From Manchester United to Real Madrid and Chelsea to Paris St Germain, the biggest managerial overhaul is looming this summer. Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the football world and Manchester United with his retirement on Wednesday after 26 years in charge. But it took Red Devils just over 24 hours to name his replacement when Everton coach David Moyes was appointed his successor at the club after signing a 6-year contract.
With 2012/13 season almost coming to an end, the future of many other top managers is in doubt. From Jose Mourinho to Carlo Ancelotti, a number of managers have been linked with various clubs. The most obvious change will be at Chelsea. Rafa Benitez will definitely be on his way out from Stamford Bridge and going by reports current Real Madrid coach Mourinho is on the brink of returning to his former employers. The self-proclaimed 'Special One' - who took Chelsea to multiple titles - will be welcomed with open arms by the Blues' fan.
If Mourinho joins the club from London, it will eventually leave the challenging Real job open. With current PSG coach Ancelloti also rumoured to be on his way out despite his success there. His departure and availability may see him become the No. 1 candidate to manage Real. Ancelloti is one of the most respected and successful manager in Europe and Real Madrid management will have no hesitation to approach him for the most difficult job in Spain.
Another manager who might be on his way out from his club is Arsenal's Arsene Wenger. With Gunners failing to win any silverware for the last eight seasons, the Arsenal management seems to be divided on Wenger. But if he eventually decides to walk out of Emirates, he won't be short of offers. Reports in the media have suggested that PSG want to lure the Frenchman back to his homeland. And even Real Madrid might be interested in him. But at the moment it looks highly unlikely that he will leave Arsenal.
Bayern Munich have already announced that Jupp Heynckes would be retiring at the end of the season and would be replaced by the former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. However, Heynckes recently stated that he isn't sure he'll be retiring and doesn't want to rule out taking over another club. Let's not forget that Heynckes was the manager of Real Madrid and won them the Champions League, so a return there should not be ruled out at all.
Another change, though highly unlikely, we might see happening could be at Nou Camp. With Tito Vilonova's health a big issue and if he decides to walk out of the job, then Barcelona might be tempted to bring Heynckes or even Wenger at the club. However, there has been no such suggestion of him quitting, so it would be foolish to draw any conclusions.
Elsewhere, it feels like Roberto Mancini has an outside chance of leaving Manchester City and if he does, there'll be huge pressure on whoever takes over at the Etihad Stadium. Malaga's coach Manuel Pallegrini had been earlier linked with the job of coaching the Blue half of Manchester, but those are all conjectures so far.
AC Milan were also rocked earlier in the week with local media speculating that manager Massimiliano Allegri will break his contract with the club and sign with Roma once the season is finished. A front-page report in mainstream daily Corriere della Sera last weekend indicated that the move is prompted by criticism of Allegri from Milan president and former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. If Mancini walks out of City, Milan job could tempt him as well.
Here are our take for possible changes in the summer:
David Moyes to Manchester United (confirmed)
Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich (confirmed)
Jose Mourinho to Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid
Roberto Mancini to AC Milan
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