The coaches are the stars of this transfer market

Every year, at the beginning of June, the season ends and, inevitably, the so-called dance of the coaches begins. An elegant term, which should differentiate the coaches transfer from that of players, instead more chaotic and vulgar. Compared to the transfer market of players, which is all managed in capslock in the headlines of sports newspapers or in social media rumors, the methods through which coaches change benches are less visible and discreet, or at least they used to be. Today, more than ever, coaches have become the real protagonists of the transfer market, sought after and contested by teams and presidents, and demanded by fans who see in them a philosophy of play, a football mentality, and a promise of trophies even more than in a striker. So, in a very strange astral conjunction, this summer has triggered a domino effect that will revolutionize the panorama of European football benches.

Serie A

In no league will there be as many coaching changes as in Serie A. In fact, in our league, 10 out of the 17 teams remaining at the end of the 2023/24 season will have a new face on the bench at the beginning of the new year, with a domino effect that has affected various clubs. Paradoxically, it is the top teams that are changing the most, with only Inter and Atalanta, the teams that secured a place in the Champions League, having confirmed their managers. Juventus ended their relationship with Allegri for just cause, AC Milan decided to end their adventure with Pioli while Bologna suffered the farewell of Thiago Motta after a historic season.

While among the clubs that have secured their place in Serie A, few have done the same with the manager who achieved the feat. Ranieri left Cagliari and professional football after his last, incredible miracle on the bench of the Sardinians, Cannavaro parted ways with Udinese, saved on the last day, and even Baroni and Palladino, respectively on the benches of Verona and Monza, have chosen to change scenery for a different challenge. 

And the discussion about this revolution on the bench has become so dominant that it has reduced the talk about the transfer market of players to a small article, waiting for perhaps after the Euros to define the main signings of the season. But at the moment, the rumors about Thiago Motta to Juventus, or the indecision of AC Milan about the post-Pioli era, or even the explosive separation between Igor Tudor and Lazio, have been the hottest topics both in newspapers and on social media, confirming how coaches are the main protagonists of this first pale summer without football being played.

The rest of Europe

Not only in Italy, but also in the rest of the major European leagues, the talk is all about coaches and who will sit on some of the most prestigious benches next season. Let's start with the Premier League, with the departure of Jurgen Klopp from Liverpool, which closed a historic cycle for the Reds, ready to start a new one with Arne Slot. But Chelsea has also decided to end their relationship with Pochettino to choose an Italian profile, historically very welcome at Stamford Bridge: Enzo Maresca, fresh from promotion with Leicester. In Spain, the situation between Barcelona and Xavi, first resigned, then retained, and finally replaced by Hansi Flick, has been the talk of the town for a long time.

In Germany, Bayern Munich tried to snatch Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen, also pursued by Liverpool, before signing former Burnley coach and Manchester City legend Vincent Company. It is up to Guardiola's disciple to restore the balance of power in the Bundesliga, after one of the worst seasons for the Bavarians under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel. Porto also had to change coaches, promoting Vítor Bruno from assistant after Sérgio Conceição announced his departure after winning the national cup. Or think of José Mourinho's triumphant announcement in Turkey.

A considerable number of coaching changes, or, as mentioned, a dance that has conquered all the front pages of newspapers and shows how the transfer market for players is currently at a standstill, compressed by crazy figures and fees to be paid to agents. It is no coincidence that the most important transfer, that of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid, arrived on a free transfer after months, if not years, of anticipation, ruining any kind of enthusiasm. So, it's better to take refuge in the dance of the benches, waiting for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place.