The 2025/26 Premier League has already witnessed sweeping tactical changes, with five new managers – Arne Slot, Enzo Maresca, Fabian Hürzeler, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner – changing possession, pressing, and set-piece tactics.
Liverpool’s Arne Slot has pivoted the club away from Klopp’s style, embedding a controlled 4-2-3-1 with inverted full-backs and 62% average possession. His side remains unbeaten so far.
Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca has revived control with a 4-3-3 that morphs into a 3-2-5. Anchored by Caicedo and Fernández, Chelsea hold 55% possession while conceding three in four matches.
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Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler, the league’s youngest boss at 32, deploys the Lavolpiana, dropping midfielders into defence for line-breaking passes. Brighton’s two counter-attacking goals already speak of last season’s 112 fast-break tally.
At Bournemouth, Iraola uses “flying full-backs” and direct goal-kicks to ignite transitions. His side stunned Tottenham 2-1, with four fast-break goals in just three fixtures.
Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner thrive on set-pieces, with a 25% conversion rate from long throws and in-swinging corners.
League data supports these changes: goalkeeper long passes have increased to 51.9%, while deliberate out-of-play kick-offs have risen.
Still, injuries and fixture congestion may test sustainability of tactics. Yet early signs indicate these managers could do better this season, with Liverpool and Chelsea among the strongest contenders.
