One Manager Stands Out in a Sea of Change

The English Football League Championship is known for its unforgiving nature, and the recent managerial shake-up is a testament to this brutal reality. Among the 18 teams competing in the league this season, only one manager has retained their position from last year – Portsmouth’s John Mousinho. The 39-year-old, in his first job in management, has been at the helm of the Fratton Park side since 2021, and his tenure has been marked by a unique approach to the game.

Mousinho’s comments on the Championship’s cutthroat nature are telling: “If you get something wrong, you get punished. If you don’t get a press right, you give the ball away, and on the flip side, that happens with head coaches as well.” His words echo the sentiments of his peers, who have faced the music for their failures.

The number of managerial changes in the Championship is staggering. Since the end of last season, 11 teams have appointed new managers, with only six of those new appointments being experienced managers in the second tier. One notable departure is Hull City’s Ruben Selles, who was sacked after six months in charge. His replacement, Bosnian Sergej Jakirovic, is a relatively unknown quantity in the Championship.

Other notable appointments include former Rennes manager Julien Stephan at QPR, and highly-rated 32-year-old Will Still at Southampton. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday has parted ways with Danny Rohl, while West Bromwich Albion has handed Ryan Mason his first shot at being the main man.

The managerial merry-go-round has seen some familiar faces return to the Championship, including former Luton boss Nathan Jones, who has taken the reins at Charlton Athletic. Frank Lampard, who guided Coventry City to a fifth-placed finish last season, will be looking to replicate that success this time around.

The experience and stability of some managers will be put to the test in the coming season. Robins, who took over at Stoke City in December, will be looking to lead the Potters to a top-half finish, a feat that has eluded them since their Premier League relegation in 2018.

The Championship’s longest-serving manager, Phil Parkinson, will be looking to guide Wrexham to success in his first season back in the second tier since 2019. Parkinson, 57, has managed at this level before with Hull City, Charlton, and Bolton Wanderers, and his experience will be crucial in navigating the challenges of the Championship.

The new season promises to be an exciting one, with several teams vying for promotion to the Premier League. The likes of Birmingham City, who won the League One title last season, will be looking to make a strong start and challenge for the top spot. Meanwhile, the likes of Middlesbrough and Sheffield United will be looking to bounce back from disappointing seasons and make a push for the playoffs.

As the new season gets underway, one thing is clear: the Championship will be a league of its own, where managers are under constant pressure to deliver results. Will Mousinho’s Portsmouth be able to buck the trend, or will the other teams in the league follow the usual script? Only time will tell.

Key Appointments

• Portsmouth: John Mousinho (retained)
• QPR: Julien Stephan (former Rennes manager)
• Southampton: Will Still (former Reims and Lens manager)
• Hull City: Sergej Jakirovic (Bosnian manager with no experience in the second tier)
• West Bromwich Albion: Ryan Mason (former Tottenham Hotspur caretaker boss)
• Stoke City: Chris Davies (new manager, replacing Danny Rohl)
• Wrexham: Phil Parkinson (longest-serving manager in the Championship)

Teams to Watch

• Birmingham City: The League One champions will be looking to make a strong start and challenge for the top spot.
• Middlesbrough: The team will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season and make a push for the playoffs.
• Sheffield United: The team will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season and make a push for the playoffs.
• Coventry City: Frank Lampard will be looking to replicate the success of last season and challenge for a top-six spot.

Championship Schedule

The new season kicks off on Friday, with several teams in action. The first match of the season will be between promoted Birmingham City and relegated Ipswich Town.