Chelsea and Tottenham are likely to have to play a waiting game on their next managerial appointment.
This summer could see some big jobs come up with Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain both potentially becoming available while the biggest clubs in Italy could also be available.
That has left big names with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino very much in demand and therefore in no rush. Carlo Ancelotti has been under pressure at Real Madrid and Christophe Galtier has felt the heat at PSG while Diego Simeone’s future at Atletico Madrid is also uncertain.
Chelsea will speak to Nagelsmann, Enrique and Pochettino with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim also a potential target for both clubs.
Tottenham are keen to make a statement this summer as they look for a new permanent boss following Antonio Conte’s departure.
Former Spurs boss Pochettino is undoubtedly the fans’ choice to be their next manager while they have been heavily linked with Nagelsmann but he could have bigger suitors. Pochettino’s experience and ability to build dressing room spirit could appeal after Conte’s fractured reign.
But this could end up being an unprecedented summer when it comes to a managerial merry-go-round and the feeling is that Enrique and Nagelsmann will not be in a rush to jump off just yet. Tottenham are insisting they have yet to identify a No1 target, will bide their time to make the right choice and have poured scorn on reports in Germany that Nagelsmann has already turned them down.
Chelsea and Tottenham would normally be very attractive but both clubs could miss out on the Champions League, both are in transition and whether they will be able to attract their No1 targets will be a genuine concern.
Liverpool's Bellingham reality
The Liverpool decision to pull the plug on their transfer pursuit of Jude Bellingham this summer was purely financial.
And when you see the latest UEFA figures on prize money distribution from the Champions League it is perhaps easy to understand why.
Liverpool earned a staggering £105m for reaching the final in 2022 while the winners Real Madrid received £118m.
As Liverpool face up to the prospect of missing out on the Champions League next season, you can begin to see why they have a smaller budget this summer and would rather spend it on two or three players than put all their eggs in one basket.
Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen because Bellingham remains the most sought after young player in Europe. Real Madrid are making a huge play for him while Borussia Dortmund have said publicly they want to keep him for one more year.
No issues for Spurs and Euro 2028
The joint British and Irish bid for Euro 2028 was announced this week with hopes high they will succeed.
They also confirmed the ten venues in the presentation which included Tottenham’s magnificent stadium.
Tottenham have been courting a new sponsor for naming rights but any commercial tie-up will not cause a potential clash with UEFA sponsors during the tournament.
Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich are among the stadiums being used in Euro 2024, they have already have big name stadium sponsor deals but changing the branding and naming for the duration of the tournament has not been an issue.
Big six facing big payout
THE Premier League’s financial offer to the EFL has been one of the most painful negotiations in football.
They are hoping a package can be agreed to stop the new independent football regulator having to step in but one of the reasons it has been so difficult to agree is over who will stump up the extra cash.
There is a feeling among the Premier League’s majority that the regulator has only come about because of the Big Six’s ill-fated decision to be part of the now defunct European Super League. And therefore the feeling is that the Big Six should have to pay up more in terms of the EFL package.
Agents divided
The new FIFA agent licence has had very mixed reviews with long-standing agents pleased that it could reduce the number of family members involved in deals but unhappy on new earning restrictions.
But the new system is getting underway with many agents - long-standing agents are given a “legacy” exemption - now expected to sit an exam with the first to be held next Wednesday, April 19.
The exam lasts 60 minutes, comprises 20 multiple choice questions designed to test knowledge of FIFA regulations on contracts and transfers with a pass mark of 75 per cent. There is a 528 page document made available to study ahead of the exam.
Candidates can take the exam as many times as they need but the next exam date is not until September 20. FIFA needed to bring some sort of system in to regulate agents and will be hoping that finding some middle ground will work this time.
