Among the managers of the season, one stands out
- Published
The number of new or nearly new managers who will be at Premier League clubs in August feels unprecedented.
Michael Carrrick at Manchester United and Roberto de Zerbi at Spurs are 'nearly new' but Manchester City, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, possibly Fulham - and maybe even Newcastle at a push - will each have very different looking benches.
Each one of these is a huge story on its own but Andoni Iraola deserves a special mention.
To take Bournemouth to sixth place, at a club with a ground capacity of just over 11,000, after losing a multitude of top players, is beyond incredible. In many campaigns it would get you manager of the year award.
That field includes Pep Guardiola, not only the best coach in the business, but among the greatest of all time.
There is Mikel Arteta who could bring home a league and Champions League double and Regis le Bris who has turned Sunderland from Premier League minnows to seventh in the table. Astonishing.
Yet, Iraola's success still looks impressive in comparison.
I hope he gets the job he deserves next season; in fact, I am sure he will.
The rest of my column has a new home – on the BBC Sport website.
