Liverpool and Tottenham told they should have appointed their managers as 'assistants'
Andoni Iraola at Liverpool and Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur would have been more suited to initial roles as assistants.
That is the opinion of experienced former Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Michael Carrick at Manchester United, too, was part of a wave of Premier League sides employing young managers this summer.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is just 44 - the same age as Iraola - while De Zerbi is 47 and Carrick is 45.
The success of Mikel Arteta has certainly shown that age is not everything, however, with the Spaniard having been just 37 when he took over Arsenal, becoming a Premier League champion at 44.
It remains to be seen whether his age mates will be as successful in their new roles, but the faith is certainly there.
'Man United need an experienced figure'
It has been a mixed bag for the so-called 'big six's' Premier League managers this season so far.
Enzo Maresca, 46, and Iraola have started well, with Alonso having struggled more in recent weeks. For De Zerbi and Carrick, the international break could not have come quicker.
"Seriously, Manchester United need an experienced figure. People always spoke about [Carlo] Ancelotti. Somebody like that coming in and putting things right," King told Football Insider.
"The small clubs, Brentford. Thomas Frank went to Tottenham from there. The Bournemouth manager, Iraola, who went to Liverpool.
"The Tottenham manager now, De Zerbi. They've all come from small clubs. Maybe the clubs should have appointed them in the capacity of being assistants or learning what the clubs are about.
"Because as good a job as they've done at the smaller clubs, they can't seem to get it together at the bigger ones."
Premier League cycle to continue
While the likes of Man United and Chelsea were previously focused on appointing heavyweight managers like Jose Mourinho and Ancelotti, the times have changed.
Now, the aim is to find young managers already capable of coaching at the top level of today's game.
If their limited experience includes having managed in the Premier League - all the better. The likes of Fabian Hurzeler, 33, at Brighton are already being earmarked for future interest in that respect.
Success will dictate if the trend continues in the coming years, but Arteta has certainly proved the value behind keeping faith.