Can football learn from Succession? - The Sports Agents

The News Agents

Friday, 9 January 2026 - 22 minutes

What does a strong succession plan look like? Before Darren Fletcher took over as Man United's interim manager he felt he needed Sir Alex Ferguson's blessing. But when everyone's still harping back to Ferguson, who left the club over 12 years ago, you know the succession plan has gone wrong.

Man City will be taking note, as their own legendary manager Pep Guardiola isn’t staying forever. While Chelsea have used their multi-club system to take Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg - primed and ready to play in that system but leaving Strasbourg distraught.

Mark catches up with football journalist Guillem Balague.

Plus we look back at the best bits of The Sports Agents this week, from the Ashes aftermath to Ruben Amorim getting sacked, and the weird and wonderful things managers are asked to do.

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