The 2023-24 season is just around the corner and the Championship looks set to be more competitive than ever over the next 10 months. But who is heading into the new campaign with a new manager? And how does that alter the landscape of the English second tier?
Leicester City - 9/2 - Manager: Enzo Maresca (formerly Dean Smith)
Following a shock relegation from the Premier League last season after nine years in the top flight, a rebuild is needed at the King Power Stadium. Enzo Maresca arrived fresh off working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City so many are expecting a lot more organisation from the Foxes.
Leeds United - 7/1 - Manager: Daniel Farke (formerly Sam Allardyce)
Leeds’ three years back in the Premier League were mostly chaotic, ending with all hope resting on Sam Allardyce to keep them up. In the restructure, former Norwich City boss Daniel Farke has taken the reins. He has two promotions on his CV but Leeds are in desperate need of additions with several players leaving.
Southampton - 8/1 - Manager: Russell Martin (formerly Ruben Selles)
Southampton are back in the Championship after 11 years and Russell Martin has been poached from Swansea City to rebuild the Saints with an expansive style of football. Southampton have needed a new vision for quite some time and Martin can help implement that.
Middlesbrough - 9/1 - Manager: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick guided Middlesbrough to the play-offs last term and is building towards another top-six finish this time around.
Ipswich Town - 14/1 - Manager: Kieran McKenna
Fresh off the back of promotion from League One, McKenna recently signed a new long-term deal at Portman Road.
Norwich City - 16/1 - Manager: David Wagner
Wagner replaced Dean Smith last term but the Canaries had a disappointing season overall, finishing 13th. They will be hoping for a much higher finish this year.
West Bromwich Albion - 16/1 - Manager: Carlos Corberan
Carlos Corberan had an instant impact at The Hawthorns in 2022-23 but results dropped towards the end to dent their play-off hopes. Their financial situation might hinder them this season.
Watford - 16/1 - Manager: Valerian Ismael (formerly Chris Wilder)
History tells us that this appointment will be the first of many over the course of the next season. Will he still have a job by October?
Sunderland - 18/1 - Manager: Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray guided Sunderland to the play-offs last year in their first season back in the second tier. No need to fix what isn’t broken.
Stoke City - 20/1 - Manager: Alex Neil
After jumping ship from Sunderland, things didn’t go quite to plan for Alex Neil at Stoke. Each year you expect them to build on the previous campaign but it rarely happens.
Coventry City - 20/1 - Manager: Mark Robins
Mark Robins is a legend in Coventry after guiding the club from League Two to within a penalty shoot-out of the Premier League. The Sky Blues keep improving under their very talented coach.
Millwall - 25/1 - Manager: Gary Rowett
Gary Rowett has been in the dugout at The Den for just shy of four years and Millwall have been on the cusp of the top six in the past two seasons.
Blackburn Rovers - 25/1 - Manager: Jon Dahl Tomasson
Jon Dahl Tomasson made an excellent first impression at Ewood Park in 2022-23 and, after almost delivering the play-offs, Rovers will be hoping to surpass last year’s finish.
Hull City - 28/1 - Manager: Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior had a positive impact at Hull last season and the promising young coach will be eager to build on it with a full pre-season and new additions.
Preston North End - 33/1 - Manager: Ryan Lowe
Ryan Lowe led Preston to a respectable mid-table finish last time out and seems ready to oversee a longer-term project.
Swansea City - 33/1 - Manager: Michael Duff (formerly Russell Martin)
Swansea have lost another key asset in Russell Martin but they have replaced him with Duff, who did a good job at Barnsley in League One. With the impending departure of star forward Joel Piroe, Duff will have some funds to work with to mould the squad to his liking.
Bristol City - 33/1 - Manager: Nigel Pearson
Bristol City will be hoping for a much higher finish this term after blowing hot and cold last year.
Sheffield Wednesday - 40/1 - Manager: Xisco Munoz (formerly Darren Moore)
After achieving promotion via the League One play-offs under Darren Moore, Sheffield Wednesday head into the new season with a new vision under Xisco Munoz. He achieved promotion with Watford in 2020-21 but it remains to be seen if getting rid of Moore was the right choice.
Cardiff City - 50/1 - Manager: Erol Bulut (formerly Sabri Lamouchi)
Cardiff narrowly avoided relegation to League One last time out and it looks like they will have another struggle ahead this term. Former Fenerbahce boss Erol Bulut has come in to try to turn their fortunes around but his squad needs improvement.
Queens Park Rangers - 50/1 - Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
QPR’s fall from top six to the bottom half last year was quite surprising but as soon as Michael Beale left things quickly unravelled. Gareth Ainsworth did just enough when he replaced Neil Critchley to keep them up but he will need investment to really improve the team for 2023-24.
Huddersfield Town - 50/1 - Manager: Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock led Huddersfield to a great escape last season and his agreement to stay on has hugely improved their chances of staying up again in 23-24.
Birmingham City - 50/1 - Manager: John Eustace
John Eustace guided Birmingham to their highest finish in six years in 2022-23 and the most important thing the club needs right now is consistency in the dugout.
Plymouth Argyle - 100/1 - Manager: Steven Schumacher
After winning the League One title with over 100 points, Plymouth are in very capable hands with Steven Schumacher and they could certainly surprise a few this term.
Rotherham United - 100/1 - Manager: Matt Taylor
After inheriting Rotherham’s squad from Paul Warne, Matt Taylor had a tough act to follow but managed to keep the Millers in the Championship and together they can build to consolidate their position.
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