The 2025/26 football season feels different. Coaching at the top level isn’t just about racking up trophies anymore—it’s about fresh ideas and adapting fast. Pep Guardiola keeps doing his thing at Manchester City, while Luis Enrique has brought new life to PSG.
Over in Spain, Xabi Alonso is shaking things up at Real Madrid, and Arne Slot’s quick impact at Liverpool has everyone talking. All over Europe, new names like Enzo Maresca and Cesc Fàbregas are showing that daring tactics and a modern approach can go toe-to-toe with the old guard.
This list of the Top 10 Best Coaches in the World for 2025/26 isn’t just about silverware. It’s about managers who set the standard, shape their teams, and actually change how the game looks at the highest level. These coaches aren’t just winning—they’re rewriting the playbook.
10.Oliver Glasner ( Crystal Palace)
Oliver Glasner has transformed Crystal Palace into one of the Premier League’s surprise success stories. Appointed in early 2024, the Austrian tactician guided the Eagles to their first-ever major trophy by winning the FA Cup in 2025 and secured European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
His quick impact, tactical discipline, and ability to bring out the best in players like Eze and Mateta have made Palace one of the most exciting teams in England.
9. Cesc Fàbregas (Como 1907)
Fàbregas is included as a coach with high potential rather than proven elite status. He’s still developing, working at a smaller club (Como) but being recognised for his coaching pathway.
he’s proved himself with Como by defeating most of the elite club in the Seria A like juventus.
8. Arne Slot (Liverpool FC)
Slot arrived at Liverpool in June 2024 and in his debut 2024-25 season delivered the Premier League title, guiding the club to their 20th English top-flight crown.
Slot has moved quickly from rising coach to elite status. At the start of 2025-26 he can fairly be described as among the world’s top managers — not just “emerging” any more, but genuinely competing at the highest level.
7. Antonio Conte ( Napoli)
While the days of Antonio Conte being viewed as one of the hottest managerial names may be gone, the Italian has re-established himself among the elite tacticians at Napoli after guiding them to a fourth Scudetto in 2024/25.
With the additions of Rasmus Højlund and Kevin De Bruyne, success this season now feels inevitable. Conte’s reputation took a slight hit following his ill-fated spell at Tottenham, although history suggests he performed admirably given the circumstances.
Prior to that, he led Inter Milan to the Serie A title, won the Premier League with Chelsea, and impressed as Italy’s head coach—all within the span of a decade. Now, his defence-first philosophy appears set to remain firmly rooted in his native country.
6. Unai Emery ( Aston Villa)
Comparing the state of the Villans now to when the former Arsenal boss replaced Steven Gerrard highlights just how remarkable the transformation has been.
Widely regarded as an elite tactician after winning multiple European trophies with Sevilla, Emery also came close to adding the Europa Conference League to his honours before Villa were dismantled by Olympiacos.
Despite that setback, he has elevated players such as John McGinn, Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa to new levels, and after a patchy start this season, he led the Villans to a club-record 11 consecutive wins, propelling them into a genuine title race.
5. Vicent Kompany (Bayern Munich)
Kompany has stepped into a major role at Bayern Munich and is seen as a future top-coach figure.
managing Big club like Bayern comes with big expectations and kompany is a young coach with strong ideas.
Challenges: Needs evidence of consistent success at the very top level; Bayern always expect titles.
4. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Guardiola remains a benchmark in coaching, though his 2024-25 season was below his usual standard: City finished third in the Premier League and failed to win a major trophy.
Under him In 2025-26, City are already undergoing transition and facing increased competition.
Strengths: Deep experience, championship pedigree, innovation.
3. Hansi Flick (FC Barcelona)
Flick’s first full season at Barcelona (2024-25) ended in a domestic treble – LaLiga, Copa del Rey, SuperCup.
He’s setting up for 2025-26 with a solid platform: club extended his contract until 2027.
Strengths: High-pressing, attractive football; confidence at a major club restored.
2. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal FC)
Arteta continues to build at Arsenal: early in the 2025-26 season Arsenal boast an excellent defensive record and are unbeaten in multiple competitions.
under him this season arsenal has proved Strengths: Clear identity, strong progression, good culture.
1. Luis Enrique (Paris Saint‑Germain)
Luis Enrique has arguably the strongest case of all going into 2025-26: he led PSG to a historic treble in 2024-25 (Ligue 1, Cup, Champions League) including a 5-0 win in the Champions League final.
He’s entered the new season with high expectations already making comments about racking up as many points as possible in the Champions League early in 2025-26.
Notable
11. Antonio Conte
12. Eddie Howe
