Six key changes ahead of the new season (2024)

by

Sam Carney

Euro 2024 may be in full swing, with the Copa America also starting this week, but the domestic season is never far from our thoughts. At 09:00 BST, we'll discover who the Reds face on the opening weekend in August and the final day in May, the derby dates, our festive-period opponents and more.

Ahead of the fixtures being released, here are six new things to look out for next term...

INTRODUCING SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDES

We've become used to seeing the semi-automated offside technology deployed in the Champions League and at major tournaments, but now it's coming to England's top flight. In April, it was announced that the Premier League's clubs had approved the introduction of the system, which could reportedly cut VAR offside checks by 31 seconds. In a statement, the Premier League said the state-of-the-art technology "will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking."

However, it won't be in place for the start of the campaign, as the current plan is to bring it in this autumn, following one of the international breaks.

FURTHER VAR CHANGES

Offside isn't the only area in which the Premier League will tweak its VAR system, which is now entering its sixth season of usage having been introduced in 2019.

A statement released earlier in June promised improvement in six key areas, starting with maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention and reducing delays to the game. Communication with fans regarding decisions will also be enhanced, with in-stadium announcements from referees, more big-screen replays and expanded communications campaigns all pledged.

More training will be given to officials while the Premier League and PGMOL has said it will keep lobbying IFAB to allow greater flexibility in the Laws of the Game to allow live video and audio broadcast during VAR reviews.

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NEW MANAGERS GALORE

Four clubs have already announced a new coach for the upcoming term, with Liverpool's change in the dugout being the most high profile. Jurgen Klopp has left Anfield after nine years at the helm, with the German being replaced by former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot. The Dutchman faced compatriot Erik ten Hag four times when they were Eredivisie adversaries, with each manager winning twice.

Mauricio Pochettino departed Chelsea in May and was succeeded by Championship-winning manager Enzo Maresca, leaving a vacancy at Leicester City that has still to be filled.

David Moyes' four-and-a-half spell at West Ham has come to an end, as the Londoners have appointed former Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui, while 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler has become the Premier League's youngest-ever manager, at Brighton. The German, who recently guided St Pauli back to the Bundesliga, replaces Roberto De Zerbi.

TAKING ON THE TRACTOR BOYSIt's been 22 years since Ipswich Town last graced the top flight, but the Suffolk side are back this year after a remarkable couple of seasons under former Reds assistant Kieran McKenna. Promotion from League One in 2023 was cause for celebration enough among fans of the south-east club, but an Ipswich side featuring United old boys Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams then took the Championship by storm, finishing six points clear of Leeds United to claim the second automatic spot.

They join Leicester and Southampton in the Premier League for 2024/25, with Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town all having gone straight back down to the second tier. The departure of the Blades means there are no Yorkshire clubs in the division for the first time since 2015/16.

Former United coach Kieran has led the Tractor Boys to the top flight against the odds.

TEAM NEWS ALTERATIONS

The Premier League has removed its team news embargo, which means that matchday XIs and substitutes can now be made public 75 minutes before each kick-off, rather than one hour. This brings the top flight in line with European competitions.

NO WINTER BREAK

The mid-season pause in action, which was brought in during the 2019/20 campaign, split a Premier League matchweek in two. This allowed each team to have at least a fortnight without a match. However, due to important changes regarding European competitions and the FA Cup, this will no longer happen. Instead, the campaign will start a little later than usual, on 17 August, allowing clubs to 'be better able to ensure that players get a consecutive three-week break in the summer.'

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