The world of football has been blessed with legendary managers who’ve shaped the sport with their tactics, vision, and leadership. The best football coaches don’t just win trophies — they build dynasties, inspire generations, and leave a lasting legacy.
Top 20 Best Football Coaches in the World
Coaching in football is more than just tactics—it’s about leadership, vision, and inspiring greatness. The top 20 best football coaches in the world have consistently demonstrated their ability to build winning teams, adapt to evolving styles of play, and leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland)
- Clubs Managed: Aberdeen, Manchester United
- Trophies: 38 major trophies with Manchester United, including 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League titles
- Why He’s the Best: Ferguson’s unparalleled ability to rebuild and adapt his teams over decades showcased his exceptional leadership and tactical acumen. His tenure at Manchester United from 1986 to 2013 was marked by consistent success, including a historic treble in the 1998–99 season.
2. Pep Guardiola (Spain)
- Clubs Managed: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City
- Trophies: 14 titles with Barcelona, including 3 La Liga and 2 UEFA Champions League titles; 7 titles with Bayern Munich, including 3 Bundesliga titles; and 14 titles with Manchester City, including 6 Premier League titles
- Why He’s the Best: Guardiola is celebrated for his innovative approach to football, emphasizing possession-based play and tactical flexibility. His influence on modern football tactics is profound, inspiring a generation of coaches and players.
3. Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)
- Clubs Managed: AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
- Trophies: 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2 with AC Milan, 2 with Real Madrid); league titles in Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain
- Why He’s the Best: Ancelotti stands out for his calm demeanor and adaptability, having achieved success across Europe’s top leagues. He is the only manager to have won the UEFA Champions League four times.
4. José Mourinho (Portugal)
- Clubs Managed: Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Roma
- Trophies: 2 UEFA Champions League titles (with Porto and Inter Milan); league titles in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain
- Why He’s the Best: Known as “The Special One,” Mourinho has a reputation for delivering results. His teams are characterized by their defensive solidity and strategic discipline.
5. Jürgen Klopp (Germany)
- Clubs Managed: Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool
- Trophies: 2 Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund; Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles with Liverpool
- Why He’s the Best: Klopp is renowned for his high-energy “gegenpressing” style and charismatic leadership. He led Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years and a UEFA Champions League victory.
6. Zinedine Zidane (France)
- Clubs Managed: Real Madrid
- Trophies: 3 consecutive UEFA Champions League titles; La Liga title
- Why He’s the Best: Transitioning seamlessly from a stellar playing career, Zidane made an immediate impact as Real Madrid’s manager, guiding the team to unprecedented European success.
7. Arrigo Sacchi (Italy)
- Clubs Managed: AC Milan, Italy National Team
- Trophies: 2 European Cups with AC Milan; Serie A title
- Why He’s the Best: Sacchi revolutionized football with his emphasis on collective play and tactical organization, laying the groundwork for modern pressing and zonal marking systems.
8. Marcelo Bielsa (Argentina)
- Clubs Managed: Argentina National Team, Athletic Bilbao, Leeds United
- Trophies: Olympic Gold Medal with Argentina; led Leeds United to Premier League promotion
- Why He’s the Best: Bielsa is revered for his intense, attacking style and meticulous preparation. His influence extends beyond his own teams, inspiring coaches like Guardiola and Pochettino.
9. Vicente del Bosque (Spain)
- Clubs Managed: Real Madrid, Spain National Team
- Trophies: 2 UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid; FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship with Spain
- Why He’s the Best: Del Bosque achieved remarkable success with both club and country, leading Spain to a golden era of dominance and overseeing Real Madrid’s Galácticos era.
10. Rinus Michels (Netherlands)
- Clubs Managed: Ajax, Barcelona, Netherlands National Team
- Trophies: European Cup with Ajax; UEFA European Championship with the Netherlands
- Why He’s the Best: Known as the father of “Total Football,” Michels transformed the game with his fluid, positional play system, influencing generations of coaches and players.
These legends rank consistently in any discussion on the best manager in football history and are a permanent part of the conversation when discussing the top 10 best coaches in the world or the Top 10 Best coaches in football history.
11. Ottmar Hitzfeld (Germany)
- Clubs Managed: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Switzerland National Team
- Trophies: 2 UEFA Champions League titles (one each with Dortmund and Bayern), 7 Bundesliga titles
- Why He’s Great: Hitzfeld is one of the few managers to win the Champions League with two different clubs. Known for his disciplined, efficient style, he was revered in German football for decades.
12. Louis van Gaal (Netherlands)
- Clubs Managed: Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Netherlands National Team
- Trophies: UEFA Champions League with Ajax, league titles in Netherlands, Spain, and Germany
- Why He’s Great: A master tactician and developer of young talent, van Gaal’s influence spans generations. His bold tactics and structured systems laid the foundation for many modern approaches.
13. Fabio Capello (Italy)
- Clubs Managed: AC Milan, Real Madrid, AS Roma, Juventus, England National Team
- Trophies: 4 Serie A titles, 2 La Liga titles, UEFA Champions League with AC Milan
- Why He’s Great: Capello was known for his strict management style and defensive solidity, yet his teams were always highly competitive and trophy-winning.
14. Rafael Benítez (Spain)
- Clubs Managed: Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli
- Trophies: UEFA Champions League with Liverpool (2005), La Liga with Valencia
- Why He’s Great: Benítez is known for his tactical detail and knockout competition expertise, famously leading Liverpool to a historic comeback in the 2005 Champions League final.
15. Diego Simeone (Argentina)
- Clubs Managed: Atlético Madrid
- Trophies: 2 La Liga titles, UEFA Europa League (2), UEFA Super Cup (2)
- Why He’s Great: A master motivator and defensive genius, Simeone transformed Atlético Madrid into a European powerhouse through grit, discipline, and strong team culture.
16. Antonio Conte (Italy)
- Clubs Managed: Juventus, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Tottenham
- Trophies: 4 Serie A titles, 1 Premier League title, FA Cup
- Why He’s Great: Conte is a serial winner known for turning struggling sides into champions. His 3-5-2 system and high-intensity play changed the game for many clubs.
17. Marcello Lippi (Italy)
- Clubs Managed: Juventus, Italy National Team
- Trophies: UEFA Champions League (1996), 5 Serie A titles, 2006 FIFA World Cup
- Why He’s Great: Lippi’s tactical intelligence and team cohesion led Italy to World Cup glory and Juventus to domestic and continental success.
18. Arsène Wenger (France)
- Clubs Managed: Arsenal, AS Monaco
- Trophies: 3 Premier League titles, 7 FA Cups
- Why He’s Great: Known for revolutionizing English football, Wenger introduced dietary science, attacking football, and talent development, highlighted by Arsenal’s unbeaten “Invincibles” season.
19. Helenio Herrera (France/Argentina)
- Clubs Managed: Inter Milan, Barcelona
- Trophies: 2 European Cups, 3 Serie A titles
- Why He’s Great: The godfather of “catenaccio,” Herrera created a dynasty at Inter Milan and influenced generations with his defensive and counter-attacking strategies.
20. Ernst Happel (Austria)
- Clubs Managed: Feyenoord, Hamburg, Club Brugge, Netherlands National Team
- Trophies: 2 European Cups with Feyenoord and Hamburg
- Why He’s Great: Happel is one of the first truly global managers, winning league titles in four countries and leading the Netherlands to a World Cup final in 1978.
These coaches form the foundation of the top 20 best coach in football history, with influence across generations and continents.
Best Football Coaches Currently in Charge
Some of the best football coaches currently managing top clubs and national teams include:
- Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
- Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
- Arne Slot (Liverpool)
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
- Didier Deschamps (France NT)
Their recent performances put them high in the best football coaches in the world right now rankings, and they all widely recognized as the best football coaches right now.
Most Consistent Coaches in FIFA Awards
According to the recent World Best Coach FIFA ranking, consistent nominees include:
- Pep Guardiola
- Scaloni (Argentina NT – 2022 World Cup winner)
- Simone Inzaghi
- Carlo Ancelotti
Their tactical prowess and silverware solidify their positions among the best football coaches now.
Best Football Coaches of All Time vs. Now
Icons like Sir Alex Ferguson and Johan Cruyff laid the foundations of modern football, earning their place among the best football coaches of all time. Their tactical brilliance and long-term success made them legends.
Today, coaches like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Zinedine Zidane dominate the game with innovation, adaptability, and consistent results. They have proven that the best football coaches ever are not only from the past.
The debate isn’t about who’s better — it’s about how coaching continues to evolve across generations.
Conclusion: Legacy of the Best Football Coaches in History
Whether dominating club football or making history with national teams, the best football coaches in history leave lasting impacts on players, fans, and the sport itself. They’ve set the benchmark for excellence, creativity, and resilience — qualities that define the best football coaches of all time.
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