Page 21 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

Newcastle United
Everyone expected Newcastle to eventually reach the Champions League again after their 2021 takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, but not this quickly. The Magpies performed absolute heroics last season
to finish in fourth place and secure a return to Europe’s top table after 20 years, so it’ll be very intriguing to see how they fare this time. Despite the exit of fan favourite Alain Saint-Maximin, they’ve improved the squad with the signings of classy Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, winger Harvey Barnes, and coveted Southampton full-back Tino Livramento. The battle for the top four promises to be even more competitive, but in the long-term the only way is up for the team from Tyneside, and whatever happens they’ll be there or thereabouts.
NICKNAME:
The Magpies
MANAGER:
Eddie Howe
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 4th
Another exciting season awaits for Newcastle, who are back in the Champions League
Nottingham Forest
Taking into account the staggering influx of new signings in the summer
of 2022 and the frequent speculation over his future, Steve Cooper did extremely well to keep Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last season. This summer’s transfer activity was much more measured, with goalkeeper Matt Turner joining from Arsenal, and Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga adding another useful option to an attack that is built around Brennan Johnson’s pace and the creativity of playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. The new-look squad visibly grew in stature over the course
of last season and should be confident that they can avoid relegation more comfortably in 2023-24, although away form must improve.
NICKNAME:
Forest
The Reds Tricky Trees The Garibaldi
MANAGER:
Steve Cooper
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 16th
Nottingham Forest’s Willy Boly celebrates after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest
Sheffield United
Securing promotion back to the Premier League at the second attempt sparked jubilation for Sheffield United, but the optimism has faded somewhat after a summer of limited transfer activity and the loss of arguably their two best players. Iliman Ndiaye was a potential match- winner but decided to leave for Marseille, while midfield titan Sander Berge switched to fellow promoted side Burnley. Gustavo Hamer is an impressive signing from Coventry City, but overall the Blades look worryingly short
on quality ahead of what’s expected to be a battle against relegation, and they must be consistently at their best to have any chance of staying up. Although set-pieces may prove useful with the aerial threat of defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, it’s hard to see where the goals from open play will come from.
NICKNAME:
The Blades
MANAGER:
Paul Heckingbottom
LAST YEAR FINISH:
EFL Championship, 2nd
SOCCER360 MAGAZINE 21
DUGOUT DUEL
WITH THE COMPETITION GROWING FIERCER AND PRICE OF FAILURE CONTINUALLY ON THE RISE, PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS ARE UNDER MORE PRESSURE THAN EVER. STEPHEN DONOVAN DISCUSSES THE COACHES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2023-24.
Of the 20 coaches who began the 2022-23 Premier League season, less than half are still in charge of their respective clubs, just to illustrate how treacherous the landscape has become. There are those whose positions are untouchable, such as Pep Guardiola - long regarded as the world’s greatest coach and fresh from a remarkable treble success - and wily Brentford boss Thomas Frank who has taken the London side to unprecedented heights, but other clubs have presided over a revolving door of managerial appointments. Mauricio Pochettino has taken on the considerable challenge of picking up the bones of last season’s chaotic failure at Chelsea, and his record suggests he’s the perfect man for the job. The Argentine
has already reshaped what was a severely unbalanced squad, and with his pedigree and reputation for developing talent, he should eventually have the Blues back on the right track. Meanwhile, his former club Tottenham have made one of the most intriguing appointments of summer in Ange Postecoglu, whose entertaining style of football saw Celtic to successive Scottish titles. It’ll also
be welcomed by Spurs fans, who’d grown restless from watching the more pragmatic approaches of high-profile predecessors Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
At Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gary O’Neil took over on the eve of the campaign after Julen Lopetegui’s dramatic departure,
and faces a battle amid serious budgetary constraints. The 40-year-old was recently sacked by Bournemouth, where his replacement Andoni Iraola brings charisma and a pressing game which earned success in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano.
Elsewhere, there will be a lot of attention on how Vincent Kompany fares in his first Premier League season as a manager with Burnley, and Rob Edwards will relish the chance to upset the odds by leading outsiders Luton Town to avoid relegation.
And then we have those towards the top.
Mikel Arteta is desperate to go one better than 2022-23 and lift the title with Arsenal, Erik ten Hag will look to maintain the progress he set in motion at Manchester United, and nothing but the top four will do this time for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. As for Guardiola, he has the chance to make yet more history by winning the Premier League for a fourth year in a row.
Cole Palmer (R) of Manchester City and Oliver Norwood (L) of Sheffield United in action