The ten coaches that everyone wants in charge at their club next season.
10. Carlo Ancelotti – Real Madrid
The Italian’s position with the La Liga giants is still far from stable despite him keeping the club in the running with Atletico and Barcelona at the top of the table and guiding them to a Champions League semi-final. He has surely proved that he is capable of managing anyone to the top of the game and could go wherever he wants.
9. Mauricio Pochettino – Southampton
Many thought Southampton had ruined their season when they hired the former Argentina international, but he has surprised everyone by utilising the club’s youth system to it’s maximum and spend money on some shrewd signings that have helped consolidate the club as a Premier League side. Wanted by Tottenham to replace Tim Sherwood, he has refused to rule out the possibility of linking up with the White Heart Lane outfit at the end of the season.
8. Jorge Jusus – Benfica
Since taking over at the Lisbon based giants in 2009 the 59-year-old has picked up four titles and could be set to add another two this season as they continue to lead the way in their domestic league as well as occupy one of the final four spots in the Europa League. Sources linked him with a move away after last season’s double heartbreak, but he resisted the urge to jump ship. That hasn’t stopped others from wanting to take him away, though.
7. Laurent Blanc – Paris Saint Germain
Blanc has been building himself up as one of the finest coaches in Europe since his days with Bordeaux, but now that he’s with PSG where else could he go? The big spenders have Ligue 1 wrapped up already, and will continue to do so until Monaco get their act together, which means their focus is on Europe, and continued failure to reach the final will only represent a failure to deliver in the eyes of his demanding owners.
6. Antonio Conte – Juventus
The young Juve coach served the club well as a player and has now taken that all conquering mentality into his career as a manager. He learnt his trade for five years in the lower reaches of the Italian league system before being given the chance to take over the reigns in Turin and is wanted by several clubs across Europe even though he would most likely stay at Juve for the rest of his life if he could.
5. Phillip Cocu – PSV Eindhoven
An Eindhoven native, Cocu spent six years playing for his hometown club in two separate spells during his distinguished career and it was only natural that he would return there as manager one day. And since doing so in 2013 he has been responsible for blooding a new batch of young players that look set to steal the crown from Ajax in the near future.
4. Roberto Mancini – Galatasaray
The Italian was hailed as a genius at Inter Milan, so Man City quickly snapped him up. Then he was condemned as a rudderless manager who let stress get to him too easily. However, he has quickly showed that he is a top quality manager once again with Galatasaray and it wanted by several big clubs right across Europe.
3. Frank de Boer – Ajax
One half of the de Boer twins, he was brought through the club’s famous youth system to become one of it’s most famous component. Now back as a coach he has restored a massive degree of style and respect to the Amsterdam giants. Likely to collect another Eredivise title again this season, he could be Tottenham’s new manager next year as one of the names being consistently linked to take over from Tim Sherwood.
2. Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s emergence as one of Spanish football’s superpowers (on a much smaller budget no less!) has been attributed in large part to the former midfielder as he has instilled a fighting spirit that wasn’t there all those times they languished at the wrong end of the table. However, in turning Atletico into a major force he has put himself in the shop window, and surely it won’t be long before someone offers him enough to move on elsewhere.
1. Jurgen Klopp – Borussia Dortmund
Klopp was the mastermind behind Dortmund’s recent mini-domination of the Bundesliga, as his all action style was praised and copied in equal measure. However, he has since seen his side fall back behind Bayern Munich and his best players have all been harvested with more likely to follow. He loves the club, and has insisted that he still has work to do there, but how much longer can he play second fiddle before he grows weary and moves on. There are plenty of takers after all!