The 2023-2024 season has seen the emergence of brilliant tactical innovators and master strategists, who have been shaping the sport with their brilliance on the sidelines in the ever-evolving world of football management. We at The Football Yeller are here to cover the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024. As the season comes to an end, it’s important to recognize the top 10 football managers who have made a lasting impact on the sport this year.
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These coaches have showcased their exceptional skill, adaptability, and leadership by revitalizing storied clubs and engineering remarkable underdog triumphs, solidifying their place among the elite. Their incredible ability to inspire, motivate, and lead their teams to victory has not only won over fans but also taken their teams to new levels of success on the international stage.
Let’s explore the world of football and take a closer look at the top-performing managers of the 2023-2024 season. We’ll celebrate their remarkable achievements and the lasting impact they’ve had on the sport. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
10). Eric Roy (Brest)
Thanks to the leadership of manager Eric Roy, who had previously received little attention from French clubs, Brest made a significant impact in Ligue 1 this season. After successfully keeping Les Pirates in the top flight in 2022-23, he impressively led them to a third-place finish and secured Champions League qualification in his second season as manager.
This achievement is even more remarkable considering the limited resources he had at his disposal. He implemented a straightforward style of play. The club has never participated in European competitions, including the prestigious Champions League. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
Roy, unsurprisingly, was awarded the Ligue 1 Manager of the Season ahead of Luis Enrique, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, who won the league title. Stade Brestois has secured a spot in the Champions League, surpassing many of France’s top teams!
Similar to Lens last season, the team, led by a former Marseille star, has built a strong and cohesive group that could easily go unnoticed by most European football fans on the street. He has truly earned his spot on this year’s list. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
9). Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town)
The 37-year-old has the potential to make a significant impact in English football. Following an unfortunate injury that ended his playing career at Tottenham, McKenna transitioned into coaching. He started with Spurs U18s and later made his way to Manchester United, where he worked his way up from the youth set-up to the senior side.
Ipswich Town made a bold move in December 2021 by signing McKenna, who was 35 years old at the time. This decision turned out to be a stroke of genius, as he played a key role in helping the team secure promotion from League One in his first full season at Portman Road. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
The current Championship season has been nothing short of remarkable, with the Tractor Boys defying expectations and earning a spot back in the Premier League. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that it was accomplished without relying on big-name players or a large budget.
Ipswich can expect a lot of attention from various sources this summer. The Tractor Boys came incredibly close to clinching the title, falling just one point short of champions Leicester City. Their impressive style of play and possession-based tactics garnered a great deal of praise for both the team and their manager.
Nevertheless, McKenna’s growing reputation has forced Ipswich to fiercely defend their decision to appoint him as their leader for the upcoming Premier League era. This comes as Chelsea, Brighton, and Manchester United have expressed interest in acquiring his services. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
8). Sebastian Hoeness (Stuttgart)
The Bundesliga experienced a significant shake-up in the 2023-24 season. While Bayer Leverkusen made waves, Stuttgart also emerged as a major disrupter, capturing attention as well. Under Sebastian Hoeness, the team performed exceptionally well, finishing ahead of top clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
This achievement is even more impressive considering they were in the promotion-relegation play-off game just a year ago. Securing second place was a resounding achievement, as a 4-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on the final day overshadowed Bayern’s loss elsewhere.
After a long wait of 15 years, they are finally making their comeback to the prestigious Champions League. In a league where unexpected outcomes are quite common and teams that are not favoured are anticipated, Stuttgart has emerged as a delightful surprise in the Bundesliga this season, making significant progress in the standings to stay competitive with the top teams.
Sebastian Hoeness, the nephew of a Bayern Munich legend, has successfully led a group of players to secure a spot in the top four in Germany. One standout player in their ranks is the impressive Serhou Guirassy, who has been consistently finding the back of the net. It’s truly an incredible tale—one that has been overshadowed in a season where the most unlikely team secured the championship.
Nevertheless, it is truly remarkable that Stuttgart has made it back to the Champions League, considering the club’s recent struggles. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
7). Thiago Motta (Bologna)
Thiago Motta has been making a name for himself as an up-and-coming coach in Europe since he started his managerial career with PSG’s academy teams in 2018. His Bologna team seems poised to secure a spot in the Champions League this season, and his unique 2-7-2 possession strategy has caused quite a stir in Italian football. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
The team’s complete control of the ball has proven to be a formidable weapon, especially when it comes to punishing opponents in the attacking zones. Now, with rumours swirling about potential opportunities in Europe, there is a chance that Motta may soon bring his unconventional tactics to a new location outside of Italy.
In the 2023-24 season, several underdog clubs in Europe managed to shake up the usual hierarchy. After 60 years, Bologna returned to Europe’s top club competition under the leadership of Thiago Motta, making quite an impact in Italy. Their possession-based, high-risk playing style and strong defence caught the attention of many.
Despite coming in fifth place in Serie A, Italian teams in Europe this season put on an impressive show, earning a spot in the Champions League for the first time. Unfortunately, Motta won’t be staying to lead them on their journey, as Juventus came knocking. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
6). Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Pep Guardiola was unknowingly in the process of creating something formidable. The story is widely recognized at this point: achieving a trophy early on, completely dismantling an Arsenal side he once played for, and then reconstructing it to reflect his own style. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
After being on the receiving end of two smacks from Pep Guardiola during a Treble-winning season, it seemed like Arteta’s potential in the same division as his mentor had reached its limit. Looking ahead to one year, he has managed to outsmart Guardiola on three occasions this season, bringing his young team even closer to winning the title and creating the most impressive and skilled team in Europe.
Whenever there are doubts, they consistently prove themselves. Only Klopp, Mourinho, and Conte have truly challenged Pep in title races. Swap out Conte with Sir Alex Ferguson in that group of managers who achieved 100 wins in the Premier League at a faster pace.
This is the company that Arteta keeps these days. Contrary to popular opinion, he is on par with the elites rather than being an apprentice. It’s quite official now that Arsenal has proven itself as a prominent club once again.
Despite not winning any trophies in the 2023-24 season, the Gunners demonstrated that their previous Premier League title challenge was not a fluke. Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, they pushed Man City even harder this time, with the race for the title going down to the final day.
Coming in just two points behind the dominant City team is quite an accomplishment, and Arsenal fell just one point short of matching the legendary Invincibles’ record from 20 years ago. Their performance in the Champions League was quite impressive as well, although the Spaniard might be disappointed that they couldn’t defeat Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
5). Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Gian Piero Gasperini has finally received the recognition he deserves for leading the Atalanta side to the pinnacle of European soccer and securing his first trophy in a remarkable career. Their recent victory in the Europa League was truly remarkable. Ademola Lookman, who had previously struggled in the Premier League, delivered an outstanding hat-trick on the pitch. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
This triumph holds even greater significance as it marks the club’s first trophy in over 61 years. It is worth noting that this achievement came just a week after their disappointing loss in the Coppa Italia final. Furthermore, their impressive 3-0 victory put an emphatic end to Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten season.
People have given them various nicknames: Sheffield United under Chris Wilder, a team with exceptional knowledge, the unique creation of a mad scientist, and the most unconventional side in Europe. Their style of play is characterized by attacking in groups, with a focus on having more players in key areas.
They also excel at moving the ball from side to side, creating a dynamic and unpredictable game. Atalanta has a strong emphasis on positional interchange, where players seamlessly switch roles depending on the situation.
Defending against it may be becoming easier, but there’s still something truly marvellous about it when it succeeds. However, there is one manager who often goes unnoticed for their achievements, and that is Atalanta’s boss.
Before he arrived in 2016, the Bergamo side appeared to be heading towards relegation to Serie B. Under the Italian manager, Atalanta has consistently been a strong contender for European spots. They made history in 2019 by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s existence.
Atalanta has participated in the competition twice more under Gasperini’s leadership, showcasing the significant impact he has had on the team. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
4). Simone Inzaghi (Inter)
Could Simone Inzaghi also be considered one of Europe’s most underrated managers?! The Italian has certainly earned recognition for his achievement of winning the first Scudetto of his managerial career in 2023-24, and he did so with ease. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
Inter dominated the season, leaving their city rivals AC Milan far behind and securing their first Serie A crown since 2021. The title win was even more satisfying, as they sealed it with a victory over Milan in April.
Despite their disappointing exit from the Champions League in the last 16 at the hands of Atletico Madrid, their Scudetto win will surely compensate for it. Last season, they made it to the final, but this year’s campaign fell short of expectations.
Some critics initially criticized Inzaghi’s approach to Inter Milan, deeming it a little too cautious. However, considering the ups and downs the Nerazzurri have experienced in recent years, the Italian manager has brought a sense of stability that was beyond anyone’s expectations.
The transformation after Conte’s (undoubtedly effective) chaotic style of play has been truly remarkable. The transformation of Inter is evident, as they bear little resemblance to their former selves, both in terms of personnel and tactics.
Despite losing key players like Hakimi, Marcelo Brozovic, and Onana, the team has managed to grow even stronger. Inzaghi has achieved remarkable success, reaching a Champions League final, winning a Scudetto, and earning widespread praise as one of the most promising Italian managers of his time.
There are greater opportunities on the horizon, but for the time being, this individual has the potential to contribute to the resurgence of Serie A. Inter’s progress has been steady, and it’s not unreasonable to consider the possibility of a dynasty. The sceptics appear to have quieted down. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
3). Pep Guardiola (Man City)
When Pep Guardiola first emerged, some sceptics questioned his abilities. He was chosen over Jose Mourinho for the top position in Catalonia, not because of his experience but because of his unique philosophy. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
One of his initial significant choices at Camp Nou was to confront a board that opposed sending a young Lionel Messi to the Olympic Games. Pep passionately defended the positive impact it had on him during Barcelona ’92 and defied his superiors by sending the Flea to Beijing.
After nearly twenty years, there is no doubt about the credibility of his words: Josep Guardiola is the beating heart of football. The game is played worldwide, with teams striving to replicate the style of play that the Catalan coach introduced to modern football and continuously reinvented over time.
However, it’s not only the trophies he has won, the sheer dominance, or the exhilarating style of play that solidifies his status as the best. What truly sets him apart is his ability to constantly revamp his teams, revitalizing old principles and transforming them into an unstoppable force. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
Manchester City’s recruitment has been consistently impressive, consistently producing superstar players. During crucial moments in important matches, he displays an exceptional ability to outsmart his adversary. He consistently demonstrates exceptional foresight and strategic thinking.
Pep has a unique perspective on the game, like a detective in the dugout, uncovering hidden secrets in every detail. He remains ageless, unwavering, and consistently correct. It’s no surprise that Messi clinched the gold in 2008. Football, without a doubt, is his domain.
It was inevitable that Pep Guardiola would be included on this list, considering his reputation in the football world. But in their relentless pursuit of perfection, Manchester City fell short of repeating their treble feat of 2022-23, where they dominated both domestically and in Europe.
For a while, it seemed like they could achieve similar success, but this time they’ll have to be content with just winning the Premier League title. Unfortunately, they fell short against Champions League specialists Real Madrid in the quarterfinals and lost to their Manchester rivals United in the FA Cup final.
The performance of City throughout the campaign may have had its ups and downs, but their ability to bounce back and gather the necessary momentum to secure their fourth consecutive league title is a true testament to the manager’s leadership. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
2). Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Carlo Ancelotti’s hunger for trophies seems insatiable, and there is still room for improvement for his Real Madrid team this season. Following a disappointing campaign in 2022-23, Los Blancos and their manager have once again demonstrated their remarkable ability to bounce back.
Thanks to the addition of summer super signing Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid easily secured another La Liga title, leaving their Clasico rival Barcelona in the dust. Ancelotti couldn’t be happier, describing this as the best league campaign of his career. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
Madrid only suffered one defeat, kept an impressive 21 clean sheets, and conceded a mere 26 goals. The season has the potential to become even more exciting, as the dominant team in the Champions League is on the verge of achieving more European success.
After defeating favourites Man City and narrowly defeating Bayern Munich, Real is anticipated to triumph over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday, completing an extraordinary double. Carlo Ancelotti’s humble nature is evident as he effortlessly joins clubs with a roster of world-class players, seeking their input on the game plan.
The experienced Italian coach is known for his exceptional ability to adapt his management style to suit the atmosphere in any given situation. Even at the age of 64, he continues to demonstrate his mastery in this regard.
Don Carlo prioritizes the team above all else, going to great lengths to bring out the best in the group and ensure their satisfaction. However, his ability to enhance the skills of individuals is widely recognized and admired. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
Players like Pirlo, Kaka, Lampard, Bale, James, Vinicius, Benzema, and now Bellingham have all achieved superstar status under the watchful eye of his ever-raised eyebrow. He will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time—and possibly the most adored manager according to the votes of the players in the locker room.
1). Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
Having the opportunity to work under the guidance of esteemed coaches such as Guardiola, Ancelotti, Mourinho, Benitez, and Del Bosque undoubtedly equips you with a wealth of knowledge to bring to the sidelines. Read the Top 10 Best Football Managers in 2024 till the end.
Xabi Alonso has truly demonstrated his managerial potential in a remarkably short period, making him an obvious choice from the talented Spanish golden generation. Alonso’s Leverkusen has had an incredibly impressive full-debut season, one that will be remembered for a long time.
Alonso has completely changed the course of history by securing an unprecedented championship title, and what’s more, his team remained unbeaten throughout. This remarkable achievement came at the expense of perennial champions, and it was accomplished by relying on free transfers, underrated players, and the brilliance of Florian Wirtz.
Alonso’s tactical formation has been incredibly dominant, overpowering every opponent regardless of injuries or rotation. The team’s tactical prowess is truly impressive, and their coach has successfully cultivated a strong winning mindset.
Remarkably, they have managed to remain undefeated in all competitions up until this point in May. Alonso is truly exceptional and deserves to be recognized as one of the top performers in his field. If he keeps up this level of performance, he could surpass some of the legendary players he used to play with.
It was clear from the start who the ultimate victor would be. Amidst a season full of unexpected turns, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen emerged as the ultimate surprise, transforming ‘Neverkusen’ into ‘Neverlusen’.
Breaking Bayern Munich’s stronghold on the Bundesliga title is an incredibly difficult task, and going undefeated for the entire league season is truly remarkable. They were incredibly fortunate with numerous late equalisers and winners, but their luck was well-deserved, and they gained a lot of admirers for their forward-thinking, aggressive style of play.
Bayer had an outstanding season, finishing a remarkable 17 points ahead of Stuttgart, their closest rivals. Even more impressively, they managed to secure a first-ever Bundesliga title, finishing just one point ahead of Bayern.
In addition to his previous achievements, Alonso also led the team to the finals of both the Europa League and the DFB-Pokal. Their impressive unbeaten streak was undoubtedly rooted in their previous performance, leading to the remarkable achievement of winning both the league and cup titles just three days later.
This season will be remembered as one of the greatest ever, and Alonso has become a legendary figure in the history of Leverkusen and German football.
As we wrap up our analysis of the top 10 football managers of the 2023-2024 season, it’s important to recognize the impressive efforts of those who just fell short of making the list. The leadership of Christian Ilzer at Sturm Graz, the tactical brilliance of Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP, and the transformative impact of Michel on Girona have all been truly impressive.
In addition, the consistent leadership of Unai Emery at Aston Villa to UCL Football and the last perennial excellence of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool deserve recognition for their lasting impact on the world of soccer.
As we say goodbye to another exciting season of football, let’s give a round of applause to these notable players and look forward to their future contributions to the sport.
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