Champions League is fertile ground for new managers – but knowhow could be key later on
Luis Enrique, Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta are among the favourites to lead their sides to victory, but more recent appointments should not be counted out
A delve into the history of the Champions League shows that managers can and do win in their first season at a club, but also that experience matters. Which makes it interesting, given that tenures for the 2026‑27 crop range from newly appointed coaches to one with almost 15 years in charge. Some have managed more than 100 matches in the competition, others none.
It gets under way on Tuesday with 14 of the 36 clubs led by managers who have been in the role for less than a year. It cannot match the turnover of the Premier League, in which 11 of 20 managers were appointed in 2026, but the tenures of the head coaches involved this season break down neatly.