The only thing football fans love more than transfer rumours is debating their favourite and greatest players.
But while sitting around picking the best strikers of all time or arguing over who will win the next Ballon d'Or is easy, the role of a manager is harder to evaluate.
Should they be judged purely on trophy count? Their style of football? Their lasting impact on the beautiful game?
Whether it's proven winners like Carlo Ancelotti, innovators such as Pep Guardiola or magnetic personalities like Jurgen Klopp, we've done our best to rank the greatest football minds of the 21st century.
Ranking Factors
Trophies
Longevity
Style of play
Legacy
Influence
20 Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini as West Ham manager
Pellegrini won titles with Manchester City and achieved domestic dominance in Spain.
He reached the Champions League semi-finals multiple times and built teams known for balance and attacking structure. While not a tactical revolutionary, he is widely respected for stability and long-term competitiveness.
19 Didier Deschamps
didier-deschamps-france
Deschamps is a World Cup winner as both a player and manager, lifting the trophy with France in 2018. His teams are pragmatic and built for tournament football, prioritizing structure and discipline.
Though often criticised for not producing entertaining matches, his results speak for themselves.
18 Laurent Blanc
laurent-blanc-paris-saint-germain
Blanc was the key architect behind Bordeaux’s title-winning side and later managed PSG during the early years of their domestic dominance.
He promoted calm, possession-based football and a composed playing style. While his peak was impressive, his career lacked sustained longevity at the very top level.
17 Antonio Conte
antonio-conte-spurs
Conte revived Juventus with three consecutive Serie A titles and later transformed Chelsea by switching systems mid-season to win the Premier League.
His teams are defined by intensity, structure and tactical clarity, but this is difficult to sustain long-term and has often led to short, volatile managerial stints.
16 Rafa Benítez
rafael-benitez-tottenham-premier-league
Benítez won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and built a reputation as an elite tactician, especially in knockout competitions.
He has collected league titles and European trophies across multiple countries, but his rigid football and difficult approach to man-management holds him back from further success.
15 Sven-Göran Eriksson
sven-goran-eriksson-england-world-cup
Eriksson enjoyed major success in the early 2000s with Lazio, including a Serie A title, and later became a prominent international tournament manager.
He was one of the first truly global modern coaches, working across leagues and national teams, and while his time with England was ultimately unsuccessful, he is one of the most memorable faces of modern football management.
14 Roberto Mancini
roberto-mancini-man-city-premier-league-trophy
Mancini built Manchester City’s first modern title-winning side and later led Italy to an unexpected Euro 2020 triumph.
He is tactically flexible and his success at both club and international places him as one of the greats.
13 Vicente del Bosque
vicente-del-bosque-spain-manager
Del Bosque oversaw Spain’s golden era, winning both the World Cup and European Championship, while also securing Champions League success with Real Madrid.
He excelled at managing generational talent and balancing egos within star-studded squads, and is perhaps underrated due to his understated nature in front of the cameras.
12 Thomas Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel during the press conference
Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea and is regarded as one of the elite tacticians of the modern era.
His teams are structurally intelligent and defensively strong, and he has enjoyed success at several of Europe's biggest clubs.
A World Cup success with England would make him one of the most decorated managers of the modern era.
11 Diego Simeone
diego-simeone-atletico-madrid
Simeone transformed Atlético Madrid into a European powerhouse capable of consistently challenging wealthier rivals.
His teams embody defensive resilience, intensity and collective sacrifice. His long-term commitment and sustained success at one club make his managerial tenure truly exceptional in the modern game.