"... and Xabi Alonso makes three! In the space of 12 days, three clubs -- ranked first, fourth and 10th in the world by revenue -- dispatched their incumbent coaches, each of whom had been in charge 18 months or less and each of whom was regarded as a hot up-and-comer at the time of his appointment. Seismic doesn't half begin to describe it."
"It's not just the fact that all three are former playmaking midfielders in their 40s, with lived experience outside their native shores, that gave them a worldly, cosmopolitan sheen. Rather that, while results and expectations may have played a role in their departure, it was only part of the story. The real lesson here is fundamentally one of culture clash."
Three elite clubs, ranked first, fourth and tenth by revenue, dismissed their incumbent head coaches within a 12-day span despite each coach having been in place 18 months or less and touted as rising talents. The three coaches shared backgrounds as former playmaking midfielders in their 40s with international experience. Results and expectations influenced decisions but were not the sole factor. Club leaders cited a perceived lack of alignment with institutional DNA, brand and strategic "North Star." High-profile coaching departures increasingly reflect cultural and identity fit as much as competitive performance. Specific cases included Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, with Maresca having improved league position and won trophies prior to departure.
Read at ESPN.com
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