We’re thirteen days into 2026, and we’ve seen three high-profile managers/coaches lose their jobs for specific reasons. Enzo Maresca, Ruben Amorim, and Xabi Alonso have all been sacked or parted ways with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, respectively.
Enzo Maresca’s 18-month tenure at the London club ended on New Year’s Day after a dramatic, quick breakdown in his working relationship with senior figures at the Premier League club. The Italian was under contract until 2029 with the option of a further year, bringing him in line with Chelsea’s policy of signing staff and players for the long term. However, after Maresca made some remarkable comments, Chelsea opted to remove him, and in steps Liam Rosenior from sister club, RC Strasbourg. Maresca could be in line to take over at Manchester City if Pep Guardiola leaves at the end of the season.
The drama did not end there as Ruben Amorim was surprisingly sacked five days later. Manchester United parted ways with the former Sporting CP boss after 14 months in charge at Old Trafford, with Darren Fletcher stepping in as caretaker coach and Amorim’s future path very much undecided. The Red Devils have been looking stronger and a better unit this season, but the main reason for his departure was due to a clash with the club’s Sporting Director, Jason Wilcox. Amorim’s public comments that he is a manager and not a coach seemed to have struck a nerve with Wilcox, and the rest is history. The Portuguese has since returned to his native land, while Michael Carrick has been appointed interim manager of United until the end of the season. First up for Carrick is the Manchester Derby.
Xabi Alonso was a breath of fresh air when he took over at Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. His incredible achievements there earned him the right to be hailed as a top young manager. After Carlo Ancelotti gracefully stepped down, Alonso’s appointment at Madrid was the ideal candy shop selection as a former club legend was going to come in for proper managerial reasons. However, tough times hit the Spaniard from the moment he arrived, and he had to deal with multiple issues, especially with individual player egos. Statistically, Alonso has the best win ratio among any Madrid manager, and the team is in a decent position for both the league and the Champions League. But the loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup was the nail in the coffin, and after only seven months, Madrid decided to let him go as he didn’t meet objectives. Alvaro Arbeloa will take charge. As for Alonso, if he decides to stay away from management for now, there could be a full-time job with a turbulent red club in England.
