Football has a way of recycling its magic. On the pitch, strikers are often the heartbeat of their teams, electrifying stadiums with every goal, every flick, every audacious volley. But what happens when the roar of the crowd fades, and these masters of scoring look for a second act?
Some stay close to the game, dabbling in punditry or fading into obscurity. But a rare breed reinvents themselves on the sidelines, transforming their killer instinct into tactical genius. The fiery charisma that once lit up the field turns into a force that inspires entire squads, and they don’t just play the beautiful game—they design it.
Here’s A Ranked List of Top 10 Former Strikers Turned Managers
10. Simone Inzaghi – Master of the Modern 3-5-2
Playing Career: 1994–2010 | Managerial Career: 2016–Present
Simone Inzaghi’s playing style mirrors his managerial ethos: efficient, clever, and quietly brilliant. Though he spent much of his career in Lazio’s shadow, he made his mark with a knack for being in the right place at the right time—both on the pitch and in the dugout.
As a manager, Inzaghi has leaned into innovation. At Lazio, he mastered the 3-5-2 formation, turning his squad into a well-oiled machine and securing a Coppa Italia. His move to Inter Milan in 2021 was a statement of ambition, and by 2024, he’d won a Serie A title and led his team to the Champions League final.
9. Roberto Mancini – The Architect of Italy's Euro Glory
Playing Career: 1980–2001 | Managerial Career: 2001–Present
Roberto Mancini was a striker who oozed elegance. Forming a lethal partnership with Gianluca Vialli at Sampdoria, Mancini scored goals that didn’t just win games—they won hearts.
Over 15 years at the club, he became a legend, bagging titles like Serie A and the Cup Winners’ Cup. But it was as a manager that Mancini truly made his name. After guiding Inter Milan to three consecutive Serie A titles, he took on the challenge of Manchester City.
It was here, in 2012, that Mancini masterminded a moment football will never forget: Sergio Agüero’s last-minute goal to secure City’s first-ever Premier League title. Add to that Euro 2020 glory with Italy, and you see a man whose managerial career is as glittering as his playing days.
8. Jürgen Klopp – The Charismatic Innovator
Playing Career: 1987–2001 | Managerial Career: 2001–2024
Jürgen Klopp wasn’t your typical superstar striker, but he was a player who understood the game’s heartbeat. After a decade at Mainz, Klopp transitioned seamlessly into management, and the rest is history.
Known for his infectious charisma, Klopp’s managerial rise was meteoric. He turned Borussia Dortmund into Bundesliga champions and brought their fans a domestic double in 2012. At Liverpool, Klopp didn’t just win trophies—he resurrected a sleeping giant. A Champions League title in 2019, a Premier League crown in 2020, and a style of football that thrilled the world cemented Klopp’s place among the greats.
7. Sir Kenny Dalglish – Liverpool’s King
Playing Career: 1969–1990 | Managerial Career: 1985–2012
When Kenny Dalglish arrived at Liverpool in 1977, he wasn’t just joining a club; he was becoming part of its soul. As a player, his sublime technique and vision helped secure six league titles and three European Cups. But Dalglish wasn’t done.
Taking over as player-manager in 1985, Dalglish guided Liverpool to three First Division titles in five years—an exceptional feat. His time at Blackburn Rovers was equally historic, leading them to their first Premier League title in 1995.
Dalglish’s love affair with Liverpool endured, and though his second stint as manager didn’t reach the same heights, his legacy as one of football’s great player-managers remains untouched.
6. Jupp Heynckes – A Gentleman of the Game
Playing Career: 1963–1978 | Managerial Career: 1979–2018
Jupp Heynckes’ playing career was defined by precision and consistency, spending most of his time as a striker for Borussia Mönchengladbach. His tenure coincided with the club’s golden era, collecting four Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Cup. But Heynckes’ journey was just beginning.
As a manager, Heynckes crafted an extraordinary career spanning nearly 40 years. His crowning achievement came in 2013 when he guided Bayern Munich to an unprecedented treble—winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. Known for his dignified demeanour, Heynckes was a tactician who blended discipline with flair.
5. Ottmar Hitzfeld – The General
Playing Career: 1971–1983 | Managerial Career: 1983–2014
Ottmar Hitzfeld was a prolific striker in Switzerland, winning two league titles with Basel. Yet his brilliance truly shone after he traded his boots for the manager’s clipboard.
Hitzfeld’s name became synonymous with success during his time in Germany. He won two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Bayern Munich, where his legacy only grew. By the time he retired in 2014, Hitzfeld had amassed seven Bundesliga titles and two Champions League triumphs.
4. Mario Zagallo – Brazil’s Eternal Legend
Playing Career: 1951–1965 | Managerial Career: 1966–2002
Mario Zagallo’s legacy is forever intertwined with the golden history of Brazilian football. As a player, Zagallo won two World Cups and was renowned for his intelligent play and tireless work rate as an inside forward.
Zagallo’s transition to management brought more glory. In 1970, he coached Brazil to World Cup victory, creating one of the most iconic teams in football history. Zagallo remains a pioneer, the first man to win the World Cup as a player and a manager.
3. Johan Cruyff – The Father of Total Football
Playing Career: 1964–1984 | Managerial Career: 1985–1996
Johan Cruyff wasn’t just a footballer—he was a visionary. A three-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cruyff epitomised Total Football, a revolutionary philosophy that reshaped the game. As a forward for Ajax and Barcelona, he dazzled with his technical brilliance and tactical intelligence.
Cruyff’s managerial career was equally transformative. With Ajax, he laid the groundwork for a modern style of football, and at Barcelona, he built the legendary “Dream Team,” winning four consecutive La Liga titles and a European Cup. Beyond the trophies, Cruyff’s influence shaped a generation of players and coaches, making him one of football’s greatest thinkers.
2. Brian Clough – The Great Storyteller
Playing Career: 1955–1964 | Managerial Career: 1965–1993
Brian Clough’s playing career was cut short by injury, but not before he proved himself as a deadly striker with over 250 goals in just over 270 games.
What he lacked in longevity as a player, he more than made up for as a manager. Clough’s exploits with Derby County and Nottingham Forest are the stuff of legend.
At Forest, he orchestrated one of football’s greatest fairy tales, taking the club from obscurity to two consecutive European Cups in 1979 and 1980. His outspoken nature and unorthodox methods made him one of football’s most colourful characters, but his achievements were undeniable.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – The Mastermind of Manchester
Playing Career: 1957–1974 | Managerial Career: 1974–2013
Sir Alex Ferguson is the epitome of success in football management. As a player, he was a formidable striker in Scotland, but it was his managerial career that turned him into a legend.
After breaking Celtic and Rangers’ dominance with Aberdeen, Ferguson arrived at Manchester United in 1986. Over 27 years, he transformed the club into a global powerhouse, winning 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions Leagues.
His fiery temperament, unrivalled work ethic, and tactical acumen made him a once-in-a-lifetime figure. Ferguson’s 49 trophies stand as a towering proof of his unparalleled greatness.
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