Zinedine Zidane once said "no gracias" to the Manchester United job because
he couldn't speak the language. I mean, come on,
it's not rocket science! Just say "Pass the ball" and "Shoot" and you're good to go, right?
But seriously, it's not just Zizou who's wary of joining the Premier League. Some
managers just don't want to deal with the hype and pressure that comes with the job.
Speaking of which Luis Enrique is following in Zidane's footsteps and saying no to the Premier
League. Despite being linked to Tottenham's managerial position, he's not interested in
coaching in England anytime soon. Enrique wants to manage a team that can do important things,
and he knows that's not an easy feat in the cutthroat world of the Premier League.
But there are other underlying reasons why
some top managers are afraid to join the Premier League.
Let's face it, the Premier League is no joke. The competition is fierce,
and it's not for the faint-hearted. That's why
some of the top managers in the world shy away from taking on the challenge.
Just take a look at Sir Alex Ferguson, who won a whopping 13 titles in 21 seasons at
Manchester United. And in the four seasons he didn't win, he lost by
just one point or on goal difference. That's how tight the competition is.
And it's not just the legendary managers who struggle. Even top clubs like Liverpool and
Chelsea, who have enjoyed success in European competitions, are finding it tough in the Premier
League this season. It just goes to show that the competition is relentless and unforgiving.
Another reason why some top managers might be hesitant to take on the
challenge of the Premier League is the intense media scrutiny that comes with
the job. The press in England is known for being particularly tough,
and any manager who takes on the job knows they'll be under the microscope.
Just ask Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp,
two managers who have had their fair share of run-ins with the media.
Mourinho's time in England was certainly eventful, with the media never far away from his latest
outburst. After his Manchester United team was beaten 3-0 by Tottenham, he was quick to remind
everyone of his success, holding up three fingers to signify his three Premier League titles, while
Klopp has been known to clash with reporters who he feels are being too critical of his team. The
intense media scrutiny can take a toll on even the toughest of managers, and it's not for everyone.
To add to that, Premier League clubs also have very vocal and critical fan bases,
with many fan forums and YouTube channels dedicated to analyzing and criticizing
their team's performances. This can add an extra layer of pressure on managers,
who may feel like they are constantly being scrutinized and judged by their own fans.
One example of this is the popular Arsenal Fan TV, which has been known to be highly critical
of Arsenal's management and ownership. The protests by Arsenal fans outside the
Emirates Stadium and the fan forum where Josh Kroenke was grilled over his father's
ownership are just some examples of how intense the pressure can be for Premier League managers.
And then there’s the issue of job security. Wow, it seems like Premier League clubs are
going through managers like hotcakes! In the 2022/23 season alone, a whopping 12 managers have
already been shown the door. It's like the clubs have a "three strikes and you're out" policy,
except they only give you one or two strikes before they kick you to the curb. No wonder
some managers might prefer to work in a more stable environment, like a beach resort or a
retirement home. At least there, they won't have to worry about getting sacked every other week!
Moreover, the physical demands of the Premier League can be a significant
challenge for managers. The league is known for its high-tempo, physical style of play
that can take a toll on players and coaches alike. One contributing factor to this theory
is that referees in the English Premier League are generally more lenient than
their counterparts in the rest of Europe, which can lead to more physical play on the field.
Another important factor is the lack of a winter break during the Premier League season. Unlike
many other professional leagues, the Premier League does not have a mid-season break,
and the Christmas/New Year period is one of the busiest in the season with teams often playing
three games in a week. This, along with having two very competitive domestic cup competitions
and limited scheduling flexibility to support teams playing in European cup competitions,
contributes to the English Premier League being a physically demanding competition.
Plus, the weather in the UK can be unpredictable and harsh,
especially during the winter months. This can make travel to away games difficult and
put additional strain on managers and players. For managers who are used to milder climates,
this could be a deterrent to joining a Premier League club.
And lastly, Premier League clubs' transfer policies have been a source of controversy
and criticism for years. The ownership structure of these clubs often means that
the manager is not the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to player acquisitions. That's
where a Director of Football comes in. This lack of control can be frustrating
for managers who want to build their own squad and implement their own vision for the team.
Take Liverpool, for example. They have a "transfer committee" that helps make decisions about which
players to sign. And while some fans or managers might not like it, it has helped
them bring in some seriously talented players like Sadio Mane and Mo Salah. But still, some
managers want liberty when it comes to transfers which the Premier League doesn’t allow fully.
So, what’s your take on this? Let me know in the comment section. If you enjoyed this video,
give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel. Also, turn on the bell
notification so you never miss out on new content. Catch you at the next one. Bye!