Who will set the standards for the Premier League?
The King of the Premier League is gone. The man, who for two decades set the standards that all others must rise to or be judged by, has finally stepped away from the game.
Even when Arsenal and Chelsea claimed the title, the suspicion always remained that it was merely on loan and that Alex Ferguson’s crown was merely tilted on edge, not totally removed. Even when Manchester United went three seasons without a title between 2003 and 2006, his aura loomed large – there was a sense of disbelief that his era of rule could be over, that his time on the throne could possibly end before he decided it was going to end.
There were moments when it seemed the Scot would be thrust from his chair, but each claimant was hugely flawed.
Though Jose Mourinho won back to back titles in dominant style, there remains a suspicion that Chelsea’s flatness in Mourinho’s third season and the start of his fourth was a result of mental exhaustion after the intensity of his two title winning seasons, and that his demanded standards aren’t sustainable over the longer term.
Similarly, Arsene Wenger reinvigorated the league with his ideas, particularly in 03-04 when Arsenal dominated with a style of play that was swashbuckling and tough. But the collapse the following season, brought about by their own frailties more than outside pressure, was so complete that it deeply undermined his reputation. Sadly, the man, who at one point brought an intellectual edge to the country, has since become a bit of a figure of fun.
Right until the end, Ferguson remained the man who defined and dominated football in England.
But now, his rule has come to a close. And if Game of Thrones has taught us anything (besides the fact that incest is sexy), it’s that the fall of a strong king will lead to a complicated battle to replace him. Predictability is the death of entertainment. Part of what’s promising about next season is that so many are either under a new boss, or in the follow-up to a difficult but intriguing first season. Next year will be a season of change, to an extent that’s unprecedented in England in recent decades.
Despite Manchester United winning two titles from three, all is not rosy at Old Trafford.
If you were to list central midfielders capable of dominating against any opponent in the world, since Roy Keane was released in 2005, it’d be a very short list. Paul Scholes, depending on when you consider him to have passed his peak, and possibly Michael Carrick. That’s it – an incredible run for such a key area in such a consistently successful side. Although it was more of a one-off, the wingers were also relatively weak last season, with Valencia being notably poor and Ashley Young still hasn’t really settled at Old Trafford. Defence and attack have remained strong areas, but Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic are getting older, and Wayne Rooney continues to be disruptive. There remains a suspicion that in recent years, Ferguson’s drive and stubbornness have powered Manchester United, pushing his side to pick up points they never should have collected.
A man with a tough role to fill
Will Moyes be able to make the changes required without ripping out the iron-willed sense of self-belief?
Will he be able to cope with the pressure of managing at a club where a trophy is a necessity, not a bonus?
Despite an impressive record at Everton, will he be able to command the respect of players who’ve won much more than he has?
And how will he cope with the pressure Mourinho is sure to exert through the media?