Elite managers are handsomely remunerated for their services in contemporary football. The likes of Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp occupy the top spots of best paid managers lists, thanks to their experience and impressive track record.
So how much are football managers paid?
10. Unai Emery (Aston Villa) – £8 Million per year
In 2022 Unai Emery came to Aston Villa to lead the club toward its goal of securing elite status. When Villa obtained his release from Villarreal they showed their serious investment in the team by paying a massive sum. Unai Emery delivered four Europa League titles and seven trophies during his time at PSG before taking Villa from potential relegation to a top-seven Premier League slot and qualifying them for the Champions League while earning a yearly salary of £8,000,000. His £8 million yearly wage demonstrates how well he has led the club.
9. Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal) – £8.4 Million per year
Jorge Jesus leads Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia through June 2025 under a current contract. Al-Hilal pays high wages to their appointed manager who holds extensive professional experience because they expect him to lead the club toward better goal achievement in the Saudi Pro League championship. His track record across European and South American leagues has created demand among teams because of the high lucrative terms offered to him by his current club.
8. Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan) – £8.8 Million per year
Simone Inzaghi's leadership brought Inter Milan its 2023 Serie A championship and almost secured the Champions League badge. The Italian manager received a contract extension until 2025 after securing six championships within three years. Famous for his precise tactical approach Inzaghi maintains esteemed standing among football experts worldwide at a yearly payment of £8.8 million.
7. José Mourinho (Fenerbahçe) – £8.9 Million per year
Following his Roma success José Mourinho will lead Turkish club Fenerbahçe in a management role. The reputational strength of Mourinho as a multileague champion shaped Fenerbahçe's decision to commit the sum of £8.9 million yearly to his services as they strive to reclaim Turkish football's top position. His stellar record as one of the best managers of his time remains clear and his transfer to Turkey will provide him yet another opportunity to accumulate even more glory.
6. Luis Enrique (PSG) – £9.1 Million per year
The three years at PSG under Luis Enrique’s leadership have been financial lucrative for him because he brings in £9.1 million per year which makes him one of the premium managers in Ligue 1. Even though he receives moderate compensation when compared to other PSG coaches in recent times his achievements at Barcelona and clear tactical knowledge maintain his position as one of the top football managers in the sport. The high wage PSG offers Luis Enrique reflects their confidence he can lead the team toward more victories.
5. Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) – £9.6 Million per year
After Real Madrid extended his contract into 2026 Carlo Ancelotti secured a yearly salary of £9.6 million as one of the industry's most respected managers. The respected Carlo Ancelotti stands as football’s versatile and accomplished manager because he led Madrid to multiple European triumphs. His flexibility to control multiple game plans and deliver trophies for every organization he leads classifies him as one of the top-earning managers today.
4. Stefano Pioli ( Al Nassr) – £15 Million Per Year
Stefano Pioli who served as AC Milan manager accepted the position to lead Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr as their new head coach. The Italian manager named Stefano Pioli now leads the club after Luis Castro lost his position due to weak team performance.
Pioli accepted his position with Al-Nassr in the Middle East by securing a doubled paycheckと spent his time at Milan at £15 million per year. Al-Nassr has assigned him the responsibility of leading their superstar team including Cristiano Ronaldo and others to win both local and international championships.
3. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) – £15 Million Per Year
Mikel Arteta is the current head coach of Arsenal Football Club, a professional football club in England. He was appointed as the head coach of Arsenal in December 2019, following the sacking of the previous head coach, Unai Emery.
Arteta initially signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Arsenal, which was set to expire in the summer of 2023. However, in May 2022, Arsenal announced that Arteta had signed a new three-year contract extension, which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2024-25 season.
The contract extension was seen as a show of faith in Arteta's ability to lead Arsenal back to success, following a disappointing season in 2019-20 where the team finished in eighth place in the Premier League and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Since then, Arteta has overseen an improvement in Arsenal's performances, guiding the team to win the FA Cup in his first season in charge and the Community Shield at the start of the following season. However, the team has also struggled with consistency and has been inconsistent in the league, finishing in 8th and 5th place in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, respectively.
Overall, Arteta's contract extension suggests that Arsenal's board and ownership are committed to giving him time to build a successful team and implement his vision for the club.
2. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) – £20 Million Per Year
Guardiola first joined Manchester City in 2016, signing a three-year contract with the club. He then extended his contract in May 2018 for another two years, which would have kept him at the club until the end of the 2020-2021 season. In November 2020, he signed a new two-year contract extension that will keep him at Manchester City until the end of the 2022-2023 season.
Under Guardiola's leadership, Manchester City has experienced considerable success, including winning several domestic titles such as the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup, as well as reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2020-2021 season. His continued presence at the club is seen as an important factor in Manchester City's ongoing success and ambitions for future seasons.
1. Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid) – £30 Million Per Year
.webp "Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)")
Simeone's initial contract with Atletico Madrid was set to expire in 2022, but in March 2021, he signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2024. This new contract reflected the club's desire to maintain Simeone's leadership and to continue building a successful team around him.
Under Simeone's guidance, Atletico Madrid has become one of the most consistent and competitive teams in Europe. The team has won several domestic and international titles, including two UEFA Europa League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and two La Liga titles. Simeone is known for his intense and passionate coaching style, which has earned him the nickname "El Cholo" among fans.