Only seven managers have won the Premier League in their first season after taking charge. The 1xBet.ie review assesses Andoni Iraola’s chances of joining this club.
Andoni Iraola’s prospects
Unlike many of the managers discussed below, Iraola is not making his Premier League debut. This Spanish coach spent three years at Bournemouth and is familiar with the nuances of English football. Last season, his team was Liverpool’s main competitor in the race for fifth place, which secured a spot in the 2026–27 Champions League league phase.
The 44-year-old Iraola is considered one of the most promising and ambitious coaches in Europe. Following in the footsteps of Arne Slot, he has inherited a star-studded squad that has yet to fulfil its potential – last summer, the club spent around £415 million on new signings. In the long-term betting markets for the future champions, the Reds are third favourites. It’s quite possible that the Spaniard will begin his tenure at Liverpool by winning the Premier League title.
Let’s take a look at other managers who have won the Premier League with a new team in their very first season.
Arne Slot
Season: 2024–25
Club: Liverpool
Arne Slot’s managerial career progressed steadily: Cambuur, AZ, Feyenoord and Liverpool. The Reds won the Premier League in the Dutchman’s first season, and at the time, it seemed as though he would be staying at Anfield for a long time. However, in the following campaign, the team performed well below expectations, barely managing to finish in fifth place. The club’s management decided to bring in fresh blood and replaced Slot with Andoni Iraola.
Alex Ferguson
Season: 1992–93
Club: Manchester United
Sure, the legendary Scot took charge of Manchester United in November 1986, during the period of Liverpool’s dominance. At that time, England’s main football competition was known as the First Division, in which Sir Alex’s Red Devils finished twice as runners-up.
In 1992, the First Division was transformed into the Premier League, and Manchester United were crowned champions ahead of schedule in that historic inaugural season. Alex Ferguson therefore rightly earned his place on this prestigious list.
Manuel Pellegrini
Season: 2013–14
Club: Manchester City
Before coming to England, Manuel Pellegrini had spent almost 10 years in La Liga. He had to work hard with his new team – in 2013, Manchester City were not yet regarded as a superclub. Under the Chilean manager, the Citizens won their second Premier League title. During the 2013–14 season, there was a fierce battle for the trophy between three clubs: Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea. In the end, only two points separated the Citizens and the Reds, with the Londoners finishing a further two points behind.
José Mourinho
Season: 2004–05
Club: Chelsea
José Mourinho’s unexpected triumph with Porto in the 2003–04 Champions League didn’t go unnoticed. The following season, “The Special One” moved to England and won the Premier League with Chelsea. In that campaign, the Blues achieved fantastic results – just one defeat and 15 goals conceded in 38 matches.
Carlo Ancelotti
Season: 2009–10
Club: Chelsea
Chelsea was the first foreign club in Carlo Ancelotti’s career. Until 2009, the Italian had coached exclusively in his home country, winning the Champions League twice with Milan. The Blues, led by Ancelotti, beat Manchester United in the title race. Don Carlo’s team finished just one point ahead of their main competitors and scored 103 goals in 38 games.
Claudio Ranieri
Season: 2015–16
Club: Leicester City
The Premier League title with Leicester City was the highlight of Claudio Ranieri’s coaching career, which spanned almost 40 years, including a 4-year spell in charge of Chelsea at the turn of the century. Before the start of the 2015–16 season, bets on a potential triumph for the Foxes were taken at odds of 5,000. And yet, in the spring of 2016, Leicester City and their Italian coach managed to write a fairy tale about a footballing Cinderella who sensationally became a princess.
Antonio Conte
Season: 2016–17
Club: Chelsea
The managerial careers of Antonio Conte and Carlo Ancelotti are somewhat similar – both started out in Italy before moving to England. And to the very same club – Chelsea. Following their triumph in the 2014–15 season, the Blues had a disastrous campaign, finishing only tenth, but Conte brought the trophy back to Stamford Bridge at his first attempt.
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Cheer for your favourite club and support Andoni Iraola in the new season!
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