The football managerial sect is undergoing a significant shake-up, with top clubs like Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, as well as national teams, already making managerial changes this summer.
As the coaching carousel continues to spin, we’ve identified the top 10 out-of-work managers who could be the next to take the reins at a new club.
From Xavi Hernandez to Zinedine Zidane, and Thomas Tuchel to Gareth Southgate, these managerial heavyweights are eagerly awaiting their next opportunity to make a mark on the beautiful game of football.
With speculation surrounding their potential next moves, it’s only a matter of time before they’re back in the dugout, leading a new team to victory.
Here’s a closer look at these highly sought-after coaches, boasting impressive track records and ready for their next challenge.
Top ten managers without club
1. Xavi Hernandez
Xavi, a relatively new manager, has quickly made a name for himself in the list of top managers.
The 44-year-old Spaniard began his managerial career at Al-Sadd in Qatar before joining Barcelona in 2021. Despite initial struggles, Xavi led Barcelona to a dominant league title win in his second season.
Although his third season was marred by injuries and off-field issues, Xavi’s potential makes him a highly sought-after free agent.
2. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane’s managerial career may have been brief, but it was incredibly successful.
In a short span, he led Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions Leagues, along with numerous Super Cups and Club World Cups.
After leaving the Bernabeu after a trophy-less season in 2020/21, citing a lack of faith in him by the club’s management, Zidane is eager to return to coaching.
The French legend, with two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions Leagues, is waiting for the right opportunity to return to management.
3. Sergio Conceicao enters list of managers without club
Sergio Conceicao’s nine-year tenure at Porto was a remarkable success, overseeing 379 matches and transforming the team into a dominant force.
Initially, Conceicao faced a challenging first season amidst Benfica’s reign, but he masterfully guided Porto to break their rivals’ four-year hold on the title in 2017/18, finishing seven points clear.
Under his leadership, Porto secured two additional league titles, bringing their total to 30, as well as four Portuguese Cup wins and a Taca da Liga triumph.
Although European success eluded him, Conceicao’s achievements make him a highly anticipated figure in his next managerial chapter.
4. Edin Terzic
Edin Terzic’s coaching journey began at Borussia Dortmund, where he honed his skills as a scout and youth assistant coach.
He then gained valuable experience as an assistant to Slaven Bilić, before earning his UEFA Pro Licence in 2018.
Terzic returned to Dortmund as head coach in 2020, achieving notable success by winning the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and leading the team to the UEFA Champions League final in 2024, demonstrating his potential as a top-tier manager.
5. Thomas Tuchel enters list of managers without club
Thomas Tuchel’s managerial career has been marked by success, with three league titles, three domestic cups, and a Champions League triumph to his name.
However, his tenures have also been plagued by growing unhappiness, culminating in Bayern Munich’s first trophy-less season in 11 years under his leadership.
Notably, Tuchel’s Chelsea stint was a remarkable turnaround, as he transformed a struggling team into Champions League winners.
Despite his success at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, Tuchel’s volatile nature has led to frequent changes in his managerial career.
6. Joachim Low
Joachim Low’s impressive managerial career has been largely defined by his success on the international stage, particularly during his 15-year tenure as Germany’s head coach.
Although he’s been out of work since the 2021 European Championships, Low’s achievements are undeniable. He led Germany to three major finals, culminating in the 2014 World Cup title and the 2017 Confederations Cup win.
Additionally, he reached the Euro 2008 final and the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, securing a third-place finish. While his club-level accomplishments are more modest, they include notable titles like the 2001/02 Austrian Bundesliga with Tirol Innsbruck and the 1997 DfB-Pokal with Stuttgart.
Low’s international CV is truly remarkable, making him a highly respected figure in the football world.
7. Massimiliano Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri’s second stint at Juventus came to an abrupt end when he was sacked just two days after leading the team to Coppa Italia glory in 2024.
Allegri’s first tenure from 2014 to 2019 was incredibly successful, with five consecutive league titles, four Italian Cups, and two Champions League final appearances.
However, his return in 2021/22 failed to replicate that success, with only one Italian Cup win and lackluster league finishes, leading to his eventual departure.
8. Maurizio Sarri
The veteran coach, who has managed Napoli, Chelsea, and Juventus, is currently without a club after resigning from Lazio.
Maurizio Sarri’s journey to becoming a renowned football manager was unconventional, as he balanced amateur football and coaching with a career as a banker.
Sarri’s breakthrough success arrived in 2014 when he led Empoli to promotion to Serie A, and subsequent achievements at Napoli earned him individual accolades.
A stint at Chelsea yielded a UEFA Europa League title, before returning to Italy to win Serie A with Juventus in his first season, becoming the oldest manager to do so.
After a brief sabbatical, Sarri joined Lazio in 2021, guiding them to second place in Serie A and Champions League qualification in his second season, before resigning on March 12, 2024.
9. Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate departed as England manager after an eight-year tenure, culminating in a 2-1 loss to Spain in the 2024 UEFA European Championship final.
Despite a lackluster tournament performance, Southgate’s ability to lead England to consecutive Euros finals, a World Cup semi-final, and quarter-final showcases his managerial prowess.
The former England manager, who led the Three Lions to two consecutive Euros finals, is now available for club management.
10. David Moyes enters list of managers without club
The experienced Scottish coach, with a long history in the Premier League and recent success at West Ham, is currently without a club after leaving the Hammers at the end of last season.
During his second tenure at West Ham, Moyes led the team to two top-seven finishes and secured the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League title, marking the club’s first major trophy in 43 years. He departed the club at the end of 2022 after achieving significant success during his time there.
These top coaches are eager to bring their expertise to new teams and achieve further success in the world of football management.
Who do you think will be the first to secure a new role? Please, share your thoughts with us in the comments box below:
