How do you fill the void left by someone irreplaceable?
Manchester City, regular favourites after six Premier League titles in the past nine seasons, begin the new campaign without their greatest manager, Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, 55, delivered 17 major trophies in a decade before departing at the end of last season. His former assistant, Enzo Maresca, has stepped in to take charge.
Maresca had been without a job since resigning as Chelsea manager in January. The Blues have moved on again since then: Liam Rosenior replaced Maresca in January but was dismissed before the season ended, and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is now in the hot seat.
Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title two years ago but endured a challenging stint with Real Madrid last season.
Many expected him to succeed 2024-25 title-winner Arne Slot at Liverpool, but the Reds opted for Andoni Iraola, who led Bournemouth to sixth place last term.
That makes three giants with brand-new managers. Add in Manchester United’s Michael Carrick and Tottenham’s Roberto De Zerbi, both mid-season appointments last year, and five of the traditional big six start this season under different leaders than they had at the previous campaign’s outset.
Only Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, in post since 2019, remains in place.