New dugouts, a returning giant, a debutant.
Paris Saint-Germain start as holders for the second summer running, chasing a third straight Champions League. England sends five: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool. United are the returners, in the competition for the first time since 2023-24 under Michael Carrick, whose appointment was made permanent by the club in May. Liverpool arrive changed too. Arne Slot was sacked after a fifth-place finish and Andoni Iraola, confirmed by the club on a two-year deal, takes over. Real Madrid come in under Alvaro Arbeloa, appointed in January when Xabi Alonso left. The newest face is Como, into the league phase after finishing fourth in Serie A, their first European qualification of any kind. Who missed out: Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham from England, while in Italy the four places went to Inter, Napoli, Roma and Como, which leaves Juventus and Milan outside the league phase. Update, 7 Jul: this piece got the Real Madrid dugout wrong. The club confirmed Jose Mourinho as head coach in June, ending the spell under Alvaro Arbeloa, and it is Mourinho who leads them into this campaign.