The demands of football management have never been higher. Top coaches today must cope with the demands of European competition, squad rotation, transfer schemes, and the ever-present expectations of club owners and supporters in addition to tactics and team selection. The 2024–25 season has been no exception, with managers all around the world garnering media attention for their triumphs, setbacks, and all points in between.
With teams that are well-trained and perform well, several coaches have dominated their leagues and won championships. Others have orchestrated lengthy runs in the Champions League, showcasing their tactical prowess against Europe’s top teams. There are also others who have turned around underperforming teams, surpassing expectations with little funding and gaining recognition for their ability to create something unique.
Based on their season-long results, this ranking examines the top 12 football coaches at the moment. Their impact on their teams, tactical influence, and capacity to produce outcomes when it counts most are all taken into account in addition to their trophy total. While some of the names on this list are well-known individuals who have held their position for many years, others are more recent arrivals who are having a significant influence on the world scene.
The demands of football management have never been higher. Top coaches in today’s game aren’t only in charge of tactics and team selection; they also have to cope with the demands of European competition, squad rotation, transfer plans, and the ongoing expectations of club owners and supporters. The 2024–25 season has been no exception, with managers all around the world garnering media attention for their triumphs, setbacks, and all points in between.
With teams that are well-trained and perform well, several coaches have dominated their leagues and won championships. Others have orchestrated lengthy runs in the Champions League, showcasing their tactical prowess against Europe’s top teams. There are also others who have turned around underperforming teams, surpassing expectations with little funding and gaining recognition for their ability to create something unique.
Based on their season-long results, this ranking examines the top 12 football coaches at the moment. Their impact on their teams, tactical influence, and capacity to produce outcomes when it counts most are all taken into account in addition to their trophy total. While some of the names on this list are well-known individuals who have held their position for many years, others are more recent arrivals who are having a significant influence on the world scene.
Football management has never been more demanding. In today’s game, top coaches aren’t just responsible for tactics and team selection—they’re also dealing with the pressures of European competition, squad rotation, transfer strategies, and the constant expectations from fans and club owners. The 2024–25 season has been no different, with managers across the world making headlines for their successes, struggles, and everything in between.
Some coaches have dominated their leagues, winning titles with well-drilled, high-performing squads. Others have masterminded deep Champions League runs, proving their tactical brilliance against the best teams in Europe. And then there are those who have transformed struggling clubs, overachieving with limited resources and earning respect for their ability to build something special.
This ranking looks at the 12 best football coaches right now based on their performances this season. We’re not just considering their trophy count, but also their impact on their teams, tactical influence, and ability to get results when it matters most. Some names on this list are household figures who have been at the top for years, while others are newer faces making a big impact on the global stage.
12. Pep Guardiola ( Manchester City)
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola’s leadership, has 47 points and shares this total with Newcastle United, placing them in an unusual fifth place in the Premier League.
Their run of successive UEFA Champions League qualifying, which they have maintained since the 2010–11 season, is in jeopardy due to their fragile position.
In addition to their domestic problems, City’s European season ended early when they were unable to go past the UEFA Champions League group stages. The team’s performance and strategic orientation under Guardiola’s leadership have come under increased criticism as a result of this early departure, which has been uncommon in recent years.
11. Diego Simeone, who plays for Real Madrid
Diego Simeone’s time at Atletico Madrid is still a testament to his ability to motivate and use strategy.
After scoring early in the first leg to cut the lead to 2-1, Atletico lost to Real Madrid in a contentious penalty shootout. Under Simeone’s leadership, Atletico is fighting for a top-four finish in La Liga and exhibiting tenacity and strategic discipline.
10. Nottingham Forest FC player Nuno Espírito Santo
During the 2024–25 Premier League season, Nottingham Forest has undergone a dramatic transition under Nuno Espírito Santo’s leadership. They are currently in third place in the league standings as of March 2025, which highlights their tremendous progress. The decisive 7-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on February 1, 2025, which was their biggest Premier League victory to date, was a high point of their season.
Under Espírito Santo’s leadership, Forest showed their competitive strength in domestic cup competitions by making it to the FA Cup quarterfinals. However, they were eliminated in the second round of the EFL Cup, ending their voyage sooner. Interestingly, Forest did not play in any European competitions this season because they were not eligible for either the Europa League or the UEFA Champions League the season before.
9. Arsenal FC’s Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is currently second in the Premier League, demonstrating a combination of youth development and tactical flexibility. In the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal has advanced to the Quater final, marking a significant return to Europe’s elite competition. Despite frontline injuries, Arteta has stood his ground in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
8. Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan, which is presently in first place in Serie A, is still a strong challenger under Simone Inzaghi. Inter has shown tenacity and tactical skill by making it to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
They have had a successful season in every tournament, as evidenced by their arrival to the Coppa Italia quarterfinals domestically.
7. SSC Napoli’s Antonio Conte
With an outstanding victory rate, Antonio Conte has turned Napoli into a powerful force in Serie A.
Conte has benefited from his focus on domestic competitions, even though European football isn’t playing this season. Napoli has demonstrated their will to win domestic hardware by making it to the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
6. Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso
Competitive performances and tactical inventiveness have been hallmarks of Xabi Alonso’s time at Bayer Leverkusen.
The squad is still in a great league position and is now ranked third in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen’s progress to the Round of 16 in the Champions League is indicative of their competitiveness on the European scene. They have advanced to the DFB-Pokal semi-finals domestically, demonstrating a campaign that is well-rounded on all fronts.
5. Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany
Bayern leads the Bundesliga right now and is still a serious contender for the championship. They made it to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, demonstrating Kompany’s superior managerial skills.
Kompany’s strategy, which emphasises aggressive pressing and possession-based play, has showed promise despite early difficulties, and his Bayern team is still in the running for major awards this season.
4. Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique
PSG has been successfully led by Luis Enrique, who led them to the Champions League quarterfinals following a spirited victory over Liverpool that was determined by a penalty shootout. PSG is presently topping the table in Ligue 1, although AS Monaco is a close contender for the title.
They have made it to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France domestically, demonstrating their desire to win several trophies this year.
3. Liverpool FC’s Arne Slot
Since he was hired, Arne Slot has brought new life to Liverpool FC. With an incredible victory rate and offensive ability, the squad is presently leading the Premier League. Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain played a difficult Round of 16 match in the Champions League, ending with a 1-1 aggregate score.
PSG prevailed in the penalty shootout that settled the game. Slot was proud of his team’s performance and tenacity in spite of this defeat. Liverpool will also meet Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, although they will be missing star player Trent Alexander-Arnold because of an ankle injury he suffered against PSG.
2. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti
With Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is showcasing his management skills. With Barcelona tied on points but behind on goal differential, the squad is currently in second place in La Liga. Real Madrid has proven its tenacity and tactical adaptability by securing a quarterfinal position in the Champions League. As a result of their steady play in every competition, they have advanced to the Copa del Rey semi-finals domestically.
1. FC Barcelona player Hansi Flick
This season, FC Barcelona has been playing exceptionally well under Hansi Flick’s direction. They presently hold the top spot in La Liga, level with Real Madrid on points but ahead on goal differential, making it one of the most competitive title races in recent memory.
After defeating Benfica 3-1 in the Champions League, Barcelona moved to the quarterfinals and increased their winning streak to 17 games in all competitions.
Additionally, following an exciting 4–4 tie in the first leg, they advanced to the Copa del Rey semi-finals and will now play Atletico Madrid in the second leg.
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