two separate spells. His distinctive style was starting to ware out the Stoke fans, and they will demand Hughes gets their side playing a more attractive style, straight from the off. A manager who has had a troubled year or so, and an expected crowd, could spell trouble in my opinion. Although, I do hope Sparky turns his reputation around.
We also have a few managers participating in their first full seasons in charge. Paolo Di Canio of Sunderland, Manuel Pochettino (who I hope has been working hard on his English!) at Southampton and Ian Holloway at newly promoted Crystal Palace. All of these gentlemen, appointed at some stage during the previous campaign.

Hughes will be under pressure to keep the ball on the floor

With all the change, for me it's given the league a total refreshment, and I just can't wait for the ball to get rolling. Managers will as ever, be under pressure from the off, and some will of course, lose their jobs even before the flowers in their office window have died. But this is football, and it's such a brutal world. Here's to the new season!