The role of a football manager has evolved into one of the most high-pressure jobs in global sport. With clubs and national teams demanding instant results, the men in the dugout are rewarded handsomely — sometimes even more than star players.
In 2025, elite managers are not only competing for trophies but also commanding record-breaking salaries across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. With Saudi Arabian clubs entering the market aggressively, the financial landscape has shifted dramatically.
Below, we rank the 20 highest-paid football managers in the world in 2025, counting base salary only (bonuses and performance incentives excluded).
20. Enzo Maresca — Chelsea (£4.2m)
The Italian tactician, once Pep Guardiola’s assistant, took over at Chelsea in 2024. Despite the pressure of managing a young squad in transition, Chelsea offered him £4.2m annually to steady the ship. For a manager at a top-six Premier League club, this figure is modest compared to his rivals.
19. Massimiliano Allegri — AC Milan (£4.3m)
Back at Milan after his Juventus era, Allegri earns £4.3m per season. Known for tactical discipline and defensive solidity, he remains one of Italy’s most respected coaches, though his salary reflects Serie A’s reduced financial power compared to England and Saudi Arabia.
18. Oliver Glasner — Crystal Palace (£4.6m)
After winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, Glasner joined Crystal Palace in 2023. Earning £4.6m a year, the Austrian has injected energy and pressing football into the London club, making him one of the better-paid managers outside the traditional Premier League elite.
17. Mauricio Pochettino — USA (£5.1m)
Pochettino took charge of the US Men’s National Team in 2025, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup on home soil. His £5.1m annual deal reflects the US Federation’s ambition to make a global statement.
16. Antonio Conte — Napoli (£5.6m)
Napoli turned to Conte in 2024 to restore their Scudetto-winning momentum. His trademark intensity and winning pedigree come at a price: £5.6m per season. Though lower than his Premier League days, it’s still among Serie A’s top salaries.
15. Thomas Tuchel — England (£6m)
The former Chelsea and Bayern boss became England manager in 2024. Tasked with finally delivering silverware to the Three Lions, Tuchel pockets £6m annually, placing him among the best-paid international coaches in the world.
14. Arne Slot — Liverpool (£6.4m)
Replacing Jürgen Klopp in 2024 was never going to be easy, but Liverpool entrusted Arne Slot with the job after his successful spell at Feyenoord. His £6.4m salary underscores both Liverpool’s faith in him and the financial strength of the Premier League.
13. Rúben Amorim — Manchester United (£6.7m)
After impressing at Sporting CP, Amorim was hired to lead Manchester United’s next rebuild. His £6.7m yearly salary shows United’s willingness to invest heavily in a young manager with modern tactical ideas.
12. Xabi Alonso — Real Madrid (£6.7m)
After guiding Bayer Leverkusen to unprecedented success, Alonso made the jump to Real Madrid in 2024. At £6.7m a year, his contract reflects both his relative inexperience and Madrid’s faith in his long-term project.
11. Vincent Kompany — Bayern Munich (£7.8m)
The Belgian coach moved from Burnley to Bayern in 2024 in a shock appointment. His £7.8m salary puts him comfortably above Bundesliga peers, signaling Bayern’s belief in his potential despite his young managerial age.
10. Unai Emery — Aston Villa (£8m)
Since arriving in 2022, Emery has transformed Villa into Champions League regulars. His new contract extension through 2029 bumped his salary to £8m annually — reward for one of the most impressive managerial rebuilds in recent Premier League history.
9. Laurent Blanc — Al-Ittihad (£8.6m)
The Frenchman, once PSG coach, now commands £8.6m a year in Saudi Arabia. Tasked with maintaining Al-Ittihad’s dominance, Blanc’s salary highlights just how aggressively the Saudi Pro League is chasing elite managerial talent.
8. Carlo Ancelotti — Brazil (£9.4m)
After leaving Real Madrid, Ancelotti accepted the Brazil national team job in 2024. Earning £9.4m per year, he is the highest-paid international manager in the world and is under immense pressure to deliver the 2026 World Cup.
7. Hansi Flick — Barcelona(£10.3m)
Hansi Flick’s initial gross annual salary at FC Barcelona was reported to be between €9-11 million, with potential bonuses for winning La Liga and the Champions League. He also accepted a reduction from his previous earnings to accommodate the club’s financial situation.
6. Luis Enrique — PSG (£10.3m)
PSG’s gamble on Luis Enrique has worked wonders. After a domestic treble in 2024 and a historic Champions League triumph, his £10.3m salary feels like a bargain for a manager who finally delivered PSG’s European dream.
5. David Moyes — Everton (£12.5m)
In January 2025, Moyes returned to Everton with the club facing relegation danger. The Toffees handed him a staggering £12.5m annual salary, banking on his experience. His swift turnaround ensured survival, proving the investment worthwhile.
4. Mikel Arteta — Arsenal (£15.6m)
Since taking charge in 2019, Arteta has rebuilt Arsenal into consistent Premier League title challengers. His £15.6m-per-year contract extension in 2024 reflects Arsenal’s faith in him to end a 20-year league title drought.
3. Pep Guardiola — Manchester City (£20m)
The most successful coach in City’s history, Guardiola extended his stay until 2027 with a £20m annual deal. With six league titles, multiple domestic cups, and a Champions League, Pep remains the Premier League’s highest-paid manager.
2. Simone Inzaghi — Al-Hilal (£22.4m)
After leaving Inter Milan, Inzaghi shocked Europe by signing with Al-Hilal in 2025. His £22.4m salary makes him the best-paid manager outside Europe. He has already proven his worth by knocking Manchester City out of the Club World Cup.
1. Diego Simeone — Atlético Madrid (£30.1m)
For the sixth straight year, Diego Simeone tops the global list. Despite taking a pay cut in 2023, his £30.1m annual salary remains the highest in world football. Since joining Atlético in 2011, he has won two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, and reached two Champions League finals — cementing his place as both a club legend and the world’s highest-paid manager.
SUMMARY
The landscape of managerial pay in football is shifting. While Europe’s giants still dominate, Saudi Arabia has disrupted the market, pulling top tacticians away with record-breaking offers. Meanwhile, national teams like Brazil and the USA are also investing heavily, recognizing that elite coaching is essential for World Cup success.
What’s clear is that the dugout is no longer just about tactics and training; it’s a multi-million-pound industry where the very best are compensated like global superstars.
