There's always rumblings about potential changes, but it feels like there are quite a few massive changes happening this year. The recently-confirmed "Pep-stakes" have only made the game of musical chairs more chaotic.
Changes that have already happened in the past month:
(Well, except for @bosox4283 and his Atletico Madrid.)
Changes that have already happened in the past month:
- Pep Guardiola's indecision about an extension forced Bayern Munich's hands, and they hired ex-Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose term will begin this upcoming summer
- Jose Mourinho's "mutual decision" to leave Chelsea after leading the team to the worst title defense start in English football history
- Klopp to the kop has been a done deal for a while, and despite some initial struggles, optimism is still high at Liverpool
- Chelsea has hired Guus Hiddink as interim manager, but it's not likely the Dutchman's tenure will last beyond the end of the year if one of the key names (e.g. Guardiola, Simeone) chooses them.
- Lots of rumors indicating Manchester United's Van Gaal will get the axe soon; the man himself publicly wondered if he was still a "very successful manager" worthy of leading the biggest club in England.
- Despite a league title and runner-up in his 2+ years - hardly a terrible track record - questions (particularly about tactics) continue to plague Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini. Stranger still, the Chilean is actively recruiting his potential replacement.
- The malcontent fans at the Bernabeu appear to have it in for newly-appointed Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez. I honestly don't follow La Liga closely enough to have a good feel for Rafa's job security, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a change despite only being two points out of first.
- Pep Guardiola is obviously the top choice for most clubs, and rightfully so. It's extremely rare to find someone that changed the face of football tactics and won just about everything that could be won before turning 40. Renowned for his possession-heavy total football style, he's been rumored to have an agreement with City, but United and Chelsea are surely chasing his signature as well.
- Jose Mourinho is now a free agent. The Special One is an unending source of entertainment and has indicated he is anxious to get back into the game without any extended break.
- Diego Simeone appears happy at Atletico Madrid, but rumors of Chelsea's pursuit of the Argentinean persist. IMHO, it would truly be a shame for the only barrier to the longstanding Spanish duopoly of Barca/Real to get raided. Atletico is no small club anymore, but the layer cake of world football is a strong, ugly force.
(Well, except for @bosox4283 and his Atletico Madrid.)