By the time the final whistle blows on their playing careers, some footballers hear a different call—the call to lead from the sidelines.
Among them, midfielders often rise to the challenge, their vision forged in the heart of the pitch, where battles for dominance are won and lost. Here are ten midfield maestros who turned their innate understanding of the game into managerial greatness.
Ranked List of Top 10 Former Midfielders Turned Elite Managers
10. Xabi Alonso – The Architect in the Shadows
Playing Career: 1999–2017 (Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich)
Managerial Career: 2019–present
There’s something poetic about Xabi Alonso’s trajectory. As a player, his pinpoint passes sliced defences open like a surgeon’s scalpel, and as a manager, he’s proving just as precise. In 2023/24, Bayer Leverkusen—a team once yearning for glory—lifted the Bundesliga trophy for the first time.
And it didn’t stop there. Alonso led them to a domestic double, their football as silky as his passes in his Liverpool and Real Madrid days. Though his only blemish was a Europa League final loss to Atalanta, Alonso’s mastery of tactics and composure have thrust him into the conversation as one of the brightest young managers. From Sociedad’s academy to the dugouts of Europe, the journey has just begun.
9. Diego Simeone – Passion Embodied
Playing Career: 1987–2006 (Atletico Madrid, Lazio)
Managerial Career: 2006–present
If you ever wondered what "sheer will" looks like, picture Diego Simeone on the touchline. The black suit, the clenched fists, the unrelenting intensity—it’s all part of El Cholo's charm.
As a midfielder, Simeone was a warrior. And as Atletico Madrid’s manager, he’s built a fortress. When Atletico broke Real Madrid and Barcelona’s duopoly in 2014, winning La Liga, fans wept in the stands.
It wasn’t just a title; it was an uprising. Two Europa League crowns followed, along with two agonisingly close Champions League finals. For Simeone, every match is personal, every win is a victory for his unshakeable philosophy of grit.
8. Didier Deschamps – The Captain of Champions
Playing Career: 1985–2001 (Juventus, Marseille)
Managerial Career: 2001–present
They called him "The Water Carrier," a nod to his selfless work in midfield. But Didier Deschamps has always been more than that. He’s a leader, the glue that binds superstars together.
As manager of France, he guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018, a feat few have ever achieved. It was a coronation for a man who’d also lifted the trophy as a player in 1998. From Monaco to Juventus to Marseille, Deschamps’ managerial career is built on discipline and trust—a perfect mirror of his playing days.
7. Antonio Conte – The Commander with a Plan
Playing Career: 1985–2004 (Juventus)
Managerial Career: 2006–present
Antonio Conte doesn’t just coach teams; he transforms them into machines. From the moment he took over Juventus in 2011, he revived a sleeping giant, leading them to three consecutive Serie A titles.
Perhaps his greatest story unfolded in Chelsea in 2016. After a rocky start, he switched to his signature three-man defence, and the Blues became unstoppable, storming to a Premier League title.
In 2024, Conte brought his fierce determination to Napoli, and the Partenopei look destined for greatness under his charge. Whether as a player or manager, Conte’s fire burns the same—a relentless quest for perfection.
6. Frank Rijkaard – The Visionary
Playing Career: 1980–1995 (Ajax, AC Milan)
Managerial Career: 1998–2013
Imagine a Barcelona team rising from the ashes, rediscovering its identity after years in the wilderness. That was Frank Rijkaard’s task in 2003, and he didn’t just succeed—he laid the foundations for a dynasty.
Rijkaard nurtured talents like Ronaldinho and a young Lionel Messi, guiding the Catalans to two La Liga titles and a Champions League triumph in 2006. As a player, Rijkaard was as versatile as they came—equally adept in defence or midfield. As a manager, his calm, thoughtful demeanour inspired players to reach heights they’d never dreamed possible.
4. Zinedine Zidane – A Magician in Every Role
Playing Career: 1989–2006 (Real Madrid, Juventus)
Managerial Career: 2014–present
As a player, Zinedine Zidane painted football’s most beautiful moments. As a manager, he’s proven just as mesmerising.
In his first managerial stint, Zidane led Real Madrid to an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League titles. His calm demeanour and innate understanding of the game endeared him to players and fans alike. Zidane’s genius is timeless, whether on the pitch or the sidelines.
4. Vicente del Bosque – The Gentleman of the Game
Playing Career: 1967–1984 (Real Madrid)
Managerial Career: 1987–2016
There’s a quiet dignity to Vicente del Bosque. He doesn’t shout or stomp; he observes, understands, and executes. Under his leadership, Spain conquered the world, winning the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euros.
His Real Madrid tenure was just as golden. Two Champions League titles in three years solidified his status as one of football’s great tacticians. Del Bosque’s calm authority and deep understanding of the game were hallmarks of his playing days, and as a manager, they made him a legend.
3. José Mourinho – The Special One
Playing Career: 1980–1987
Managerial Career: 2000–present
“Please don’t call me arrogant,” José Mourinho said during his first Chelsea press conference. “I’m a European champion. I’m the Special One.” And he was right.
Mourinho’s charisma, sharp wit, and obsession with winning have defined his career. From Porto’s stunning Champions League triumph to Chelsea’s Premier League dominance and Inter Milan’s historic treble, Mourinho has always delivered. His time as a midfielder may not have been remarkable, but as a manager, he’s rewritten history.
2. Carlo Ancelotti – The Consummate Winner
Playing Career: 1976–1992 (AC Milan)
Managerial Career: 1995–present
Carlo Ancelotti’s managerial career spans continents and generations. Wherever he’s gone—AC Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid—success has followed.
Known for his adaptability and man-management skills, Ancelotti’s players love him, and his trophies speak for themselves. As a player, he was a midfield maestro for Roma and Milan. As a manager, he’s become a true icon.
1. Pep Guardiola – The Philosopher
Playing Career: 1988–2006 (Barcelona)
Managerial Career: 2007–present
If football is art, Pep Guardiola is its master. His Barcelona team (2008–2012) wasn’t just dominant; it was transcendent. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta—under Pep, they became legends.
Guardiola brought his philosophy of possession and positional play to Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles, and to Manchester City, where he’s redefined English football.
In 2023, City’s treble was the culmination of Pep’s vision, and securing four consecutive Premier League titles in 2024 further proves his brilliance as both a player and a manager.
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