ไทย
English
中國人
Back in 1998, former World Cup-winning West German coach Franz Beckenbauer predicted: "I can see a time, not too far off, when all the biggest matches will be between clubs, not nations."
That prediction has certainly proven true, yet the movement of top-tier managers has gone in the opposite direction. Seven of the last 11 Champions League trophies have been claimed by coaches who are now leading national sides.
Set aside Luis Enrique, and the last manager to win European club football's ultimate prize who remains at a club is José Mourinho—and even he reportedly declined an approach from Portugal before heading to Real Madrid.
International management brings a lighter schedule, the thrill of the World Cup and, increasingly, a generous salary. That said, some managers are rewarded far more handsomely than others.
Jump to:
Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini and his Emporio Armani suit jacket. pic.twitter.com/BIGrRU5sap
Roberto Mancini's pay arrangements have come under considerable scrutiny of late. There are reportedly no "dual contracts" upon his return to the Italian federation—at least on the surface. The terms of Mancini's single deal are believed to be worth $2.3 million (€2 million), per Gazzetta dello Sport.
Given the amount of groveling the Euro 2020 champion has had to endure, repeatedly seeking forgiveness after deserting Italy for a far more lucrative role with Saudi Arabia, he may well be content with whatever he receives.
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane (1998) pic.twitter.com/toeLehj40O
Zinedine Zidane's appointment as France manager is hardly driven by financial incentive. As the nation's legendary No. 10 demonstrated when he lost himself in an emotional celebration of Michael Olise's winner against Belgium, this is very much a labor of love.
During his five years of self-imposed managerial absence, Zidane turned down numerous job offers to stay out of the spotlight, waiting patiently before stepping into the role eventually vacated by Didier Deschamps. "I've said it many times: there's nothing greater than the French national team," he declared at his official presentation.
While it may be his dream role, Zidane won't come cheaply. L'Équipe reports the former Real Madrid head coach is earning $4.1 million (€3.6 million) annually before taxes.
Luis de la Fuente
For all the focus on marquee names, the manager who currently holds both the European Championship and World Cup is the ultimate federation loyalist, having not managed a club side since 2011.
Luis de la Fuente guided Spain to glory in the United States on a relatively modest salary of $2.3 million (€2 million). A new six-year contract signed following that triumph has pushed the Basque coach's earnings beyond $4.6 million, according to The Athletic. Given his achievements, it remains exceptional value.
"I was born to be a national team manager," De la Fuente has stated, with ample justification. Across his first 50 matches in charge, the former Athletic Bilbao fullback accumulated more major trophies (three) than defeats (two).
Mauricio Pochettino
When Mauricio Pochettino first took charge of the U.S. men's national team in 2024, he instantly became the highest-paid coach in the history of the position. U.S. Soccer had to call upon financial backer Ken C. Griffin to fund a deal worth approximately $6 million annually, per ESPN.
It represented a pay reduction compared to his Chelsea wages but was significantly more than his predecessor Gregg Berhalter, who was entitled to $2.3 million for guiding the USMNT to the 2022 World Cup round of 16.
Pochettino is expected to earn even more after signing a new contract following the team's run to the same stage of the 2026 World Cup on home turf. The Argentine is now not only the senior team manager, but has also been entrusted with "the broader development of the full national team pathway, youth soccer, coaching education, professional league collaboration and other technical facets across the soccer community." No pressure, then.
Thomas Tuchel
"It's 18 months and then we agreed to sit together and we'll see," Thomas Tuchel said when he signed his initial short-term deal with England. "I have good experience with 18 months, unfortunately sometimes. I'm working on my long-term game!"
The first German manager of the Three Lions managed to persuade the football authorities that he deserved a contract extension through to the 2028 European Championship, which came with an increase on his $6.6 million (£5 million) annual salary, per BBC Sport.
Even after overseeing a fundamental dismantling of the nation's footballing "DNA" and presiding over arguably the worst 20 minutes in England's World Cup history, Tuchel retained the full support of the Football Association.
Jurgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp may be pocketing a salary of around $8 million (£6 million) per year, as reported by BBC Sport, but he has made it crystal clear that he would walk away at the first sign of media hostility.
"If you behave badly and don't leave my family in peace then I'll be gone, I'll just turn away," Klopp told journalists gathered at his introductory press conference with Germany.
"I know there are other countries where national team coaches are treated even worse. I'm not doing this job for myself, I'm doing it for you. I'm taking this job even though I've seen how you've treated Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
"I love this job but I am always ready to call it quits if need be."
Carlo Ancelotti
Don Carlo keeps his head, when all around are losing theirs. pic.twitter.com/y342UYCjZz
Carlo Ancelotti has been around long enough to know the importance of securing a contract extension before a major international tournament. Brazil suffered its earliest World Cup exit since 1990, yet the embodiment of composure on the touchline had a deal running until 2030 to fall back on.
Ancelotti's shrewdly negotiated deal did not include a salary increase, but when you are already pulling in $12 million per year, according to ESPN, that's hardly a concern.
Brazil has made Ancelotti the highest-paid manager in the world in an attempt to dramatically reverse the fortunes of a fallen giant that has now been eliminated in the knockout rounds by the first European opponent it has faced at each of the last six World Cups.