The 2025-26 football season has seen several high-profile managerial changes in major European leagues. Managers such as Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest, and Wilfried Nancy at Celtic were all replaced during this period.
These changes occurred due to poor results, breakdowns in relationships with club leadership, tactical issues, or short-term failures to deliver expected performances.
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Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim took charge of Manchester United but faced challenges adapting his preferred 3-4-3 system to the squad. The team struggled with inconsistent results and a perceived lack of flexibility in tactics. He was sacked on January 5, 2026, after 14 months in charge, following a dispute with the club’s recruitment department and a run of poor form.
At the time of his departure, Manchester United sat in 6th place in the Premier League. Darren Fletcher, a former Red Devils midfielder, was appointed as interim manager to take charge of the team immediately after the sacking.
Enzo Maresca at Chelsea
Enzo Maresca had previously delivered success at Chelsea, including winning the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. However, the 2025-26 season saw a sharp decline in Premier League form, with only one win in the final seven league games before his exit. He left the club on January 1, 2026, by mutual consent amid a breakdown in relations with the hierarchy, despite the team being in 5th place.
Caretaker arrangements followed briefly, and Liam Rosenior was appointed as the new head coach on January 6, 2026, coming from Strasbourg, a partner club under the same ownership group.
Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso was appointed as Real Madrid’s manager in the summer of 2025, replacing Carlo Ancelotti. He started strongly, winning 10 of his first 11 La Liga games and securing a Clasico victory over Barcelona in October. However, form dipped significantly toward the end of 2025, with losses in key matches and reports of tensions with players and the board.
Real Madrid trailed Barcelona by four points in La Liga at the halfway stage. Alonso departed by mutual consent on January 12, 2026, one day after a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Álvaro Arbeloa, who had been coaching the club’s reserve team (Castilla) and is a former Real Madrid and Liverpool teammate of Alonso, was promoted to replace him as head coach.
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Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest
Ange Postecoglou was appointed by Nottingham Forest on September 9, 2025, following the sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo. His high-pressing, attacking style did not suit the squad, which had been accustomed to a counter-attacking approach. He failed to win any of his 8 matches in charge, including a 3-0 home loss to Chelsea that dropped the team into the relegation zone.
Forest sacked him on October 18, 2025, just 39 days or 40 days in some reports after his appointment, marking one of the shortest managerial reigns in the club’s history. Sean Dyche was appointed as his replacement on October 21, 2025, signing until 2027.
Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
Wilfried Nancy joined Celtic from Columbus Crew on December 4, 2025, as the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers, who had resigned in October, with Martin O’Neill serving as interim. Nancy’s possession-based style led to early struggles, including four consecutive defeats and losses in 6 of his 8 matches overall, such as the Scottish League Cup final and an Old Firm derby against Rangers.
He was sacked on January 5, 2026, after only 33 days, becoming the shortest-serving manager in Celtic’s history. Martin O’Neill returned as manager until the end of the season, with Shaun Maloney as his assistant.
Final Thoughts
These mid-season changes reflect the high pressure on managers in top football clubs, where results often dictate swift decisions by ownership and boards. The affected teams were in varying positions at the time of the changes, ranging from mid-table in the Premier League to second in La Liga and contending in the Scottish Premiership.
The replacements, often interim or quick appointments, aimed to stabilise performances and push for better outcomes in the remaining fixtures of the 2025-26 season. As of January 13, 2026, the full impact of these managerial shifts remains ongoing.
FAQs
1. Which football managers were sacked or replaced in the 2025–26 season?
Five notable managers were replaced during the 2025–26 season: Ruben Amorim (Manchester United), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ange Postecoglou (Nottingham Forest), and Wilfried Nancy (Celtic).
2. Why was Ruben Amorim sacked by Manchester United?
Amorim struggled to adapt his 3-4-3 system to the squad and suffered inconsistent results. Tactical rigidity, poor form, and internal disagreements led to his dismissal in January 2026.
3. Why did Chelsea part ways with Enzo Maresca despite being 5th?
Despite winning the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea’s league form collapsed late in 2025. A breakdown in relations with the board resulted in a mutual departure.
4. What caused Xabi Alonso’s exit from Real Madrid?
After a strong start, Real Madrid’s form declined, coupled with reported tensions within the squad. Alonso left by mutual consent following defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final.
5. How long was Ange Postecoglou in charge at Nottingham Forest?
Postecoglou lasted just over a month, managing eight matches without a win. His attacking philosophy failed to suit Forest’s squad, leading to one of the shortest reigns in club history.
