ESPN has unveiled a ranking of Europe’s 30 best club football coaches, judging them on a 100-point scale across several criteria: coaching intuition, style of play, managerial skills, interaction with players and the media, career achievements, and the ability to surprise with innovative solutions. The ranking excludes coaches who have not managed clubs for more than a year and those who currently coach national teams.
Top of the list
– Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain) — 86/100
– Arne Slot (Liverpool) — 2nd
– Josep Guardiola (Manchester City) — 3rd
Full ESPN ranking of Europe’s football coaches
1. Luis Enrique (Paris Saint‑Germain)
2. Arne Slot (Liverpool)
3. Josep Guardiola (Manchester City)
4. Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
5. Hansi Flick (Barcelona)
6. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
7. Antonio Conte (Napoli)
8. Simone Inzaghi (Inter)
9. Gian Piero Gasperini (Roma)
10. Ernesto Valverde (Athletic Bilbao)
11. Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
12. Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
13. Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
14. Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
15. Eddie Howe (Newcastle United)
16. Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid)
17. Thomas Frank (Tottenham Hotspur)
18. Roberto De Zerbi (Marseille)
19. Vincent Kompany (Bayern)
20. Massimiliano Allegri (Milan)
21. Thiago Motta (unattached)
22. Ange Postecoglou (unattached)
23. Brendan Rodgers (Celtic)
24. Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
25. Marco Silva (Fulham)
26. Erik ten Hag (Bayer)
27. Fabian Hürzeler (Brighton & Hove Albion)
28. David Moyes (Everton)
29. Nuno Espírito Santo (Nottingham Forest)
30. Dino Toppmöller (Eintracht)
Related chatter in football circles
– Reports circulating around the sport mention Manchester United pausing their interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma, amid ongoing keeper discussions.
– Other whispers suggest Pep Guardiola could be considering Rodrygo for future moves.
– Thomas Frank has not yet named Tottenham’s captain, leaving a leadership question open at the club.
What this means for fans and clubs
– The list underscores a broad, global wave of coaching talent shaping Europe’s top leagues, with a mix of long-established methodical leaders and newer tacticians pushing for innovation.
– It highlights how managerial philosophy—rather than only trophy cabinet success—continues to drive reputations, influence recruitment, and impact club strategies.
– For clubs, the ranking may spark discussions about the value of creative systems, player development, and adaptability across different leagues and pressures.
Summary and takeaways
– ESPN’s ranking places Luis Enrique at the top, followed by Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola, with a diverse group of coaches from major European clubs filling the rest of the top spots.
– The list reflects a landscape where tactical evolution, player relations, and career achievements all factor into how coaches are perceived, beyond just silverware.
– Ongoing transfer rumors and leadership questions at various clubs add context to how coaching influence and mobility continue to shape the sport.
A hopeful angle
– The spread of coaches across many leagues and styles suggests European club football remains dynamic and full of opportunities for innovative tactics, talent development, and ambitious projects that can redefine era-defining squads in the seasons ahead.