Top 30 Highest-Paid Football Managers Worldwide in 2026
Managing a football team at the highest level comes with intense pressure and little job security. A string of poor results can lead to dismissal, but those who succeed receive enormous salaries. The world of football sees massive financial deals, especially as clubs in leagues like the Saudi Pro League offer huge contracts to attract leading managers.
Here's a rundown of the 30 highest-earning football managers globally, covering club and international roles.
Managers Ranked 30th to 11th by Annual Salary
Some well-known names just outside the top 10 include England's Thomas Tuchel, earning £5 million yearly, matching figures for Michael Carrick at Manchester United, David Moyes at Everton, and Frank Lampard managing Coventry City. Newcastle United's Matthias Jaissle and Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany both earn £6 million annually. Tottenham's Roberto De Zerbi and Aston Villa's Unai Emery each receive £8 million, while Carlo Ancelotti commands £8.1 million coaching Brazil's national side.
- 30. Okan Buruk - Galatasaray - £4.2m
- 29. Nuno Espirito Santo - West Ham - £4.5m
- 28. Frank Lampard - Coventry City - £5m
- 27. Michael Carrick - Manchester United - £5m
- 26. David Moyes - Everton - £5m
- 25. Thomas Tuchel - England - £5m
- 24. Manuel Pellegrini - Real Betis - £5.1m
- 23. Mauricio Pochettino - USA - £5.1m
- 22. Maurizio Sarri - Atalanta - £5.3m
- 21. Matthias Jaissle - Newcastle United - £6m
- 20. Vincent Kompany - Bayern Munich - £6m
- 19. Cristian Chivu - Inter Milan - £6.3m
- 18. Ruben Amorim - AC Milan - £6.3m
- 17. Hansi Flick - Barcelona - £6.4m
- 16. Massimiliano Allegri - Napoli - £7.1m
- 15. Gian Piero Gasperini - AS Roma - £7.9m
- 14. Roberto De Zerbi - Tottenham - £8m
- 13. Unai Emery - Aston Villa - £8m
- 12. Carlo Ancelotti - Brazil - £8.1m
- 11. Luciano Spalletti - Juventus - £9.5m
Top 10 Highest-Paid Managers in 2026
Maresca stepped up after Pep Guardiola's exit, taking charge of Manchester City. Though filling Guardiola's shoes is no small task, Maresca has a star-studded squad and a demanding fanbase expecting immediate success. His £10 million contract comes with big pressure to secure trophies early in his tenure.
Despite claims that money wasn't his primary motive, Iraola signed a deal worth £10 million annually at Liverpool. This salary surpasses what predecessor Arne Slot earned, reflecting Liverpool's strong belief in his potential despite his lack of experience managing clubs on such a grand scale. Expectations remain sky-high.
After a tough stint at Nottingham Forest, Postecoglou joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr on a £10 million contract. Managing stars like Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, and Cristiano Ronaldo, possibly in his final playing season, will test the Australian coach's skills and adaptability.
Luis Enrique maintains a top-level reputation after success with Barcelona, including a treble-winning campaign. At PSG, he secured Ligue 1 titles and led the club to a historic treble with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan. His current salary is £10.2 million, with talks of a new contract pending further Champions League success.
Mourinho made headlines by returning to Real Madrid, replacing previous coaches and receiving significant compensation paid to Benfica. Known for winning La Liga with a record 100 points during his earlier stint, Mourinho aims to restore the club’s dominance with his hefty salary underlining expectations.
Chelsea's ownership, driven by Todd Boehly, spared no expense signing Alonso. Despite past tensions with Real Madrid's hierarchy, Alonso brings success from Bayer Leverkusen, where he won an unbeaten Bundesliga title. His high wages mark him as the Premier League's top-paid manager, a risky but potentially rewarding move.
Glasner, fresh off FA Cup and Europa Conference League wins with Crystal Palace, chose Nottingham Forest amid interest from bigger clubs. Forest rewarded him handsomely, hoping he can lift the team after a near relegation scare last season.
Arteta's new three-year deal makes him the fifth highest-paid manager globally. His work at Arsenal includes clearing out underperformers and installing a successful style of play. Last season, Arsenal clinched both the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, their first league title in 22 years.
Once the highest-paid manager worldwide, Simeone now ranks second but remains a dominant figure. He led Atletico to multiple La Liga titles and Champions League finals against rivals Real Madrid. Despite a challenging 2022/23 season, he earned a four-year contract extension, though at a reduced salary, keeping his status high among fans.
Inzaghi rose to prominence after restoring Inter Milan's domestic and European success, winning Serie A and reaching Champions League finals. Seeking new challenges, he moved to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, securing the highest managerial salary worldwide at £22.2 million a year.
Data source: Salary Leaks (updated August 29, 2026).
