Some of the greatest managers in football history sit at the top of the modern game, with up and coming coaches also beginning to challenge the established elite tacticians.
With the 2025-26 season entering crunch time, the top bosses in the world are chasing major honours to cement their legacies as the best in the world.
From Mikel Arteta to Arne Slot, We’ve ranked the world’s top 20 football managers right now based on the following criteria:
Ranking factors
- Trophies
- Recent success/team form
- Performance above expectations
- Lasting impact/legacy
|
20 Best Managers in World Football (2026) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Manager |
Team |
|
1 |
Pep Guardiola |
Manchester City |
|
2 |
Luis Enrique |
PSG |
|
3 |
Hansi Flick |
Barcelona |
|
4 |
Mikel Arteta |
Arsenal |
|
5 |
Antonio Conte |
Napoli |
|
6 |
Carlo Ancelotti |
Brazil |
|
7 |
Simone Inzaghi |
Al-Hilal |
|
8 |
Arne Slot |
Liverpool |
|
9 |
Diego Simeone |
Atletico Madrid |
|
10 |
Unai Emery |
Aston Villa |
|
11 |
Lionel Scaloni |
Argentina |
|
12 |
Vincent Kompany |
Bayern Munich |
|
13 |
Xabi Alonso |
None |
|
14 |
Thomas Tuchel |
England |
|
15 |
Julian Nagelsmann |
Germany |
|
16 |
Jose Mourinho |
Benfica |
|
17 |
Didier Deschamps |
France |
|
18 |
Gian Piero Gasperini |
AS Roma |
|
19 |
Luis de la Fuente |
Spain |
|
20 |
Cesc Fabregas |
Como |
Take a detailed look at the top 10 below…
10
Unai Emery
One of the greatest knockout managers of his generation, with multiple Europa League titles and a consistent record of outperforming expectations, now at Aston Villa.
Tactically meticulous and detail-driven, the only thing that stops him from rising higher up the list is his lack of success at the truly elite clubs.
9
Diego Simeone
When you think of Atletico Madrid you think of Simeone, repeatedly breaking up the Spanish duopoly through organisation, intensity and a simply elite mentality.
His ability to instil defensive discipline and a belief that connects from the fans right through his team has delivered domestic and European success.
|
Simeone’s career path |
Year |
|---|---|
|
Racing Club |
2006 |
|
Estudiantes |
2006-07 |
|
River Plate |
2007-08 |
|
San Lorenzo |
2009-10 |
|
Catania |
2011 |
|
Racing Club |
2011 |
|
Atletico Madrid |
2011-present |
8
Arne Slot
A progressive, front-foot coach who combines structured pressing with fluid attacking rotations.
He has done the unthinkable by succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool with an immediate Premier League title, but has struggled in the 2025/26 season.
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7
Simone Inzaghi
A tactically balanced manager who excels in cup competitions and European football, blending defensive organisation with dynamic wing-play.
His ability to get Inter competing with the riches of the Premier League and La Liga’s big two in the Champions League has earned huge respect.
6
Carlo Ancelotti
One of the most decorated managers in football history, with league titles across Europe and a record haul of Champions League trophies.
His calm authority and elite man-management are unmatched, and he could cement himself as possibly the greatest of all time if Brazil win the World Cup.
|
Ancelotti’s Champions League wins |
Season |
|---|---|
|
Juventus 0-0 Milan (3-2 on penalties) |
2002-03 |
|
Milan 2-1 Liverpool |
2006-07 |
|
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (aet) |
2013-14 |
|
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid |
2021-22 |
|
Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Real Madrid |
2023-24 |
5
Antonio Conte
A serial league winner whose structured systems deliver immediate competitiveness at the highest level.
His defensive organisation and intense fitness levels consistently turn strong squads into title contenders regardless of the country or league.
4
Mikel Arteta
Arteta has done what Emery couldn’t by transforming Arsenal into a serial title contender.
His long-term squad building and modern, tactically sophisticated style built on defensive solidity is unmatched, but he lacks the major honours to break into the top three.
3
Hansi Flick
Best known for Bayern’s dominant treble season, built on relentless pressing and vertical attacking football, Flick’s football is perhaps the most entertaining of any of the elite managers.
A second Champions League success, this time with Barcelona, would place him among the very best to ever do it.
2
Luis Enrique
A Champions League and treble-winning coach who blends tactical aggression with positional structure, accomplishing what no one else before him could by finally crowning PSG the kings of Europe.
His longevity and versatility across several elite jobs is only bettered by one man.
1
Pep Guardiola
The defining tactical mind of his era, with perhaps the biggest impact on modern set-ups and style of any manager ever.
Responsible for cementing Manchester City as the dominant force in English football over the last decade, no one can top Guardiola’s blend of attractive, possession based football and serial success in the trophy department.
