Top 10 best young football managers in the world 2024

From a famous midfielder to a visionary manager, Spanish coach Xabi Alonso has had an amazing metamorphosis that makes him the best young football manager in the world. His impact at Bayer Leverkusen has been revolutionary, having assembled a team prepared to challenge and eventually overtake Bayern Munich's continuous Bundesliga supremacy. In the history of German football, this is an unparalleled success.

The amazing achievement of winning the Bundesliga title with an unblemished campaign at Leverkusen best illustrates Alonso's tactical sense and ability to bring his players into a self-assured, disciplined, and cohesive unit. Thanks in great part to his coaching philosophy—which is greatly influenced by his playing experiences under eminent coaches including Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Rafa Benítez—Alonso has developed a unique style of play that combines tactical precision, offensive fluidity, and flexibility.

Not only has this approach dominated the Bundesliga, but it has also raised Leverkusen to a level of cohesiveness and capability equivalent to the best in Europe.

Alonso also led Leverkusen to triumph in the German League Cup, adding even another trophy to their outstanding performance and proving his exceptional capacity to maintain top performance in all kinds of tournaments.

The only letdown of Leverkusen's remarkable campaign was a shock-inducing loss to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final. Still, this loss does not reduce their general performance; rather, it underlines the difficult competitive climate Alonso has skilfully negotiated.

At Leverkusen, his managing style is sophisticated since it combines strategic vision with a thorough awareness of the game he learnt while working with some of the most outstanding coaches.

Alonso has therefore become well-known in German football as a young manager with globally highly gifted strategic ability and outstanding talent. He has come to be a vital designer of one of the most outstanding teams of the future.

The development of Arsenal's Spanish coach Mikel Arteta from player to the second-best young manager in the world is evidence of the value of mentoring. Arteta's learning under Pep Guardiola surely shaped his attitude toward building a tactically disciplined, fast-paced team.

Since he took over a faltering Arsenal club in 2019, Arteta has rebuilt Arsenal's identity by bringing a new style of play that stresses defensive discipline and inventiveness back into Premier League contention.

Under his direction, Arsenal has achieved commendable feats like FA Cup triumphs, multiple Champions League qualifying runs, and reigniting of hopes for domestic titles.

By surpassing all of his predecessors with 100 victories in fewer games for Arsenal, he has created an environment that promotes development. This achievement is evidence of his analytical skills and attention to player development.

Apart from improving Arsenal's profile, Arteta has become one of the most talented young managers in Europe. His method, which blends youthful vitality with a comprehensive knowledge of tactical transitions, has helped him to maintain long-term improvement inside a competitive league system.

Rising quickly through the European coaching ranks, Julian Nagelsmann has become not just one of the best young football managers but also one of the most creative individuals in contemporary sport. His success comes directly from his special combination of tactical inventiveness, flexibility, and strong analytical, data-driven management commitment.

Nagelsmann started managing Hoffenheim at an incredibly young age, and he made history by guiding them into the Champions League. He is well-known for his adventurous approach and open readiness to try unorthodox tactics.

He strengthened his visionary reputation at RB Leipzig by using a high-intensity, flexible approach easily modified to fit the demands of different competitions. This approach helped the team get to its first-ever Champions League semifinal.

In his new role as head coach of the German national team, Nagelsmann presents an unmatched chance to inspire a team desperately in need of a change.

When Motta started his coaching career with Genoa in 2019, he faced significant challenges and developed his plans in the face of adversity. He then moved to Spezia, where he effectively reached the important goal of guaranteeing the Serie A membership of the team. Thus, among Europe's young managers, Motta is one of the most tactically astute.

Motta's ability to turn small teams into tough opponents in the very competitive Italian Serie A is quite impressive. The Italian really thrived in Bologna, where his approach to the game—which combines clever offensive ventures with outstanding defence—helped the squad to become one of the most powerful defensive units in the league.

Thanks to a strategy sometimes described as an intentional homage to Jose Mourinho's playbook from his best years, Bologna outperformed some of Europe's more established defensive behemoths, such as PSG, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus.

A turning point in his career, the UEFA Champions League qualification he helped Bologna reach—their first since 1964–65—not only built his reputation but also demonstrated his strategic sense and capacity to raise the goals of a team.

His deliberate approach to his management career is shown by his measured exit from Bologna following an unparalleled 68-point performance. Motta's appointment as head coach at Juventus, one of the most venerable teams in Europe, allows him to now more clearly cement his imprint and legacy.

Among the most outstanding young managers in world football is Spaniard Xavi Hernández. He has built a reputation for himself by combining the strategic intelligence, in-depth knowledge of player dynamics, and dedication to the basic ideas he developed during his outstanding playing career with the demands of administrative leadership.

Xavi proved his management skills in 2019 when he guided Al Sadd to notable success—including the acquisition of seven trophies in just two and a half years.

Along with his tactical flexibility, this success demonstrated his ability to foster a winning attitude within a diverse team. Imitating the direction of coaches like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola, he honed his tiki-taka technique while playing for Al Sadd, impacting his coaching philosophy.

Xavi's coaching credentials were tested under great strain when he returned to Barcelona, where expectations are as high as the club's storied heritage.

His outstanding awareness of the psychological elements of management led him to use stricter disciplinary policies and give player development top priority. This demonstrated his belief that, often, effective management is more important than technical expertise.

Under his direction, Barcelona turned remarkably from mid-table mediocrity to a La Liga title triumph in the 2022–23 season, a monument to his ability to inspire and push players to attain their best potential.

By means of his reflective style, which gives empathy and understanding for players top priority, Xavi has created a unified dressing room environment indispensable for negotiating the demands of modern sport.

Being a manager at all levels, he has the ability to have a major influence since he combines technical knowledge, life experience, and wisdom gained from a long playing career. Xavi is among the most exciting young managers in the game because of his commitment to the club's values, tactical sense, and emotional intelligence.

Rúben Amorim has transformed Portuguese football and is thus one of the best young managers in the world. As coach, he revived Sporting CP and rebuilt them as the team to beat in the Primeira Liga.

Given the club's past of institutional instability before Amorim arrived, this was an incredible turn around.

Young Portuguese footballers like Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Inácio have ascended thanks in significant part to Amorim's creative strategies, which give intense pressing, rapid transitions top priority and a dynamic, youthful approach top priority.

Because of his many achievements—including the 19-year league title drought he ended at Sporting as manager in his first season—he is a highly sought-after prospect for major managerial roles among Europe's top teams.

With an eye towards an appointment with Manchester United, Amorim cements his ranking as one of the most promising young managers in Europe. His flexible and forward-thinking ideas make him a perfect candidate for a club that gives tactical innovation and a young-driven resurrection top priority.

Italian-German manager Domenico Tedesco has shown flexibility, tenacity, and progress in the face of many demanding conditions due to his strategic vision and tactical aptitude. Having led Spartak Moscow to a title challenge in the Russian Premier League, he stood out as a manager who could greatly effect results amidst difficult situations.

With an extraordinary unbeaten run in his first matches following his appointment as head coach of the Belgian national team, Tedesco proved his ability to adapt to a range of footballing cultures and pressures. Though initially successful in friendly games, his managerial choices have come under close examination following the underwhelming performance of the national squad in the European Championship.

Still, his whole career record reveals that he is a gifted and aspirational manager who can fit the fast-paced nature of international football and become one of the greatest.

Among the most intriguing young managers in the realm of modern football is Italian Domenico De Zerbi. His reputation rests on his exceptional talent development skills, commitment to attractive and attacking play, and original methods.

Though his management career was characterised by ups and downs during the teething phase, including a brief but stormy phase that resulted in his dismissal at Palermo, his later duties spoke to his real talents and passion for the game.

Despite Benevento's demotion, De Zerbi's possession-based football approach was much praised since it proved his knowledge of the game's basic ideas and his ability to apply them in less-than-ideal circumstances.

During this formative phase, he was able to hone his technique even more, which helped turn Sassuolo into a Serie A juggernaut.

Under his direction, Sassuolo accomplished an incredible achievement by finishing in eighth position two years running.

Managing Shakhtar Donetsk, he became the first Italian manager to win the Ukrainian Super Cup and gained a lot of respect. He made this possible by keeping his team competitive under trying conditions.

Joining Brighton & Hove Albion, where he could apply his tactical vision and foster a strong attitude among the squad, De Zerbi reached the height of his career.

Under De Zerbi's direction, Brighton moved from a midtable team to one contending for a place in Europe, with the Italian proving his naturally suitability for the demanding Premier League environment by combining tactical flexibility with a strong focus on player development.

The unique qualities that define De Zerbi from his contemporaries are his relentless dedication to the growth of a strong team spirit and the encouragement of an exciting playing style. These qualities appeal to supporters as much as to players.

Emphasising possession and offensive purpose, his approach reflects a profound awareness of the changing dynamics of modern football. Already regarded as one of the top young managers worldwide, his influence is growing consistently.

Combining tactical intelligence, adaptability, and ambition has defined the remarkable rise of Italian Enzo Maresca to rank among world football's most promising young managers. Though he initially lacked professional coaching qualifications, he started as an assistant for Serie B team Ascoli in 2017. He picked priceless nuggets from more seasoned trainers throughout this period.

In 2020, he developed his career further by joining Manchester City's Elite Development Squad. Leading a young team to the Premier League 2 championship, he proved his strategic vision and ability for nurturing new talent.

Though it was eventually unfulfilled, Maresca persisted in his journey to Parma, boldly facing challenges and proving his desire for promotion. Another priceless educational opportunity was returning to Manchester City in 2022 as an assistant to Pep Guardiola.

Working with the outstanding tactician gave Maresca a priceless understanding of high-press systems and possession-based strategy. His future managerial style will be informed by this awareness.

Maresca's appointment as manager in 2023 projected Leicester City’s season in the Championship to stratospheric heights. As manager, the team attained record success, with Enzo winning multiple Manager of the Month medals and eventually promotion.

During his productive stint at Leicester, he became renowned in England for his innovative tactics and leadership qualities.

Under his leadership at Chealsa, which has been greatly influenced by Guardiola as demonstrated by his prioritising of structured defence along with offensive impetus, The Blues had their most successful start to a season since 2021, with Maresca also receiving his first Premier League Manager of the Month title.

German-Croatian coach Edin Terziç has become well-known in the sphere of football management thanks to his capacity to inspire and motivate his clubs. This was most clear-cut during his time at Borussia Dortmund, where he combined tactical discipline with offensive panache to revive the club's ambitions on the national and continental levels.

During a turbulent 2022–23 Bundesliga, Terzič led Dortmund to the brink of title triumph, with Bayern Munich eventually victorious on the last day, only on goal difference.

Despite this setback, Terzić guided Dortmund to an excellent 5th place result in the next 2023–24 season, thereby guaranteeing direct entry into the prestigious Champions League.

Terzić oversaw Dortmund's outstanding Champions League campaign that year, which witnessed a semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain before a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid in the final.

After a season that was both demanding and rewarding, Terzić left Borussia Dortmund on June 13, 2024, at will.