In the vibrant world of European football, identifying the top 30 best men’s club managers is a challenging yet fascinating task. These strategists not only lead their teams to success, but also shape the style of play, inspire and create lasting impressions. From seasoned legends like Pep Guardiola to young talents like Fabian Hürzeler, this list is a synthesis of talent, tactics and man-management. Based on in-depth analysis and opinions from industry experts, we explore the top 30 best men’s club managers today.

List Building Methods

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To create the list of the top 30 best men’s club managers , an initial group of around 50 coaches was narrowed down to 30. Football industry experts, including coaches, sporting directors, CEOs and chief scouts, provided their input to finalize the list. Each coach was evaluated on six key criteria, reflecting how professional clubs select their managers:

• Coaching Ability : Applying coaching principles to the game, physical preparation and in-game management.
• Style : Attractive gameplay, entertainment value and ability to actively control the game.
• People Management : The ability to motivate and maximize team performance.
• Communication : Ability to build trust with players, management and media.
• History/Achievement : Titles, promotion, avoiding relegation or excelling with limited resources.
• X Factor : Creativity, potential for great work, and resilience after failure.

Total points determine rankings, with emphasis placed on recent performance to ensure currency. Where points are tied, historical performance and the X-factor are used to decide. Only coaches with at least one full season in charge of the first team are considered, excluding those who have been out of work for more than a year or have coached a national team.

Top 30 Best Men’s Club Managers List

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Below is a detailed list of the top 30 best men’s club managers , from number 30 to number 1, with information on their style, achievements and notable statistics.

30. Dino Toppmöller (44, Eintracht Frankfurt)

Scores : Training 10/20, Style 12/20, People Management 12/20, Communication 11/20, Performance 2/10, X Factor 4/10. Total: 51/100 .

Dino Toppmöller, named after the legendary Dino Zoff, has had a unique journey to become one of the top 30 best men’s club managers . From F91 Dudelange in Luxembourg, he achieved the feat of reaching the Europa League group stage, before becoming assistant to Julian Nagelsmann. At Frankfurt, he led the team to third place in the Bundesliga, qualifying for the Champions League. His style is versatile, switching between a three- and four-man defence, emphasising high pressing and quick attacks.

Statistics : Frankfurt achieved xG 65.1 and xGA 48.0, difference +17.1, second in Bundesliga.

29. Nuno Espirito Santo (51, Nottingham Forest)

Score : 11/20, 10/20, 14/20, 12/20, 2/10, 3/10. Total: 52/100 .

Nuno revived his career at Forest, taking them into the top 7 of the Premier League and winning the Conference League. His 4–2–3–1 style emphasised organisation, low pressing and sharp transitions, making him one of the 30 best men’s club managers .

Stats : Forest lead the Premier League in clearances (249).

28. David Moyes (62, Everton)

Score : 12/20, 9/20, 14/20, 13/20, 3/10, 2/10. Total: 53/100 .

Moyes returned to Everton in the midst of a crisis, improving his points per game from 0.61 to 1.61. His simple style, focusing on solid defence and quick vertical passing, earned him a place in the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Stats : Everton conceded 6 goals in 9 away games.

27. Fabian Hürzeler (32, Brighton & Hove Albion)

Score : 11/20, 13/20, 12/20, 10/20, 2/10, 6/10. Total: 54/100 .

The youngest manager in the Premier League, Hürzeler leads eighth-placed Brighton with a high-pressing style of play. His quick adaptation has put him in the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Statistics : Brighton are second in distance covered (111.9 km/match).

26. Erik ten Hag (55, Bayer Leverkusen)

Score : 13/20, 12/20, 12/20, 7/20, 7/10, 4/10. Total: 55/100 .

From Ajax to Leverkusen, ten Hag inherited a young squad that emphasized ball possession but lacked communication. He still made it into the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Stats : United under Hag conceded xG 52.5 in 2024.

25. Marco Silva (48, Fulham)

Score : 12/20, 12/20, 14/20, 11/20, 2/10, 5/10. Total: 56/100 .

Silva impressed at Fulham with his flexible 4–3–3 style of play, and is in the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Stats : Fulham lead in crosses (158).

24. Ruben Amorim (40, Manchester United)

Score : 10/20, 12/20, 14/20, 12/20, 3/10, 5/10. Total: 56/100 .

Amorim struggled at United with the 3–4–3, but is still considered one of the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Statistics : United failed to score in 10/25 matches.

23. Brendan Rodgers (52, Celtic)

Score : 12/20, 12/20, 13/20, 13/20, 4/10, 3/10. Total: 57/100 .

Rodgers won the Scottish Premiership, emphasised the complex 4–3–3, and is in the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Statistics : Celtic conceded 26 goals.

22. Ange Postecoglou (59, unattached)

Score : 9/20, 11/20, 14/20, 15/20, 4/10, 4/10. Total: 57/100 .

Postecoglou brought an attacking style to Tottenham but was sacked. He is still in the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Statistics : Spurs 1.00 points/match.

21. Thiago Motta (42, unattached)

Score : 11/20, 12/20, 14/20, 14/20, 2/10, 5/10. Total: 58/100 .

Motta led Bologna into the Champions League but failed at Juventus, still in the top 30 best men’s club managers .

Statistics : Juventus 52 points in 29 matches.

20. Massimiliano Allegri (57, AC Milan)

Score : 14/20, 11/20, 13/20, 11/20, 6/10, 4/10. Total: 59/100 .

Allegri returns to Milan with a conservative style of play, aiming for the Champions League.

Statistics : Milan xGA 1.13/match.

19. Vincent Kompany (38, Bayern Munich)

Score : 11/20, 13/20, 14/20, 13/20, 3/10, 6/10. Total: 60/100 .

Kompany won the Bundesliga with Bayern, emphasizing pressing.

Statistics : Bayern leads in passing accuracy (90%).

18. Roberto De Zerbi (46, Marseille)

Score : 14/20, 14/20, 12/20, 10/20, 3/10, 7/10. Total: 60/100 .

De Zerbi leads Marseille second in Ligue 1 with ball possession.

Statistics : Marseille 63.2% ball possession.

17. Nam Thomas Frank (51, Tottenham Hotspur)

Score : 12/20, 12/20, 15/20, 14/20, 2/10, 6/10. Total: 61/100 .

Thomas Frank from Brentford to Tottenham, emphasising pressing and youth development.

Stats : Brentford lead in xG/shot (0.15).

16. Diego Simeone (55, Atlético Madrid)

Score : 15/20, 11/20, 14/20, 12/20, 6/10, 3/10. Total: 61/100 .

Simeone leads Atlético to third in LaLiga with counter-attacking play.

Stats : Atlético 17 clean sheet.

15. Eddie Howe (47, Newcastle United)

Score : 14/20, 13/20, 15/20, 13/20, 3/10, 5/10. Total: 63/100 .

Howe led Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup and Champions League.

Stats : Newcastle lead in “smart passes” (110).

14. Oliver Glasner (50, Crystal Palace)

Score : 14/20, 13/20, 14/20, 14/20, 4/10, 5/10. Total: 64/100 .

Glasner won the FA Cup with Palace, emphasising the 3–4–2–1.

Stats : Palace lead in blocks (1,728).

13. Andoni Iraola (43, AFC Bournemouth)

Score : 13/20, 13/20, 15/20, 14/20, 3/10, 7/10. Total: 65/100 .

Iraola led Bournemouth ninth with a high press.

Statistics : Bournemouth PPDA 9.1.

12. Enzo Maresca (45, Chelsea)

Score : 14/20, 14/20, 14/20, 13/20, 5/10, 7/10. Total: 67/100 .

Maresca won the Conference League and the Club World Cup.

Statistics : Chelsea used 39 players.

11. Unai Emery (53, Aston Villa)

Score : 14/20, 14/20, 15/20, 13/20, 6/10, 5/10. Total: 67/100 .

Emery leads Villa sixth with high pressing.

Statistics : Villa 17 goals from the bench.

10. Ernesto Valverde (61, Athletic Club)

Score : 15/20, 14/20, 17/20, 13/20, 6/10, 4/10. Total: 69/100 .

Valverde leads Athletic to fourth in LaLiga.

Statistics : Athletic conceded 29 goals.

9. Gian Piero Gasperini (67, AS Roma)

Score : 17/20, 14/20, 15/20, 14/20, 6/10, 5/10. Total: 71/100 .

Gasperini from Atalanta to Roma with high pressing.

Statistics : Atalanta 3.1 goals/match.

8. Simone Inzaghi (49, Al Hilal)

Score : 16/20, 14/20, 15/20, 14/20, 6/10, 7/10. Total: 72/100 .

Inzaghi from Inter to Al Hilal with a solid 3–5–2.

Statistics : Inter 5 clean sheet Champions League.

7. Antonio Conte (56, Naples)

Score : 16/20, 14/20, 15/20, 14/20, 7/10, 7/10. Total: 73/100 .

Conte won Serie A with Napoli.

Statistics : McTominay 12 goals for Napoli.

6. Mikel Arteta (43, Arsenal)

Score : 16/20, 16/20, 17/20, 15/20, 4/10, 7/10. Total: 75/100 .

Arteta leads Arsenal for second time in three consecutive seasons.

Statistics : Havertz leads Arsenal with 9 goals.

5. Hansi Flick (60, Barcelona)

Score : 16/20, 16/20, 16/20, 15/20, 7/10, 6/10. Total: 76/100 .

Flick won the domestic double with Barcelona.

Statistics : Barcelona 289 offsides.

4. Xabi Alonso (43, Real Madrid)

Score : 15/20, 16/20, 17/20, 16/20, 6/10, 7/10. Total: 77/100 .

Alonso from Leverkusen to Madrid with a flexible playing style.

Statistics : Leverkusen are unbeaten in 34 away games.

3. Pep Guardiola (54, Manchester City)

Score : 18/20, 16/20, 17/20, 17/20, 9/10, 7/10. Total: 84/100 .

Guardiola leads City to third despite struggles.

Statistics : City conceded 62 goals.

2. Arne Slot (46, Liverpool)

Score : 17/20, 18/20, 18/20, 19/20, 6/10, 7/10. Total: 85/100 .

Slot won the Premier League in his first season at Liverpool.

Stats : Liverpool 199 key passes.

1. Luis Enrique (55, Paris Saint-Germain)

Score : 17/20, 18/20, 18/20, 18/20, 7/10, 8/10. Total: 86/100 .

Luis Enrique led PSG to the Treble, including their first Champions League, confirming their top spot in the top 30 best men’s club managers . Possession-based play, high pressing and excellent leadership made for a historic season.

Statistics : PSG dominated with a 4–3–3 formation that turned into 3–2–5 when attacking.

Top 30 Best Men’s Club Managers Summary Table

RankingCoach NameTeamTotal Score1Luis EnriquePSG86/1002Arne SlotLiverpool85/1003Pep GuardiolaMan City84/1004Xabi AlonsoReal Madrid77/1005Hansi FlickBarcelona76/1006Mikel ArtetaArsenal75/1007Antonio ConteNaples73/1008Simone InzaghiAl Hilal72/1009Gian Piero GasperiniAS Roma71/10010Ernesto ValverdeAthletic Club69/10011Unai EmeryAston Villa67/10012Enzo MarescaChelsea67/10013Andoni IraolaBournemouth65/10014Oliver GlasnerCrystal Palace64/10015Eddie HoweNewcastle63/10016Diego SimeoneAtlético Madrid61/10017Thomas FrankTottenham61/10018Roberto De ZerbiMarseille60/10019Vincent KompanyBayern Munich60/10020Massimiliano AllegriAC Milan59/10021Thiago MottaUnattached58/10022Ange PostecoglouUnattached57/10023Brendan RodgersCeltic57/10024Ruben AmorimMan United56/10025Marco SilvaFulham56/10026Erik ten HagBayer Leverkusen55/10027Fabian HürzelerBrighton54/10028David MoyesEverton53/10029Nuno Espirito SantoNottingham Forest52/10030Dino ToppmöllerEintracht Frankfurt51/100

The list of the top 30 best men’s club managers reflects the diversity and talent of Europe’s top coaches. From Luis Enrique, who has enjoyed great success at PSG, to young talents like Hürzeler, they have not only achieved success but have shaped the future of football. With fierce competition, the list will continue to change, but for now, these are the best names.

FAQ

What is Top 30 Best Men’s Club Managers?

Ranking of the 30 best male club coaches in Europe.

What are the criteria for selecting coaches?

Based on their achievements, tactics, team form and influence.

Is this list updated annually?

Yes, the list is re-evaluated based on the latest season results.