Ranking football’s 20 greatest player‑managers

Tactical masters

Only a select few in football history have managed to thrive as both outstanding players and elite managers. Turning the intelligence and vision shown during a playing career into triumphs from the dugout is often seen as the sport’s highest benchmark. This list counts down 20 remarkable figures who reached the top both on the field and in the technical area.

20. Ronald Koeman

The free-scoring defender's playing career reached its peak with Barcelona's 1992 European Cup triumph and the Netherlands' Euro 1988 glory. Koeman's leadership qualities translated seamlessly into management; he guided Ajax and PSV to Eredivisie titles, delivered Valencia's 2008 Copa del Rey, and later managed Barcelona to Copa success, too.

18. Roberto Mancini

As a player, the attacking midfielder claimed Cup Winners' Cups with Sampdoria and Lazio and multiple Coppa Italia medals, while narrowly missing out on Serie A titles. As a manager, Mancini transformed Manchester City into Premier League champions in 2012, dominated Serie A with Inter Milan and crowned his career by leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory with stylish, attacking football.

17. Diego Simeone

The combative midfielder won major honours with Atlético Madrid and Lazio, including La Liga and Serie A titles. His transformation of Atleti as a coach has been remarkable, delivering two La Liga crowns, two Europa League trophies and reaching two Champions League finals with his distinctive defensive philosophy.

16. Frank Rijkaard

The versatile Dutchman won the Euro 1988 title and claimed European Cups with both Ajax and AC Milan, demonstrating tactical intelligence and versatility in multiple positions. His managerial peak came at Barcelona, where he ended their six-year trophy drought with two La Liga titles and the 2006 Champions League, laying foundations for the club's modern success.

15. Luis Aragonés

Aragonés is a bona fide Atlético Madrid legend, having won three La Liga titles as a free-scoring forward. As manager, he revolutionised Spanish football, transforming the national side's style from direct to possession-based tiki-taka. His tactical evolution culminated in Euro 2008 glory, ending Spain's 44-year major tournament drought and changing football forever.

14. Fabio Capello

The classy Italian midfielder claimed four Serie A titles with Juventus and Milan before embarking on a highly successful managerial career spanning decades. He won four Serie A titles with AC Milan (including one unbeaten), the 1994 Champions League and a La Liga title in each of his two Real Madrid spells.

13. Vicente del Bosque

During the late 1970s, Del Bosque won five consecutive La Liga titles and multiple Copa del Rey trophies. His managerial mastery, meanwhile, delivered Spain's first World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012, perfecting the tiki-taka philosophy. He also guided Real Madrid to two Champions League triumphs.

12. Kenny Dalglish

'King Kenny' won three European Cups and six English league titles on the way to becoming an Anfield legend. As player-manager, Dalglish delivered three more league titles and two FA Cups, seamlessly maintaining Liverpool's domestic dominance during the late 1980s. He also led Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995.

10. Jupp Heynckes

A prolific striker in his day, Heynckes won the Bundesliga four times with Borussia Mönchengladbach, finishing as the league's top scorer twice and winning the World Cup in 1974. His managerial brilliance reached its peak with Bayern Munich's 2013 treble and Real Madrid's 1998 Champions League triumph, demonstrating tactical flexibility across different eras.

9. Miguel Muñoz

The Real Madrid legend helped the club to win the first three European Cups as a player (1956-58), as well as four La Liga titles. However, his managerial legacy proved even greater, delivering nine consecutive La Liga titles between 1961 and 1969, and two more European Cups in 1960 and 1966, creating one of football's greatest dynasties. He also led Spain to the final of Euro 1984.

8. Mário Zagallo

Zagallo claimed back-to-back World Cups in 1958 and 1962, forming part of one of football's greatest national teams. As manager, he orchestrated Brazil's magnificent 1970 World Cup triumph with the help of Pelé, creating one of the most celebrated teams in football history. He also later guided Brazil to the 1994 World Cup final as coordinator, proving his longevity.

7. Luis Enrique

The midfielder achieved the remarkable feat of winning La Liga with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Olympic gold with Spain in 1992. His managerial success has arguably now eclipsed his playing career, having added a treble with Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 to the one he achieved with Barcelona a decade earlier.

6. Carlo Ancelotti

'Don Carlo' won two European Cups with AC Milan and Serie A titles with both Roma and Milan during his distinguished playing career. However, his managerial genius elevated him to another level. He has delivered five Champions League trophies across Milan and Real Madrid, plus league titles in Italy, England, Spain and Germany.

5. Didier Deschamps

The tenacious midfielder captained his country to World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 glory, also winning the Champions League with Marseille and multiple Serie A titles with Juventus. As manager, Deschamps delivered France's second World Cup in 2018 and the Nations League in 2021, while also taking Monaco to a Champions League final, winning Serie B with Juve and Ligue 1 with Marseille.

4. Zinedine Zidane

After inspiring his country to World Cup glory with two goals in the 1998 final, France's mercurial playmaker had established himself as one of the most talented and elegant attackers of his generation, winning the Ballon d'Or. Having also claimed the Euro 2000 title and the 2002 Champions League with Real Madrid, Zidane seamlessly transitioned to managing Los Blancos, delivering three consecutive Champions League triumphs between 2016 and 2018, as well as La Liga titles in 2017 and 2020.

3. Franz Beckenbauer

As a player, 'Der Kaiser' was one of football's greatest defenders and most influential stars. He revolutionised the sweeper role, captaining Germany to victories at the 1974 World Cup and Euro 1972, winning three consecutive European Cups with Bayern Munich from 1974 to 1976, and claiming two Ballon d'Or awards.

2. Pep Guardiola

As a deep-lying playmaker, Guardiola won six La Liga titles and the 1992 European Cup for Barcelona, serving as the on-field extension of Johan Cruyff's tactical philosophy. Guardiola's intelligent positioning and passing ability made him the perfect embodiment of Barcelona's possession-based style.

Revolutionary

Guardiola revolutionised modern football as Barcelona manager, delivering the historic 2009 treble and two Champions League titles. His tactical innovations continued at Bayern Munich and Manchester City, where he won another treble (2023) and sealed his legacy as the most influential coach of the modern era.

1. Johan Cruyff

The Dutch master won three Ballon d'Or awards and three European Cups with Ajax, as well as La Liga with Barcelona in 1974. Cruyff embodied Total Football, revolutionising the game through his intelligence, technique and tactical understanding. His playing style influenced generations of footballers and coaches, making him one of the most significant figures in the evolution of modern football.