Top 10 highest-paid managers in the world

While being a manager at a top football club might be one of the toughest jobs in the world. With the constant pressure and the risk of being sacked when results are not favourable, stuff can go south really quickly for any football manager. But one thing the managers on this list can’t complain about is how well their employers pay them for doing their jobs. 

The salaries of the highest-paid managers in the world match those of top superstar players. But most of the managers mentioned on this list have revolutionised the game in some way or the other and have brought a bucket load of success to their sides. 

Top managers are always sought after in the world of football and this article will answer the question of why every club in the world can’t afford to employ a top manager. 

Join us as we take a look at the top 10 highest-paid managers in the world:

The highest-paid managers in world football

10. Luis Enrique (Paris St Germain)

Luis Enrique joined PSG at the start of the 2023-24 season and led the club to a league and domestic cup double in his first season with the club. Enrique is one of the few managers on this list who have won the treble and have managed at both the club and international level. 

Enrique has won a total of 12 trophies as a manager and he will be looking to add a few more trophies to his cabinet in the near future as he still has a long career to look forward to as a manager.

9. Jorge Jesus (Al-Hilal)

The Portuguese manager joined as the head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal at the start of the 2023-24 football season and instantly became one of the highest-paid managers in the world. Jesus had also previously managed the club for one season during the 2018-19 season.

 During his first season back with the club (2023-24), Al Hilal won a domestic treble winning the Saudi Pro League, the King's Cup and the Saudi Super Cup. Not only that the club signed Brazilian superstar Neymar with Jorge Jesus. Although Neymar’s first season might not have gone as planned due to an ACL injury, but he will be looking to win trophies for the Saudi side in the upcoming seasons.

Jesus signed a one-year contract extension with the club worth a reported $10 million a year at the end of the 2023-24 season.

8. Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan)

While many fans may still remember Simone Inzaghi as the Lazio striker banging in goals week in and week out. But the striker has now turned into one of the best tacticians in the world. 

Inazghi became the Inter Milan manager in 2021 and since then has led them to three Itlain Super Cups, two Italian Cup triumphs and the Serie A title during the 2023-24 season. Inzaghi also led Inter Milan into the final of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League but unfortunately saw his side beaten on the day by Pep Guardiola’s Man City. Despite the UCL final loss, Inzagi still boasters an incredible record in cup finals. 

With the recent success, the Nerazzurri look set to reward Inazghi with a bumper new long-term contract

7. Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Carlo Ancelotti is undoubtedly one of the greatest managers of all time. The Italian manager has enjoyed success across three decades of football. Ancelotti is the only manager in football history to win the league titles in all of the top five European Leagues.

 Ancelotti’s career at the top of the game looked set to be coming to an end when he joined midtable Premier League side Everton in 2019. But he re-joined Real Madrid before the 2021-22 season and proved everybody wrong. Ancelotti won the UCL during his first season back with the club. Don Carlo’s side went on to lift the UCL title again, this time during the 2023-24 season, this being his 5th Champions League title triumph during his long illustrious career.

6. Erik ten Hag (Manchester United)

Erik ten Hag became the Man United manager at the start of the 2022-23 season signing a three-year contract. The Dutch manager’s first season was a huge success as the Red Devils won the EFL Cup, ending their long five-year trophy drought. The club also ended the season 3rd in the Premier League and returned to the UCL. 

The 2023-24 season did not go according to plan for Erik ten Hag as it was one of the worst seasons in Manchester United's history. The Red Devils finished 8th in the league, the only saving grace was the FA Cup triumph. Man United, now under new leadership decided to keep the Dutchman in charge of the club and look set to award him with a new contract.

5. Marcelo Gallardo (Al Ittihad)

Marcelo Gallardo had a very successful run with Argentinian side River Plate, winning all the major trophies available. In November 2023, Gallardo joined Al Ittihad on a bumper one-and-a- half-year deal. 

However, Gallardo’s first year in charge didn’t go according to plan as the club failed to win any trophies despite signing some big stars like Karim Bemzema, Fabinho and N’Golo Kante. Reports suggest that Al Ittihad are looking to part ways with the Argentine manager but will have to pay a big settlement fee.

4. Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq)

3. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

Surprisingly, Pep Guardiola isn’t top of the list of highest-paid managers in the world. Guardiola has enjoyed enormous success throughout his career, be it as a player or as a manager. 

Pep Guardiola has brought success to every club he ever managed and is currently enjoying a very successful run with Premier League side Manchester City. 

The Spanish manager has led the club to their first ever UEFA Champions League title, a domestic treble, a history treble and has also helped the club to win four successive Premier League titles, which was a feast not even achieved by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Gaurdiola’s current contract runs until the end of the 2024-25 season and there are doubts about whether the Spanish manager will continue at the club or retire. No matter what the future holds for Pep Guardiola, he will go down in history as one of the greatest managers in football history.

2. Roberto Mancini (Saudi Arabia National Team)

From the current Man City manager to a former one. 

In August 2023, Roberto Mancini was announced as the manager of the Saudi Arabia national team, signing a contract worth a reported €25m a year. This is a record contract for any manager ever in international football. 

Saudi Arabia have invested heavily in football recently, both in their top-flight league and in the national team as the nation is set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. 

Mancini has a very impressive CV, he won the UEFA Euro 2020 with Italy, three Serie A titles, and multiple Cups and he was also the manager who led Manchester City to their first Premier League title in history. 

Football fans in Saudi Arabia will be hoping that Mancini can help the nation rise in the FIFA rankings and give a good account for themselves in the near future.

1. Diego Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)