If football matches were old-fashioned battles, managers would be the generals, commanding their soldiers from a hilltop. In a team effort, individuals must pull together to achieve a common goal. It’s up to the manager to decide the best possible mix of qualities to help a group of talented players function as a team.
Name and Fame
If you’ve been following the Euros or the Champions League these past few years, you’ve probably heard of them. You’re also likely to see a few of them among the best Euro 2020 teams. Here are the last decade’s best football managers.
10. Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino doesn’t have an impressive collection of trophies like some in this list. Yet, he’s famous for his ability to lead teams to all-time best results. Outstanding examples include Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton in the EPL.
9. Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti’s resumé is impressive. He’s already managed Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. It means he’s led the top teams from the highest leagues. Top titles include three Champions League.
8. Jupp Heynckes
Heynckes career as a manager was a short-lived but accomplished one. During his three and half years ahead of Bayern Munich and Bayern Leverkusen, Heynckes went twice to the Champions League’s final and won the treble.
7. Massimiliano Allegri
Leading Juventus and AC Milan, Allegri won the Coppa Italia thrice. He also won the Italian prize for the best manager of the season (the Panchina d’Oro) four times.
6. Antonio Conte
Apart from leading Italy’s national team, Conte was ahead of Juventus, Sienna, Inter Milan and Chelsea. He’s also a Panchina d’Oro and Series A winner.
5. Diego Simeone
Simeone has been managing Atletico Madrid since 2011. No one has trained a European leading team for so long. Atletico Madrid was far from the top when Simeone took charge of it. He’s well-deserving of the top 5.
4. Jose Mourinho
The Portuguese manager is in the exclusive club of treble-winners. He was in charge of Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Inter Milan. Ahead of those teams, he won countless leagues.
3. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane made history as one of the greatest French players. Recently, he made history, leading Real Madrid to the Champions League victory thrice between 2016 and 2018.
2. Jurgen Klopp
Famous for his gegenpressing tactics, the former German player was in charge of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Recently, he’s led the Reds to the top of the Premier League, apart from holding several other prestigious titles.
1. Pep Guardiola
With six titles from important leagues and one Champions League, Guardiola is undoubtedly at the top of his game. He led Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
Conclusion
All managers mentioned above have in common the impressive ability to operate deep transformations wherever they work. Other top 10 lists may position this or that manager higher or lower than others. Still, those names are mandatory in any serious ranking. From Pochettino, who can take a team from limbo to the highlight, to Guardiola, who’s arguably put together the best football team ever in Barcelona, all of them are gifted in making gifted players work as one single winning machine.