The Definitive List: The Top 10 Best Football Managers in the World

Being a football manager requires a diverse range of skills and an extensive understanding of the game. Managers must possess the ability to work closely with individual players, motivating and disciplining them as needed. Effective communication is crucial, ensuring that instructions are clear and concise, and they must also be able to anticipate and address the physical and psychological well-being of their team.

Tactical organization is of utmost importance, as managers need to devise game plans and make intelligent substitutions and tactical adjustments during matches. Off the field, they play a vital role in improving and developing their players, as well as identifying and recruiting new talent to enhance the team.

Earning the respect of the players is essential for successful leadership. A manager's competence is often measured by their ability to lead effectively. It requires a unique blend of being both an artist and a disciplinarian. The managers included in this list epitomize these characteristics and have successfully translated their knowledge and talent into remarkable achievements in the world of football.

10. Manuel Pellegrini

• Full name: Manuel Lúis Pellegrini Ripamonti
• Nationality: Chile
• Date of birth: September 16, 1953

Manuel Pellegrini's managerial career gained notoriety when he was sacked by Real Madrid in 2010 to make room for José Mourinho, despite his impressive achievement of amassing 96 points in the league that season. Nevertheless, Pellegrini's most notable accomplishments came during his tenures at Villarreal and Malaga.

At Villarreal, Pellegrini led the team to a remarkable 3rd place finish in La Liga in 2005. The following season, he guided them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. In 2008, Pellegrini achieved further success, taking Villarreal to a 2nd place finish in La Liga, displacing Barcelona from the top two positions.

After his departure from Real Madrid, Pellegrini took charge of Malaga and immediately made an impact by leading them to a 4th place finish in his first season. In 2013, he guided Malaga to the quarter-finals of the Champions League before his appointment as manager of Manchester City. During his time at City, Pellegrini clinched the Premier League title and won two domestic cups.

Following his departure from Manchester City in 2016, Pellegrini had a brief stint in China and a less successful year with West Ham. However, he returned to Spain, where he has historically performed exceptionally well. In 2020, Pellegrini took over at Real Betis and achieved a significant milestone by delivering the club's first trophy in 17 years, the 2022 Copa del Rey.

9. Mircea Lucescu

• Full name: Mircea Lucescu
• Nationality: Romania
• Date of birth: July 29, 1945

Mircea Lucescu, a highly versatile individual, is fluent in seven languages and served as the manager of Shakhtar Donetsk from 2004 to 2016. During his tenure, he led the Ukrainian team to victory in every domestic competition as well as the 2009 Europa League. Lucescu's leadership transformed Shakhtar into a formidable force in European football, highlighted by their impressive run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2011.

Throughout his career, Lucescu has amassed an impressive collection of titles, having won 13 league championships and 10 domestic cups during his managerial stints in Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. After leaving Shakhtar in 2016, he took charge of the Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg. He also had the opportunity to manage the Turkish national team before being appointed as the manager of Dynamo Kyiv in 2020.

8. Luciano Spalletti

• Full name: Luciano Spalletti
• Nationality: Italy
• Date of birth: March 7, 1959

Luciano Spalletti's journey to success has been a lengthy one, culminating in his recent managerial role at the highly successful Napoli. He embarked on his managerial career in 1993 at Empoli, a team in the Italian third tier. After five years of hard work, he achieved promotion and guided Empoli to the top-flight Serie A.

Spalletti's managerial prowess continued to shine when he took charge of Udinese, a club known for their mid-table status. Under his guidance, Udinese secured an impressive 4th place finish and a coveted spot in the UEFA Champions League.

In 2005, Spalletti was recruited by Roma, where he made significant contributions to the tactical side of the game. He popularized the 4-2-3-1 formation and introduced the "false-9" position, a concept later employed by renowned manager Pep Guardiola. These innovations resulted in improved performances for Roma, leading them to victory in the Coppa Italia on two occasions.

His success did not end there. Spalletti moved on to Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia, where he won two league titles and a domestic cup, solidifying his reputation as a successful manager both domestically and abroad.

These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication that Luciano Spalletti has put into his managerial career, ultimately earning him a place among the top managers in the football world.

After an earlier stint at Roma, Luciano Spalletti returned to the club in 2016 and orchestrated a remarkable transformation, propelling them from a mid-table position to a commendable 2nd place finish. His success caught the attention of Inter Milan, who recruited him as their manager. Under Spalletti's guidance, Inter Milan managed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League after a six-year absence.

In his most recent managerial role, Spalletti took charge of Napoli, where he achieved a historic milestone in 2023. With five games remaining in the season, he led Napoli to their first league title in 33 years, playing an exhilarating and attacking brand of football that garnered praise throughout Europe. Spalletti's tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players were key factors in Napoli's triumphant campaign.

7. Louis Van Gaal

• Full name: Aloysius Paulus Maria Van Gaal
• Nationality: Netherlands
• Date of birth: August 8, 1951

Louis Van Gaal, renowned for his direct style of football, is also known for being a strict disciplinarian. Often described as proud and arrogant, he combines a blend of artistic vision and authoritative leadership that has brought him remarkable success as a manager.

Van Gaal's managerial achievements include leading Ajax to victory in the 1995 UEFA Champions League, along with the 1992 UEFA Cup, three league titles, and one domestic cup. At Barcelona and Bayern Munich, he added three more league titles and one domestic cup to his illustrious resume.

In a remarkable feat, Van Gaal guided AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch league title in 2009, defying expectations. He then took charge of the much-criticized Dutch national team and led them to a third-place finish in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his ability to revive and motivate a team. Subsequently, he became the manager of Manchester United, where his tenure was not as successful as hoped, but still included an FA Cup triumph in 2016.

After a brief period of retirement, Van Gaal returned to the managerial scene by taking charge of the Netherlands national team once again in 2021. In the 2022 World Cup, they reached the quarter-finals but were defeated by eventual champions Argentina. Following the tournament, he resigned as the head coach of the national team.

6. Antonio Conte

• Full name: Antonio Conte
• Nationality: Italy
• Date of birth: July 31, 1969

Antonio Conte, a former Italian footballer, made a significant impact during his playing career primarily at Juventus, where he represented his country on 20 occasions. His relentless work-rate on the field is now reflected in his managerial style, as he demands utmost effort and commitment from the players under his guidance. Conte employs a 5-3-2 formation with wing-backs, selecting versatile players who can adapt to his preferred system.

In the 2011-2012 season, Conte led Juventus to the Serie A title in an extraordinary fashion, remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign. He continued his successful tenure at Juventus for three seasons, securing the Serie A title in each of them. Following his stint at Juventus, Conte took charge of Italy's national team for the Euro 2016 tournament. His team achieved a memorable victory over Spain but were narrowly defeated by Germany in the subsequent penalty shootout.

Conte's managerial journey continued at Chelsea, where he made an immediate impact by winning the Premier League title in his first season, setting a then-record of 30 league victories. He also guided Chelsea to an FA Cup triumph in 2018. In 2019, Conte embarked on a new challenge as the manager of Inter Milan. During his tenure, he led Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2021, ending Juventus' nine-year dominance in the competition, despite being led by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Following his time at Inter Milan, Conte had a two-year stint at Tottenham Hotspur, which concluded in 2023 after expressing frustration with the players and the club's management.

Antonio Conte's managerial career has been characterized by success, both domestically and internationally, as he has consistently demonstrated his tactical acumen and ability to elevate teams to new heights.

5. José Mourinho

• Full name: José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix
• Nationality: Portugal
• Date of birth: January 26, 1963

José Mourinho, a Portuguese coach, is renowned for his emphasis on well-organized defenses and the physical prowess of his teams. Before delving into coaching, Mourinho had a background as a physical education teacher, and he gained invaluable experience working under esteemed managers such as Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal.

Throughout his career, Mourinho has amassed an impressive collection of trophies. He secured eight league titles and four domestic cups while managing Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. Notably, he led Porto to victory in the 2003 UEFA Cup and the 2004 Champions League. With Inter Milan, Mourinho achieved Champions League glory in 2010. He also guided Manchester United to success in the 2017 Europa League.

After a mixed second spell at Chelsea, Mourinho took charge of Manchester United in 2016 and guided them to victory in the 2017 Europa League. However, due to poor league form, he was relieved of his duties in 2018. Mourinho then assumed the managerial role at Tottenham in 2019. Despite initial success, his tenure at Tottenham was marred by a similar downturn in league performance.

In 2021, Mourinho returned to Italy to manage Roma. In the following year, he led the team to triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League, adding another trophy to his illustrious career.

4. Diego Simeone

• Full name: Diego Pablo Simeone González
• Nationality: Argentina
• Date of birth: April 28, 1970

Diego Simeone is undoubtedly one of the most highly regarded emerging talents in the world of football management. Prior to his notable tenure as the manager of Atletico Madrid, he achieved success in his native Argentina, securing two league titles. Upon his arrival in Spain, Simeone revitalized an underperforming Atletico side, leading them to a commendable fifth-place finish in the league. Additionally, he guided the team to victory in the 2012 Europa League, showcasing his managerial prowess.

In his first full season at the helm, Simeone's team demonstrated their strength by convincingly defeating Chelsea in the European Super Cup and subsequently clinching the 2013 Spanish domestic cup. However, Simeone's most remarkable feat as Atletico Madrid manager came in 2014 when he guided the team to triumph in the Spanish league, outperforming both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Simeone's European success has been slightly hindered by narrow defeats to Real Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals. Nonetheless, he led Atletico to victory in both the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2018, showcasing his ability to achieve triumphs on the continental stage. Simeone replicated his most significant achievement by securing the Spanish league title once again in 2021, further solidifying his status as a top-tier manager.

3. Jürgen Klopp

• Full name: Jürgen Norbert Klopp
• Nationality: Germany
• Date of birth: 16 June 1967

Jürgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, made a significant impact early in his career by transforming the fortunes of Borussia Dortmund. Under his guidance, Dortmund secured consecutive league titles in 2011 and 2012, along with the German Cup in 2012. Klopp's tenure marked a shift in German football as his Dortmund side challenged the undisputed dominance of Bayern Munich, reestablishing Dortmund as a formidable force in European football. Known for his quick style of counter-attacking football, Klopp led Dortmund to a remarkable 28-match unbeaten streak in 2012 and guided them to the Champions League final in 2013.

Following his success at Dortmund, Klopp took charge of Liverpool, where he led the club to three cup finals, including the 2018 Champions League final. Despite being defeated in each, Klopp's resilience paid off as he won the 2019 Champions League final, kickstarting a remarkable run of success. Subsequently, he guided Liverpool to victory in the UEFA Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and the highly coveted 2020 Premier League title, ending the club's 30-year wait for a league triumph. Klopp's Liverpool side further showcased their dominance by winning both of England's domestic cups in 2022.

2. Pep Guardiola

• Full name: Josep Guardiola Sala
• Nationality: Spain
• Date of birth: January 18, 1971

Josep Guardiola, renowned for his distinguished career as a defensive midfielder for Barcelona, transitioned into a managerial role by taking charge of the club's B team in 2007. Within a year, he was promoted to manage the first team. Implementing drastic and bold changes to their footballing strategy, Guardiola led Barcelona to a historic treble in his debut season as manager. Over the course of four seasons, he went on to claim three La Liga titles, two domestic cups, three Super cups, two Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups, and two World Club Cups, accumulating a remarkable total of 14 trophies.

In 2013, Guardiola took the helm at Bayern Munich. In his first season, he secured the domestic double, repeating the feat in 2016. However, despite his overall success, he was unable to guide Bayern Munich to a Champions League final during his three-year tenure. Nonetheless, he added seven more trophies to his collection during his time with the club.

In 2016, Guardiola embarked on a new challenge, becoming the manager of Manchester City, a club renowned for their significant financial investment. Following a trophyless first season, Guardiola led Manchester City to league triumph in a remarkable fashion, setting records for the most points, wins, and goals in Premier League history. The subsequent season saw Guardiola become the first manager to achieve a domestic treble, winning the league title, domestic cup, and league cup.

Under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have exerted their dominance in English football, securing an impressive five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Super Cups (Community Shield). In a momentous achievement, Guardiola led City to their third Champions League triumph in 2023, overcoming Inter Milan in the final. Guardiola's teams are widely recognized for their ability to maintain possession, exhibit relentless pressing, and showcase sublime creativity.

1. Carlo Ancelotti

• Full name: Carlo Ancelotti
• Nationality: Italy
• Date of birth: June 10, 1959

Carlo Ancelotti's journey to becoming one of the most successful managers in football began as an assistant to the legendary Italian manager Arrigo Sacchi. This invaluable experience set the stage for a career filled with trophy successes. Ancelotti etched his name in history when he won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2014, becoming the only currently active manager to have won the tournament three times. He further solidified his legacy by securing a fourth Champions League title with Real Madrid in 2022, having previously won it twice with Milan in 2003 and 2007.

Ancelotti's illustrious managerial career boasts league triumphs in Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain. He achieved league titles with Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid respectively, making him the only manager to have conquered all of Europe's top five leagues. Additionally, Ancelotti has claimed domestic cups with Milan, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. In a surprising move, he took over at English club Everton in 2020, where he improved their form before eventually returning to Real Madrid, winning the league and Champions League in his first season back.

Ancelotti's management style is characterized by versatility and adaptability. He crafts formations that best suit the attributes of his players, maximizing their potential on the field. With an impressive tally of 26 trophies to his name, Ancelotti stands as one of the most decorated managers in the footballing world. His ability to consistently achieve success across multiple leagues and his knack for adapting to different environments validate his status as one of the most accomplished managers on this list.