Jonathan Wilson's Guardian column notes that, for the first time since the Premier League began in 1992, none of its "five big beasts" – Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, José Mourinho, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola – will be present this season, leaving the competition without a dominant, era-defining figure at its helm. This matters because English football's narrative has long been shaped by clashes between larger-than-life managerial personalities, and their absence leaves the league feeling comparatively anonymous as a new generation of coaches takes over.

The article highlights the current landscape of relatively unproven or understated managers: Régis Le Bris at Sunderland is already the fourth longest-serving Premier League manager despite his low-key style, while Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery are now the two longest-serving bosses at their clubs. Roberto De Zerbi, who joined Tottenham in March, has already outlasted 11 rivals despite his relatively short tenure. Wilson suggests Arsenal's Arteta may be best placed to fill the leadership void after their title win, though repeating the feat is difficult, especially with players such as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba returning from a taxing World Cup. Manchester City's Enzo Maresca and Liverpool's Arne Slot, the two most recent title-winning managers' successors, are also discussed as contenders to establish themselves as the league's next dominant force.