20 Highest-Paid Football Managers in the World (2025)

Being a football manager is often a thankless job, filled with immense pressure and little security. Unless they choose to step down, most managers are eventually shown the door when results dip. However, those who reach the top level are handsomely rewarded for their efforts.

With staggering sums of money flowing through the game, elite players and managers continue to earn eye-watering salaries. The financial landscape has evolved dramatically, especially with Saudi Pro League clubs offering lucrative contracts to attract high-profile names like Laurent Blanc.

With that in mind, we've compiled a list of the 20 highest-paid managers in world football, spanning both international teams and club sides desperate for Champions League success. As the sport continues to evolve, these managers remain at the center of the financial boom.

20. Thomas Franck - Brentford

Yearly Wage: £4.6m

Appointed as Brentford’s head coach in 2018, Thomas Frank has not only guided the club to Premier League promotion in 2021 but has also firmly established them in the top flight. Even more impressively, he turned the Bees into European contenders in 2023, leading them to a ninth-place finish—just two points shy of Europa Conference League qualification.

Under his leadership, Brentford also reached the semi-finals of the 2023 League Cup, marking their best-ever run in the competition. While the 2023/24 season has presented more challenges, the Danish manager remains highly regarded and continues to enjoy strong support from the Brentford faithful.

19. Xabi Alonso – Bayer Leverkusen

Yearly Wage: £5.1m

Xabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024, orchestrating an extraordinary unbeaten run—the longest across Europe’s top leagues. Such dominance seemed almost unthinkable just a year prior.

Beloved by the club, players, and fans alike, Alonso has instilled a belief that inspires his team in crucial moments. Leverkusen became known for their dramatic late winners, a testament to the confidence and composure their manager exudes on the touchline. Despite strong interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich in 2024, Alonso turned down significantly higher salaries to remain committed to his project at Leverkusen.

18. Ange Postecoglou - Tottenham Hotspur

Yearly wage: £5.2m

Managing Tottenham is never an easy job—not due to a lack of resources, but because the club has long struggled to meet the lofty expectations of its supporters.

Ange Postecoglou, who arrived from Celtic in 2023, has quickly experienced this firsthand. However, the Australian remains steadfast in his ambition to elevate Spurs to the top of English football and finally deliver their first major trophy since 2008. A strong run in the FA Cup could provide the perfect opportunity to end their long wait for silverware in the coming weeks.

17. Simone Inzaghi – Inter Milan

Yearly wage: £5.6m

After years of frustration, Inter Milan have reclaimed their place at the pinnacle of Italian and European football—and much of the credit goes to Simone Inzaghi.

Since taking charge in 2021, the tactician has instilled his philosophy, guiding the Nerazzurri to multiple domestic cup triumphs and a Champions League final in 2023. His dynamic, fluid style of play also propelled Inter to the Serie A title in 2024, edging out bitter rivals AC Milan.

In recognition of his success, Inzaghi signed a one-year contract extension in July, committing to San Siro until 2026 and cementing his status as the highest-paid manager in Italy’s top flight.

16. Thomas Tuchel - England

Yearly wage: £6m

With Gareth Southgate stepping down as England manager, Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as his successor—and he’ll be handsomely rewarded for the role.

The Three Lions have just one major trophy in their history, but the German coach arrives with a proven track record of success. Having won multiple titles with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, Tuchel brings a winning mentality to the job.

His appointment immediately places him among the highest-paid managers in the world, but if he can lead England to their first major triumph since 1966, his salary will be seen as a bargain.

15. Arne Slot – Liverpool

Yearly Wage: £6.4m

Arne Slot took over as Liverpool manager in the summer of 2024, succeeding Jurgen Klopp, who cemented his place as one of the greatest bosses in the club’s history. Now, it’s up to Slot to build on that legacy at Anfield.

The Dutchman arrived from Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie title, bringing an exciting brand of football with him. He made an immediate impact on Merseyside, despite Liverpool opting for a low-key first transfer window under his leadership—only signing Federico Chiesa for £10 million.

Notably, Slot’s wages are far from extravagant, with the Dutchman earning less than half of Klopp’s basic salary from the previous season, meaning FSG can't point to managerial costs as a reason for the club’s limited spending.

14. Ruben Amorim - Manchester United

Yearly wage: £6.7m

After Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag, it took less than a week for Ruben Amorim to be named as his successor. The Portuguese coach signed a contract at Old Trafford until 2027, with an option to extend for an additional year.

Amorim now takes on one of the most demanding jobs in football, reportedly earning £6.5 million per season at the Theatre of Dreams. He arrives with an impressive track record, having restored Sporting Lisbon to the summit of Portuguese football by securing their first league title in 19 years.

13. Vincent Kompany – Bayern Munich

Yearly wage: £7.8m

Despite initially being a low-priority candidate for Bayern Munich’s managerial vacancy in the summer of 2024—behind a failed attempt to retain Thomas Tuchel, the very coach they were parting ways with—Vincent Kompany has been generously rewarded upon his arrival in Bavaria.

Just 18 days after Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, the Belgian was poached by the Bundesliga giants. Alongside his lucrative salary—reportedly around £2 million less than Tuchel earned in his lone season at Bayern—the club also paid a £10.2 million compensation fee to release Kompany from his contract with Burnley.

12. Laurent Blanc - Al Ittihad

Yearly wage: £8.3m

After an unsuccessful stint at Olympique Lyonnais, where he was dismissed in 2023, Laurent Blanc may not have anticipated receiving a lucrative offer from Al Ittihad to join the Saudi club. However, that's exactly what happened. In July, the French World Cup winner made the move to the Middle East, signing on for a salary of around £8.3 million.

This move has proven to be a successful one for the 58-year-old manager, who is now focused on leading his team to the title. Al Ittihad currently sit at the top of the league alongside Al-Hilal, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

11. Unai Emery - Aston Villa

Yearly wage: £8.3m

Aston Villa are living the dream right now. Under Unai Emery, the team surged from 17th to 7th in the table during his first season, securing European football for the club for the first time in 13 years. Following this achievement, the Spaniard was rewarded with a new five-year contract, earning £8 million per year in the Midlands.

With such a strong start to the current campaign, the club's hierarchy would likely be open to offering him even more. Villa are currently in the top four of the Premier League and leading their Champions League group, after a victory over Bayern Munich.

10. Carlo Ancelotti – Real Madrid

Yearly wage: £8.3m

One of the more surprising aspects of Carlo Ancelotti's salary is that it’s not as high as some of the other names on this list. Since his arrival at the Bernabeu in 2021, the Italian has excelled, leading Real Madrid to two Champions League titles and as many La Liga championships.

His achievements in Madrid earned him a contract extension, keeping him at the helm until 2026, despite rumors linking him to the Brazil national team. With Kylian Mbappé joining an already star-studded squad for the 2024/25 season, there's potential for another title in their trophy cabinet—though the season has had a rocky start after a heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona.

9. Jorge Jesus – Al Hilal

Yearly Wage: £8.6m

Jorge Jesus has had a varied managerial career, with his most successful period coming at Benfica, where he won three league titles and reached two Europa League finals. Now in charge of Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Jesus is enjoying a lucrative salary, similar to many players who make the move to the Middle East.

Having previously managed the club in 2018, his return has certainly turned heads. In his second spell, Jesus led Al Hilal to victory in the 2023 Saudi Super Cup, King Cup, and Saudi Pro League, surpassing the 100-goal mark for the season and setting a record 96 points—14 ahead of second-placed Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s been a truly remarkable impact.

8. Jose Mourinho – Fenerbahce

Yearly wage: £9.2m

Jose Mourinho has long transcended the typical role of a football manager. After leading Real Madrid to the 2011/12 La Liga title, dethroning Pep Guardiola's legendary Barcelona side, the Spanish edition of Rolling Stone dubbed him 'Rockstar of the Year'. Over a decade later, while his tactical dominance may have slightly diminished, his global appeal remains as strong as ever.

Just five months after being dismissed by Roma, Mourinho took over as head coach of Fenerbahce, where he was greeted with a hero's welcome from thousands of passionate fans. In an emotional moment, he proclaimed, "This shirt is my skin." The club’s board, clearly enamored with their new manager, showed their admiration by offering him a hefty salary.

7. Matthias Jaissle - Al Ahli

Yearly Wage: £9.6m

Regarded as one of Germany's brightest coaching prospects, Matthias Jaissle's career has taken an unexpected turn. After being dismissed by Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2023, the young coach embarked on a new journey with Al Ahli.

In his first season, Jaissle's leadership proved successful as he guided the newly promoted side to a third-place finish, securing qualification for the 2024/25 Asian Champions League. Now, with his team currently sitting fifth in the Saudi Pro League standings, Jaissle's challenge is to elevate them to the next level.

6. Luis Enrique – Paris Saint-Germain

Yearly Wage: £9.6m

Luis Enrique has remained at the pinnacle of professional football for over a decade. After leading Barcelona to a European treble, he took the reins at Paris Saint-Germain. In his first season in the French capital, Enrique secured Ligue 1, though his side suffered a disappointing exit from the Champions League semi-finals.

Looking ahead to the 2024/25 season, the former Real Madrid midfielder will be determined to make a greater impact in Europe. With Kylian Mbappé leaving for Real Madrid, PSG has shifted its focus to nurturing young talents rather than relying on a squad of established stars. While it's a bold move, Enrique has proven time and again that he can bring unity to any team.

5. David Moyes - Everton

Yearly wage: £12.5m

One of the most exciting stories of the Premier League season has come from Everton. After a difficult start to the campaign under Sean Dyche, the Merseyside club made the decision to hand the reins to a familiar face, David Moyes. And it’s safe to say the partnership has started off on the right foot.

Currently sitting 16th in the table, the Toffees have won three consecutive league games, pulling themselves clear of the relegation zone. This early turnaround goes some way to justifying the significant pay-off Moyes received after his appointment. However, it's still a long season ahead, and there’s plenty of work to do.

4. Stefano Pioli - Al Nassr

Yearly wage: £15.5m

Saudi Arabia has become a haven for top-tier coaches. Following Jaissle and Blanc, Stefano Pioli is the latest manager to make his mark in this ranking. After parting ways with AC Milan at the end of the 2023/24 season, the Italian quickly found his next challenge, signing with Al-Nassr.

At 59, Pioli now faces the daunting task of managing a star-studded squad that includes global football icons such as Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mane, and Jhon Duran. Currently sitting third in the league, his team will need a flawless second half of the season to have a shot at claiming the 2024/25 league title.

3. Mikel Arteta – Arsenal

Yearly wage: £15.6m*

Mikel Arteta has risen to become the third highest-paid manager in the world after signing a lucrative three-year contract with Arsenal. While his journey hasn’t always been smooth, the Spaniard has done a remarkable job at the Emirates, clearing out underperforming players and implementing an exciting style of football that has placed the Gunners back in contention for the Premier League title.

Arsenal came agonizingly close to ending their title drought in 2022/23 and again fell short on the final day of the 2024 season. Arteta's new deal guarantees him a base salary of £13m per year, with the potential to exceed £15m if he wins trophies. Given how close Arsenal has come recently, he’s in an excellent position to secure that bonus.

2. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City

Yearly wage: £20m

After a treble-winning season in 2023, it's no surprise that Guardiola is not only the highest-paid manager in England but also the world. With four consecutive league titles under his belt, it's clear why he's earning such a colossal salary—especially when he's widely regarded as the best manager in the world at the moment.

His journey with Manchester City began in 2016, and his contract is set to run until at least 2026, unless a significant dip in form leads to the club deciding to part ways with him in the near future.

1. Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid

Yearly wage: £25.9m

For years, Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid held the title of the highest-paid manager in the world by a considerable margin. The fiery Argentine led the club to two La Liga titles, overcoming Barcelona and Real Madrid on separate occasions, and took them to two Champions League finals—both heartbreaking losses to their city rivals, Real Madrid.

However, the 2022/23 season was less kind, marked by disappointing domestic performances and a disastrous group-stage exit from the Champions League. This sparked unrest among fans and within the boardroom, leading to speculation that Simeone's time at the helm might be coming to an end. But El Cholo wasn’t ready to bow out just yet.

Crucially, Simeone’s players never wavered in their belief in him, and soon, the atmosphere shifted. In November 2023, the former Argentina international signed a four-year contract extension, agreeing to a significant salary cut. This move only strengthened his legendary status, earning him even more respect from a fanbase that continues to adore El Cholo.