You may have come across many experienced football managers, such as Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson. They have witnessed it all and accomplished everything possible in football. However, in today’s game, the number of incredibly young managers is increasing. They also aspire to establish themselves among the elite. Some have worked their way up to managing a top team by proving themselves in lower-tier competitions, while others have been fortunate enough to manage in top leagues such as the EPL or La Liga. Who are they? Let Wintips admin reveal to you about the 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 he was appointed manager of Reims in October 2022. Before this, he had served as the assistant manager since July 2021. What caught the media's attention was Still's relative youth—he was only 30 years old at the time of his appointment. Moreover, the club was fined €25,000 (£21,000) for each game he managed due to his lack of a UEFA Pro License. However, in March 2023, Still began his UEFA Pro License course, putting an end to the fines.
Taking charge midway through the 2022/23 season, Still guided Reims to an impressive 11th-place finish. Remarkably, his team remained unbeaten for 17 games, setting a new Ligue 1 record. In the following 2023/24 campaign, Still entered his first full season in France's top flight, further demonstrating his managerial expertise.
2. Francesco Farioli (34 years old) - One of the best young football managers
After his tenure at Turkish club Alanyaspor, Farioli took charge of OGC Nice ahead of the 2023/24 season. Like Still's unconventional path at Reims, Farioli's transition into management was also atypical. Despite lacking a traditional coaching background, the Italian's academic studies in philosophy and sports science provided the foundation for his unique approach to football.
Farioli's foray into football began as a goalkeeping coach with Margine Coperta from 2009 to 2011. However, it was his appointment as manager of OGC Nice that truly brought him into the spotlight. In a league 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) - One of the best young football managers
Red Bull Salzburg is not only an outstanding academy for player development but also an incredibly efficient "coach-producing workshop." Renowned coaches who have worked in top European leagues, such as Roger Schmidt, Adi Hütter, Marco Rose, and Jesse Marsch, have all honed their skills here. Their current coach, Matthias Jaissle, is also on the path to glory.
After beginning his playing career with Hoffenheim, Jaissle transitioned into coaching as an assistant at Brøndby before being recruited by Salzburg to lead their U18 team. Only three months after joining the club's reserve team, Liefering, the German coach was recalled to Salzburg and given full control.
4. Julian Nagelsmann (36 years old)
A contemporary of Tedesco, Nagelsmann was widely regarded as a coaching prodigy in German football. He took charge of Hoffenheim before turning 30 and led the club to its first-ever Champions League qualification. At 32, he guided RB Leipzig to their first-ever Champions League semi-final. After two impressive seasons with Leipzig, Bayern Munich selected him to succeed Hansi Flick.
At the age of 35, in his debut season with Bayern, Nagelsmann clinched the Bundesliga title. However, in the following season, he was unexpectedly sacked and replaced by Thomas Tuchel—a decision many perceived as unfair and questionable by Bayern's leadership.
5. Vincent Kompany (37 years old)
Shifting Burnley's playing style from the deeply ingrained approach of former manager Sean Dyche posed a formidable challenge for his successor. Former Manchester City captain, who had already demonstrated his managerial prowess at Anderlecht, was deemed the ideal candidate for the role. There were 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 prompts numerous adjustments within a football club to offset the financial setbacks of dropping down a division. However, if Burnley supporters had any apprehensions ahead of their Championship campaign, they were quickly dispelled. Under Kompany's leadership, the club dominated the Championship, losing just three matches all season and surpassing the 100-point mark.
6. Domenico Tedesco (38 years old) - One of the best young football managers
Tedesco was once regarded as a coaching prodigy in the managerial world. In 2017, he guided Schalke to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga at just 31 years old. However, Tedesco's career soon faced challenges. He was sacked by Schalke after a crushing 7-0 defeat to Manchester City, and his tenure at Spartak Moscow was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although he secured his first trophy with RB Leipzig, he was dismissed after just one year. In February 2023, Tedesco was appointed head coach of the Belgium national team. His mission is to rejuvenate a squad struggling after their disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign and build a new golden generation.
7. Ruben Amorim (39 years old) - One of the best young football managers
Since retiring in 2017, Amorim has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his coaching career. Starting with Portuguese third-tier side Casa Pia, Amorim was quickly noticed by Braga and brought in to coach their reserve team before being appointed head coach after Ricardo Sá Pinto's dismissal.
Amorim immediately 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 quickly recognized Amorim's unique talent and approached him just two months into his tenure at Braga. They ultimately decided to pay up to 10 million euros—the third-highest fee in the club's history—to buy out his contract at the end of the season.
8. Mikel Arteta (41 years old)
After spending three years as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, Arteta became Arsenal’s manager in December 2019, marking the start of his senior managerial career. This decision triggered a major transformation at Arsenal, turning them from top-four hopefuls into genuine Premier League title contenders.
In his debut season at the Emirates, Arteta guided Arsenal to an FA Cup triumph in the 2019/20 season. Finishing eighth and fifth in the following seasons underscored Arteta's determination to rebuild the Gunners into a side capable of challenging Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League. Arsenal came agonizingly close to winning the title in the 2022/23 season, ultimately finishing as runners-up.
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9. Edin Terzic (41 years old) - One of the best young football managers
Terzic's football journey began with over 100 appearances in the fourth tier of German football before moving into scouting and assistant coaching roles with Borussia Dortmund's youth team. He then broadened his coaching experience by working as Slaven Bilic's assistant for the Croatian national team in 2012, later following him to Besiktas and West Ham United in the same role.
In 2018, Terzić returned to Borussia Dortmund, this time as an assistant coach under Lucien Favre. His dedication and contributions earned him the position of interim manager in December 2020 after Favre's departure. Terzić had a significant impact during his interim tenure, achieving an impressive 62.5% win rate and leading Dortmund to a third-place finish in the Bundesliga.
10. Andoni Iraola (41 years old) - Among the best young football managers
Before taking charge of Bournemouth for the 2023/24 season, Iraola had already garnered significant recognition in managerial circles for his achievements with Rayo Vallecano. During his time at Vallecano, the club secured promotion to La Liga in 2021, marking a major milestone. Furthermore, in the 2022/23 season, Iraola guided Vallecano to the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
It was a feat they had achieved only once before, four decades earlier. Upon his arrival at Bournemouth, Iraola encountered a difficult start, with the team struggling to secure a league win in their initial matches. However, they eventually secured their first victory of the season on October 28, 2023, in a tightly contested match against Burnley.
11. Xabi Alonso (42 years old)
Since his playing days, Xabi has been touted by esteemed managers such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, and Rafa Benitez as a future coaching star. He possesses all the essential qualities: vast experience at the highest level of football, outstanding analytical skills, and an insatiable hunger for continuous learning. Indeed, events have played out exactly as anticipated.
Xabi has chosen a relatively conventional path—beginning with coaching youth teams at Real Sociedad before moving to Germany to take charge of a struggling Bayer Leverkusen—rather than immediately stepping into a top-tier club. It proved to be the right decision. Now in his second full season with Leverkusen, the Spanish manager continues to achieve remarkable feats.
12. Roberto de Zerbi (44 years old) - Among the best young football managers
De Zerbi may no longer be classified as a young manager, as he is now 44—older than Mikel Arteta (41) and Xavi (43). However, due to his relatively low-profile start at lesser-known clubs, De Zerbi has only gained widespread recognition in the past year or so, particularly for his remarkable achievements with Brighton.
Nonetheless, De Zerbi is a name worth mentioning because he is regarded as an innovator in football. The way De Zerbi's Brighton builds up play from its half is unparalleled. Even Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Brighton is currently the best team in the world in this aspect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the landscape of football management is constantly evolving, with a new generation of talented young managers emerging. From innovative tactics to progressive leadership styles, these individuals are transforming football management. As they continue to hone their skills and gain experience, they are poised to become legendary football managers. Keep an eye on these rising stars as they navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, shaping the beautiful game for years to come.
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