There are many experienced football managers you may have come across, such as Pep Guardiola or Sir Alex Ferguson. They have seen it all and achieved everything there is to achieve in football. However, in the modern game, there is an increasing number of managers who are incredibly young. They also aim to establish themselves as one of the elites. Some have endeavored to manage a big team by impressing in lower-tier competitions. While others have been fortunate enough to manage in one of the biggest leagues in the world like the EPL or La Liga. Who are they? Let Wintips admin reveal to you about 12 best young football managers below.
Top 12 best young football managers - Did you know?
1/ Will Still (31 years old)
Born in Belgium to English parents, Still initially flew under the radar until his appointment as the manager of Reims in October 2022. Prior to this, he served as the assistant manager since July 2021. What caught the media's attention was Still's relative youth, being only 30 years old at the time of his appointment. Moreover, the club faced fines of €25,000 (£21,000) for each game he managed, as he lacked a UEFA Pro License. However, in March 2023, Still began the relevant course, putting an end to the fines.
Taking the reins midway through the 2022/23 season, Still led Reims to an impressive 11th-placed finish. Notably, his team went unbeaten for 17 games, setting a new Ligue 1 record. In the subsequent 2023/24 campaign, Still embarked on his first full season in France's top flight, continuing to showcase his managerial prowess.
2/ Francesco Farioli (34 years old) - Best young football managers
Following his stint with Turkish side Alanyaspor, Farioli embarked on a managerial journey with OGC Nice ahead of the 2023/24 season. Similar to Still's unconventional path at Reims, Farioli's transition into management wasn't typical either. Despite lacking the traditional background, the Italian's academic pursuits in philosophy and sports science laid the foundation for his unconventional approach to football.
Farioli's foray into football began as a goalkeeper coach with Margine Coperta from 2009 to 2011. However, it was his appointment as the manager of OGC Nice that truly brought him into the spotlight. In a league predominantly dominated by Paris Saint-Germain, who have clinched seven of the last nine league titles, Farioli has managed to make a significant impact with Nice.
3/ Matthias Jaissle (35 years old) - Best young football managers
Red Bull Salzburg is not only a fantastic player development factory but also an incredibly efficient "coach-producing workshop." Renowned coaches who have worked or are currently working in top European leagues such as Roger Schmidt, Adi Hutter, Marco Rose, and Jesse Marsch have all honed their skills here. And their current coach, Matthias Jaissle, is also on the path to glory.
Having started his playing career with Hoffenheim, Jaissle transitioned into coaching as an assistant at Brondby before being recruited by Salzburg to lead their U18 team. Just three months after joining the club's secondary team, Liefering, the German coach was brought back to Salzburg and given full control.
4/ Julian Nagelsmann (36 years old)
As a contemporary of Tedesco, Nagelsmann was also hailed as a coaching prodigy within the German footballing sphere. He took the reins at Hoffenheim before he even turned 30 and orchestrated remarkable achievements, such as securing the club's maiden Champions League qualification. At the age of 32, he led RB Leipzig to their first-ever Champions League semi-final appearance in history. Following two impressive seasons with Leipzig, Bayern Munich handpicked him to succeed Hansi Flick.
In his debut season with Bayern, at the age of 35, Nagelsmann clinched the Bundesliga title. However, amidst the subsequent season, he was unexpectedly sacked and replaced by Thomas Tuchel—a decision perceived by many as unjust and erroneous on the part of Bayern's leadership.
5/ Vincent Kompany (37 years old)
Transitioning Burnley's playing style away from the entrenched approach instilled by former manager Sean Dyche presented a formidable challenge for his successor. The ex-Manchester City captain, who had previously showcased his managerial prowess at Anderlecht, was identified as the ideal candidate for the role. With high hopes pinned on his ability to guide the club back to the Premier League following their relegation to the Championship in the 2021/22 season.
Relegation inevitably triggers numerous adjustments within a football club to mitigate the financial setbacks of descending a division. Yet, if Burnley supporters harbored any apprehensions heading into their Championship campaign, they were swiftly alleviated. Under Kompany's stewardship, the club soared to the Championship title in impressive fashion, losing a mere three matches throughout the season and surpassing the 100-point milestone
6/ Domenico Tedesco (38 years old) - Best young football managers
Tedesco was once hailed as a coaching prodigy within the managerial fraternity. In 2017, he steered Schalke to a Bundesliga runner-up position at just over 31 years old. However, Tedesco's career subsequently encountered turbulence. He was dismissed by Schalke following a humiliating 0-7 defeat against Manchester City, and his tenure with Spartak Moscow was disrupted midway due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite clinching his first trophy with RB Leipzig, he was relieved of his duties after just a year. In February 2023, Tedesco was appointed as the head coach of the Belgium national team. His mission is to rejuvenate a squad reeling from disappointment in the 2022 World Cup, construct a new golden generation.
7/ Ruben Amorim (39 years old) - Best young football managers
After retiring in 2017, Amorim experienced a meteoric rise in his coaching career. Starting with Portuguese third-tier side Casa Pia, Amorim was quickly spotted by Braga and brought in to coach the reserve team before being appointed as the head coach following the dismissal of Ricardo Sa Pinto.
Immediately, Amorim showcased his exceptional abilities by leading Braga to victory in the Taça da Liga, defeating Porto in the final, before securing the team's first away win against Benfica in 65 years. Sporting also soon discovered Amorim's special ability, approaching him as soon as he had been in charge of Braga for 2 months. Before deciding to spend up to 10 million euros, the third highest amount in the club's history, to release his contract at the end of the season.
8/ Mikel Arteta (41 years old)
After serving as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City for three years, Arteta took over as manager of Arsenal in December 2019, marking the beginning of his managerial career in senior football. This move sparked a significant transformation for Arsenal, elevating them from mere contenders for a top-four finish to genuine contenders for the Premier League title.
In his debut season at the Emirates, Arteta guided Arsenal to victory in the FA Cup at the conclusion of the 2019/20 season. Subsequent finishes of eighth and fifth highlighted Arteta's efforts in reshaping the Gunners into a team capable of challenging the dominance of Manchester City in the Premier League. Their bid for the title came tantalizingly close in the 2022/23 season, with Arsenal finishing as runners-up.
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9/ Edin Terzic (41 years old) - Best young football managers
Terzic's journey in football began with over 100 appearances in the fourth tier of German football before transitioning into roles as a scout and assistant coach for Borussia Dortmund's youth team. He then expanded his experience by serving as Slaven Bilic's assistant manager for Croatia in 2012, accompanying him to Besiktas and later to West Ham United in the same capacity.
In 2018, Terzic returned to Borussia Dortmund, this time as an assistant to head coach Lucien Favre. His dedication and contributions earned him the role of interim manager in December 2020 following Favre's departure. Terzic made a significant impact during his interim tenure, boasting an impressive win percentage of 62.50% and guiding Dortmund to a third-place finish in the league standings.
10/ Andoni Iraola (41 years old) - Best young football managers
Before taking the helm at Bournemouth for the 2023/24 season, Iraola had already earned significant praise within managerial circles for his accomplishments at Rayo Vallecano. His tenure at Vallecano saw the club secure promotion to La Liga in 2021, marking a significant milestone. Moreover, in the subsequent 2022/23 campaign, Iraola steered Vallecano to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
A feat they had achieved only once before, four decades earlier. Upon his arrival at Bournemouth, Iraola faced a challenging start, with the team struggling to secure a league win in their initial matches. However, they eventually clinched their first victory of the season on October 28, 2023, in a hard-fought encounter against Burnley.
11/ Xabi Alonso (42 years old)
Since his playing days, Xabi has been touted by esteemed managers like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, and Rafa Benitez as a future coaching star. He possesses all the necessary qualities: extensive experience at the highest level of football, exceptional analytical thinking, and a relentless drive for continuous learning. And indeed, reality has unfolded just as predicted.
Xabi has opted for a rather conventional path - starting from coaching youth teams at Real Sociedad before moving to Germany to take charge of a struggling Bayer Leverkusen - instead of immediately jumping into a top-tier club. It's evident that he made the right choice. In his second full season with Leverkusen, the Spanish manager is achieving remarkable feats.
12/ Roberto de Zerbi (44 years old) - Best young football managers
De Zerbi may not be considered a young manager anymore, as he is 44 years old this year, older than Mikel Arteta (41) or Xavi (43). However, due to his relatively quiet start at lesser-known clubs, De Zerbi only truly gained widespread recognition in the past year or so, particularly for his remarkable achievements with Brighton.
Nonetheless, De Zerbi is a name worth mentioning on the list because he is seen as someone who is innovating in football. The way De Zerbi's Brighton deploys football from their own half is unparalleled. Even Pep Guardiola himself has acknowledged that Brighton is the best team in the world at doing so at the moment.
Conclude
In conclusion, the landscape of football management is constantly evolving, with a new generation of talented young managers emerging onto the scene. From innovative tactics to progressive leadership styles, these individuals are reshaping the way the game is played and managed. As they continue to hone their skills and gain experience, they are poised to become the future legends of football management. Keep an eye on these rising stars as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, shaping the beautiful game for years to come.
See also: Top 12 most underrated soccer players in the world in the 21st century
