In football, managerial skill is not exclusively determined by age or experience. It frequently comes down to impact—how a coach affects the game, inspires players, and steps up to the challenge when facing top opposition. The bar has been set by managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, but a new generation of coaches is rising, each with their own tactical approach and the ability to influence football’s future.
Promising managers are emerging in the 2024–2025 season, as seen by their remarkable win rates, tenacity against elite teams, and ability to motivate their players to score goals at remarkable rates. These coaches are among the most fascinating talents in football management today because of their accomplishments and tactical skill, even though they may still be establishing their legacies.
Criteria for Selection
Based on a number of performance metrics, we have ranked the best up-and-coming coaches of today:
• Win Rate: Reliability in obtaining wins in various contests
Performance in games versus other elite teams and managers on the list is known as the head-to-head record.
• Performance Against Elite Clubs: Capacity to face and defeat football’s biggest clubs
• Goal Scoring Rate: The effectiveness of a team’s offence and scoring ability
With their technical prowess and good chances of winning a title at the end of the season, these coaches are creating waves in the football world in 2024.
10. Napoli’s Antonio Conte
Conte has led Napoli to the top of the league with an outstanding 80% victory rate since joining the team. Even though Napoli hasn’t played in Europe this season, he has made them a formidable force, with Lukaku skilfully leading the line.
9. Bayer Leverkusen player Xabi Alonso
Alonso’s club may not be as dominant this season, but they’re still in a solid position after making history last season when they won the title alongside Bayer Leverkusen. With 15 points, he is now third in the league and has 7 of 9 points in the Champions League.
8. Liverpool’s Arne Slot
Despite the low expectations, Arne Slot has surpassed them since joining Liverpool. He’s taken nine of nine points in the Champions League, has an incredible 90.9% victory record, and is currently in second place in the league, two points behind the leaders. He has an extremely excellent record.
7. The Monaco native Adi Hütter
With seven of nine points in the Champions League, including a victory over Barcelona in their prime, Hütter has had incredible success. In his home league, he is tied with PSG on points but only behind them by goal differential, placing him in second place.
6. Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi
With 17 points, Inzaghi’s club is now ranked second in their division and has 7 out of 9 points in the Champions division. He has proven his tactical prowess against some of Europe’s top teams with victories against Roma and draws with Manchester City.
5. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta
Despite already having to contend with formidable teams like Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool, Arteta has seven of nine points in the Champions League and is now ranked third in the Premier League. His development as a manager is demonstrated by the tenacity and flexibility of his team.
4. The Aston Villa’s Unai Emery
Unai Emery has guided his club to the top of their Champions League group and is currently ranked third in the Premier League, with just Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of him. Emery’s accomplishments demonstrate his extraordinary tactical skill while playing against major teams like City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, and others.
3. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti
With six of nine points in the Champions League, Ancelotti, the king of the league and master of comebacks, has his club ranked second in their league. A 5-2 comeback victory over Dortmund after a 2-0 deficit demonstrated Ancelotti’s tactical skill and the tenacity of his players.
2. Barcelona’s Hansi Flick.
Hansi Flick has been a revelation for Barcelona supporters. With scores like 5-0, 4-0, and 3-0, his side has been winning by significant margins lately. Flick’s team has routinely exceeded expectations by recording decisive wins over powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
1. Man City’s Pep Guardiola
With 23 points and his team leading the Premier League, Guardiola is arguably one of the best managers in football history and is poised to win the league again. He has led his team to seven out of nine points in the Champions League, despite important players suffering injuries.
