Top 10 Highest Paid Football Managers in The World- 2025

A football manager’s job is extremely difficult since the pressure from the fans, board and the team is very intense. The highest paid football managers in the world certainly either justify their pay or have done so in the past. Being a football manager means helping the team win trophies and more importantly get through the bad periods. The amount of money which players receive has grown exponentially and the pay-grade has increased for the managers as well. The best teams in the top-leagues pay their managers a handsome amount of money to get consistent and efficient results in return. Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest paid football managers in the world.

10) Vincent Kompany – Bayern Munich – £6.7 million

Many might say that Vincent Kompany does not deserve to be a manager at a legendary and big club like Bayern Munich however it is too early to say. Kompany’s first season at Bayern Munich is bound to be under a lot of pressure since Bayer Leverkusen won the league just a month before Kompany joined ending Bayern Munich’s streak. Furthermore, Kompany does not have a lot of experience in the past as a manager compared to other high-profile managers who were also in the race for the Bayern Munich manager role. Nonetheless, Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany have had a great start to the season losing only one match in the Bundesliga and are sitting in first place.

9) Arne Slot – Liverpool – £6.8 million

Slot’s signing and replacement was highly recommended by Jurgen Klopp and this might be the best managerial signing this season. Arne Slot has picked up where Klopp left and has definitely maintained the standard if not improved it. The brilliant standard of consistency and dominance from Liverpool which everyone saw under Jurgen Klopp is definitely present under Arne Slot as well. Since Slot’s arrival, Liverpool have beat Real Madrid, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspurs and some more big teams in the 2024-2025 season. Liverpool have lost only one game in the Premier League and have a six point advantage over them with a game in hand ( as of January 7th, 2025). In the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool are unbeaten winning six out six games in the league stage. This alone shows how exemplary Arne Slot’s management is and if he provides results consistently, then he can definitely match Jurgen Klopp’s legacy at Liverpool.

Also Read: Ranking the 15 highest paid football managers in the world currently

8) Luis Enrique – Paris Saint-Germain – £7.5 million

The pressure at Paris Saint-Germain is always intense. Winning the Ligue Un is a pre-requisite for each manager since PSG are by far the strongest team in the French league. However, the main pressure which is always laid on each manager is to win the UEFA Champions League. The closest PSG came to winning it was in 2020. The 2024-2025 UCL seems more difficult than before since PSG no longer have the likes of Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, or Lionel Messi to help them. PSG have entered a new phase and are rebuilding itself with quality youngsters and talented players rather than just big superstar players.

The drawback here for Luis Enrique is that even a manager of his calibre cannot succeed so quickly. Luis Enrique who has won multiple trophies in his managerial career with his best achievement being the Sextuple at Barcelona in 2015 cannot possibly come close to winning the UCL with PSG so quickly. Although PSG are first and unbeaten in the Ligue 1 winning 14 matches, they are in 26th position and are under-performing in the UCL losing three matches out of six. Their chances to make it to the top eight in the UCL league stage are next to impossible considering their current stats.

7) Unai Emery – Aston Villa – £8 million

Aston Villa have transformed under Unai Emery’s arrival since 2022. Unai Emery definitely justifies his spot in the list of highest paid football managers in the world. Unai’s best season was the 2023-2024 season in which Aston Villa qualified for the UCL. Aston Villa secured the 4th place in the 2023-2024 season of the Premier League above the likes of big clubs such as Tottenham Hotspurs, Chelsea and Manchester United with 68 points . Although Aston Villa are yet to pick up pace in the the 2024-2025 season of the Premier League, they are doing well in the UCL winning four matches, drawing one match and losing one match.

6) Jorge Jesus – Al-Hilal – £8.4 million

Al-Hilal have bolstered Jorge Jesus with multiple signings and a lot funds as well. The club’s main motive is to actively win the Saudi Pro League rivaling Al-Nassr and dominate in the AFC Champions League as well. Jorge Jesus has already delivered results in the 2023-2024 season with Al – Hilal winning the league with a dominant 96 points.

5) Jose Mourinho – Fenerbahce – £8.9 million

The ” Special One ” has won multiple trophies at various clubs throughout his career. Jose Mourinho’s best achievement was winning the UEFA Champions League with an underrated team like Porto. Now, Fenerbahce have appointed Jose Mourinho for his services to help them contend with Galatasaray for the league title. As of now, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are second in the table with 39 points in 17 games. Fenerbahce are not doing well in the Europa League sitting in 21st spot winning two matches out of six played.

4) Carlo Ancelotti – Real Madrid – £9.6 million

Ancelotti is one of the best managers of modern football and is definitely amongst the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. Carlo is Real Madrid’s most successful manager winning 15 trophies with them and overall has also won one of the most trophies as a manager. Carlo’s latest achievement at Real Madrid was winning the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in the 2023-2024 season. Real Madrid are off to an inconsistent start in the 2024-2025 season despite signing star Kylian Mbappe and are struggling as well however Carlo and Real Madrid have pulled their way through tough times before and will definitely find a way to do so in the 2024-2025 season.

3) Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid – £10.1 million

The Diego Simeone effect at Atletico Madrid has been phenomenal since under his era, the club has seen a lot of changes and glory as well. Although, Simeone is criticized for his defensive style of play, the results are commendable. Under Simeone, the club has won the La Liga not once but twice which is very commendable considering the dominance of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid have also reached two UCL finals under Simeone losing both against Real Madrid. However, Atletico Madrid did win the Europa League in 2017. These accolades combined with Simeone’s other achievements at Atletico Madrid justify him being third in the list of top 10 highest paid football managers in the world. As of now, Atletico Madrid are giving tough competition to Real Madrid and FC Barcelona inthe 2024-2025 La Liga season.

2) Mikel Arteta – Arsenal – £15 million

Just like Atletico have regained their status as contenders in La Liga and UCL under Diego Simeone, Arsenal have also regained their status as contenders in Premier League and UCL under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are the only team alongside Liverpool to give a tough challenge to the dominant Manchester City in the Premier League. Although Arteta has won only the FA Cup since his arrival and has not won the League or the UCL with Arsenal, his influence and effect are commendable. Arteta who used to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager has definitely learned a lot from his teacher and is implementing it efficiently. As of the 2024-2025 season, The Gunners are second in the Premier League and third in the UEFA Champions League league stage ( as of 7th January, 2025).

1) Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – £20 million

Winning six Premier League titles, winning four PL titles for four seasons consecutively, winning one UCL and many other commendable titles. All of these have been set by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and some of them are unbreakable. Pep’s trophies and transformation with Manchester City in a span of eight seasons definitely justify his number-one position as the highest paid manager in football. The 2024-2025 season has been off to a rough start for Manchester City performing poorly as per their standards in the Premier League and the UCL losing multiple matches. This is due to the injuries of key players however Pep’s team always makes a comeback midway in the season and always shocks the other teams. The former FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is definitely one of the best managers of all time and will help Manchester City regain their glory.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paid Footballers in the World- RANKED