The new year of 2026 has begun with characteristic turbulence in the Premier League, as depicted in the latest satirical cartoon from renowned illustrator David Squires. The focus falls on two of the division's most high-profile and volatile 'projects', where managerial reigns have been abruptly cut short.
A Sedate Start? Squires Satirises Managerial Carnage
With his signature wit, Squires casts a humorous light on what he terms a "typically sedate" opening to the year. The reality, as his artwork illustrates, is anything but calm. The cartoon centres on the dramatic exits of two managers installed to lead long-term visions at historic clubs. Ruben Amorim of Manchester United and Enzo Maresca of Chelsea are portrayed as being unceremoniously "thrown overboard," victims of intense internal power struggles that have scuppered their projects before they could truly set sail.
Projects Scuppered: The Brief Tenures at United and Chelsea
The cartoon cleverly underscores the frenetic and often short-lived nature of modern football management, particularly at clubs undergoing ambitious rebuilds. Amorim, who arrived with a significant reputation, and Maresca, tasked with implementing a distinct philosophy, have seen their tenures terminated amid reported clashes with club hierarchies and demands for immediate success. Squires' imagery suggests that the long-term planning these appointments promised has been rapidly discarded in favour of yet another reactive change.
The piece also serves as a promotional vehicle for Squires' own work, highlighting his favourite cartoons from the previous year and his latest published collection, titled Chaos in the Box. This ties the current instability on the pitch to the broader, often chaotic, theatre of football that he chronicles.
What This Means for the Premier League's Culture
The fallout from these dismissals extends beyond the two clubs. It raises fresh questions about the viability of so-called 'project' approaches in the pressure-cooker environment of the Premier League, where patience is a rare commodity. Squires' cartoon holds a mirror up to the cycle of hiring, firing, and power plays that defines the business end of the sport. The consequences for Manchester United and Chelsea are immediate: another period of uncertainty, another managerial search, and another potential reset of their sporting directions.
Ultimately, David Squires uses his platform to deliver a sharp, visual commentary on the relentless pace and political machinations at the heart of English football's elite. The dismissal of Amorim and Maresca is not just news; it's fodder for a satire that reveals the recurring patterns and absurdities of the beautiful game.
