For ages, running a football club was basically a gig for old-timers—guys with more grey hair than patience and enough sideline meltdowns to fill a highlight reel. That’s changed, big time.
Now you’ve got a whole new crew of young brains totally flipping the script: tactical wizards, emotional IQ off the charts, and not remotely scared to roll the dice.
Look around—Arsenal, Bayern, Brighton, Barca… these fresh faces are rewriting what “boss” means.
So, here’s my pick for the 10 best young managers lighting it up in 2025-26. Let’s get into it.
10. Will Still (32, Southampton)
Honestly, this guy went from Football Manager nerd to running a Premier League team. Wild. His 17-game unbeaten run at Reims made him a cult hero, and now he’s trying to drag Southampton back up. Players love him because he actually gets it—young, relatable, switches tactics on the fly. He’s basically the coach you wish you had at Sunday League.
9. Thiago Motta (42, Unemployed)
Motta’s a wild card—super strict with his tactics, but bold as hell. He rebuilt his name at Spezia, then dragged Bologna into the Champions League for, what, the first time in forever? The Juventus gig flopped, sure, but top clubs still want him. High risk, high reward—the guy’s got guts.
8. Rúben Amorim (40, Manchester United)
Manchester literally paid €10 mil to break him out of his contract, he deserved that pay . At sporting he won two league titles and a bunch of kids who now play play at top levels .
At United he was been pressure to change pattern , but Amorim’s got a blueprint and he’s stubborn enough to stick to it. Rebuilding? That’s his thing
7. Andoni Iraola (42, Bournemouth)
This dude loves being the underdog. Upset kings in Spain, smashed records at Bournemouth. Gave the club their best-ever Premier League run and even ended Man City’s insane unbeaten streak. He’s not gonna be at Bournemouth forever, let’s be real—someone big will snatch him.
6. Cesc Fàbregas (39, Como 1907)
Cesc is just smooth, man. Calm, brainy, never rattled—just like when he was bossing midfields. He’s brought life to Como, a team most people forgot existed, and turned them into something special. He’s not buying superstars, he’s making them. Watch out—this guy’s going places.
5. Fabian Hürzeler (32, Brighton)
Youngest permanent manager ever in the Prem. Took St. Pauli up, now has Brighton playing like they’ve got no business doing what they’re doing. Super chill on the outside, but ruthless with the details. Bet on him sticking around at the top for a while.
4. Julian Nagelsmann (38, Germany)
He’s been a wonderkid since day one—Hoffenheim, Leipzig, Bayern, now Germany at Euro 2028. Takes the stats stuff seriously but still connects with players. He’s already stacked a crazy resume and, honestly, might just be getting started.
3. Vincent Kompany (39, Bayern Munich)
Captain fantastic turned genius coach. What he did at Burnley—101 points, are you kidding?—and then bounced straight back after a relegation. Bayern took a chance, and boom, he delivered. Big ideas, no fear. You just know he’s got more up his sleeve.
2.Xabi Alonso (43 , Real Madrid )
Xabi Alonso embodies the new standard of coaching brilliance. His tenure at Bayer Leverkusen produced history: a Bundesliga title, a domestic double, and an unbeaten league campaign that captured imaginations across Europe.
That success made him the natural successor at Real Madrid, where his poise, intelligence, and relentless standards now guide the most demanding club in world football.
At 43, he is already viewed not as a rising star but as a benchmark, the manager against whom a generation will be measured. The question is, will he become one of the greatest Spanish football managers of all time? Only time will tell.
1. Mikel Arteta (42, Arsenal)
The blueprint, the gold standard—whatever you want to call him. Pep’s old sidekick now running the show at Arsenal, and doing it with serious style. Brought discipline, identity, and turned them into real contenders. Don’t let the haters fool you: the trophy count is just getting started.
