Premier League returns: Arsenal begin title defence as nine clubs change managers
Arsenal begin the season as champions; nine clubs have new managers and three promoted teams return to the top flight.
The 2026–27 Premier League season kicks off on 21 August 2026 when Arsenal host Coventry at the Emirates Stadium (21:00), with the Gunners entering the campaign as defending champions.
Arsenal will attempt a rare title defence after Mikel Arteta led them to the club's first league crown since 2004 last season. Continuity at the Emirates is one reason the team is considered the front‑runner: Opta's supercomputer ran 10,000 simulations and returned Arsenal as champions in 38 percent of outcomes.
Major managerial turnover
The league arrives with widespread change on the dugouts — nine of the 20 Premier League clubs have new managers. Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea begin under new leadership, while Manchester United and Tottenham prepare for their first full seasons with Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi in charge respectively. Pep Guardiola left Manchester City and Enzo Maresca has taken over at the Etihad.
Opta also rates Manchester City as the most likely challenger, giving them a 20.5 percent chance of winning the title; Liverpool are at 9.2 percent and Manchester United at 6.2 percent, with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham listed behind them.
Newcastle face a period of transition after Eddie Howe departed and Matthias Jaissle arrived as head coach, compounded by the exit of several key players. Promotion brought three clubs into the top flight — Hull City, Ipswich and Coventry — with Hull returning after nine years and expected to fight hard to retain Premier League status.
Photo: press material from the event
