The 2026/27 Premier League season is barely two games old, and already the race for the Premier League Manager of the Month August 2026 award has fans arguing in every corner of social media. Four managers. Four perfect (or near-perfect) starts. One trophy up for grabs. This is the kind of early-season drama that reminds you why football never sleeps.
The Premier League confirmed the shortlist this week: Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Xabi Alonso (Chelsea), Enzo Maresca (Manchester City), and Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City). Winners will be decided by a mix of fan voting and an expert panel, with the result expected on September 11, 2026. Until then, let’s break down why each man deserves to be talked about.
Mikel Arteta: The Standard-Bearer
Arsenal have not just won their opening two league fixtures, they have made it look effortless. Arteta’s side limited opponents to a single shot on target across both matches, a defensive masterclass that echoes his 2025-26 Manager of the Season pedigree. Add a statement 3-0 Community Shield thrashing of Manchester City into the mix, and Arteta walks into this vote as arguably the man to beat. His work with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka has turned Arsenal from perennial contenders into a side that looks genuinely built for a title charge.
Xabi Alonso: The Perfect Debut
Few managerial starts have been as electric as Xabi Alonso’s opening weeks at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea edged Fulham 3-2 before surviving a seven-goal thriller against Brighton, winning 4-3. Two wins, nine goals scored, and an entertaining brand of football already have Chelsea fans dreaming big. If early chemistry counts for anything, Alonso has to be considered a serious frontrunner.
Enzo Maresca: The Comeback King
Manchester City did not have it easy, but Maresca’s men found a way. A come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bournemouth was followed by a ruthless 4-1 demolition of Crystal Palace. Two wins from two, and a manager showing his side can grind out results even when the script does not go to plan.
Sergej Jakirovic: The Underdog Story
This is where things get interesting. Hull City, one of the league’s newer faces, have gone unbeaten to start the campaign, with goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis producing back-to-back clean sheets, including a heroic shutout against Manchester United despite facing 21 shots. Jakirovic’s nomination alongside three of the league’s traditional heavyweights is proof that August was a genuine leveler.
Who Should Win?
On pure spectacle, Alonso’s Chelsea debut is hard to ignore. On substance and long-term project building, Arteta’s Arsenal remain the gold standard. But do not sleep on Jakirovic. Guiding Hull City to an unbeaten start against Premier League opposition is the kind of story that captures hearts, not just headlines.
Whoever lifts the August 2026 Manager of the Month award, one thing is certain: this season has already delivered more drama in two matchdays than some campaigns manage in two months. Buckle up.
You can also check out our YouTube for more sport news @ShapHub
