Midfield maestro to master tactician, that’s the story of these amazing personalities who have not only impacted the beautiful game as a player but also as a successful manager.
In football, the role of a midfielder is considered the most versatile and cerebral on the field, with their responsibility hinged on controlling the tempo of play for their team.
Considering how cerebral and important the role of a midfielder is, we’ll take a look at some of the most successful and influential football managers who were amazing midfielders during their playing days.
1. Pep Guardiola (Spain)
Pep Guardiola is often regarded as one of the finest coaches ever to grace the touchline. His innovative tactical approaches have made him one of the most successful managers in modern football.
As a player, Guardiola was a brilliant midfielder, most notably during his time at Barcelona. He later played at Brescia, A.S. Roma, Al Ahli SC, and Dorados de Sinaloa before retiring in 2006.
Known for his footballing intelligence, vision, and ability to control the tempo of the game, these traits helped him transition seamlessly into coaching.
After taking the helm at Barcelona, Guardiola went on to achieve immense success with Bayern Munich and Manchester City, revolutionizing football with his tactical philosophies.
2. Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)
Carlo Ancelotti, often referred to as “Don Carlo,” had a distinguished career as a midfielder during the 1980s with top Serie A clubs.
His versatility, calmness under pressure, and intelligence on the ball laid the foundation for a successful coaching career managing some of the biggest clubs in world football, including AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
His impressive trophy collection includes numerous league titles and Champions League victories, cementing his place as one of the most successful coaches of his era.
Ancelotti’s ability to stay composed even in the most chaotic situations has been one of his trademarks, both as a player and a manager.
10 Youngest Africans Managers 2025
3. Zinedine Zidane (France)
Zinedine Zidane, often called “Zizou,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to ever play the game.
Known for his elegance, sublime touch, and unrivalled vision, Zidane’s playing style made him a legend at clubs like Juventus, Real Madrid, and the French national team.
After retiring from playing, Zidane swiftly transitioned into coaching, taking the helm at Real Madrid and in a short time, he became one of the most successful managers in the world, winning multiple Champions League titles and La Liga trophies.
Zidane’s tactical acumen and leadership were honed during his playing days, allowing him to seamlessly guide his teams to success.
4. Diego Simeone (Argentina)
Diego Simeone, known as “El Cholo,” was a fierce, intelligent, and tenacious midfielder who played for top clubs in Spain, Italy, and Argentina.
His combative style, work ethic, and tactical intelligence made him one of the standout midfielders of his generation.
After retiring in 2006, Simeone transitioned into management and quickly became one of the most respected coaches in world football, with his team’s never say die attitude depicting his managerial philosophy.
Top Managers With the Most Trophies in Football History
5. Antonio Conte (Italy)
Antonio Conte was a tireless, aggressive midfielder known for his relentless running and pressing, and as a coach is approach epitomizes hard-work, organization, and aggression which is been felt at Napoli presently.
His playing style, defined by leadership and tactical discipline, helped him stand out in Italy’s Serie A, particularly with Juventus, where he later became a legendary coach.
As a manager, Conte has become famous for his tactical system, particularly the 3-5-2 formation, which has led to success at clubs like Juventus and Chelsea.
6. Luis Enrique (Spain)
Luis Enrique is another Spanish coach who made a significant impact both as a player and a manager.
As a player, Enrique contributed to top clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as the Spanish national team, with his ability to score goals and his leadership on the field.
After retiring, Luis Enrique transitioned to coaching, where he became known for his tactical acumen and his implementation of Barcelona’s tiki-taka style with focus on possession and quick transitions which has brought his team success.
Top 10 Youngest Managers in Premier League History
7. Xabi Alonso (Spain)
Xabi Alonso, known for his exceptional passing range and footballing intelligence, had an illustrious career playing for clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
He was a master of controlling the pace of the game, often dictating play from deep in midfield before he bid the beautiful game farewell.
Alonso has quickly started building his managerial career reputation by winning titles in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, with his tactical understanding and leadership on the touch-line which makes him one of the most promising managers in football today.
5 Best Youngest French Managers 2025
8. Didier Deschamps (France)
Didier Deschamps may not have been the flashiest midfielder, but his leadership and work rate made him a key figure in both the French national team and at club level.
Deschamps won major trophies as a player, including the 1998 World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
After retiring, Deschamps became the manager of France, leading them to victory in the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League.
His tactical discipline, ability to manage personalities, and focus on teamwork helped him achieve success both as a player and as a coach.
9. Frank Rijkaard (Netherlands)
Frank Rijkaard was a brilliant defensive midfielder known for his elegance on the ball and tactical awareness.
The legendary midfielder enjoyed a successful playing career with Ajax, AC Milan, and the Dutch national team.
As a coach, Rijkaard led Barcelona to a Champions League title in 2006 and a La Liga championship in 2005, with his ability to blend attacking flair with defensive solidity during his tenure.
10. Miguel Muñoz (Spain)
Miguel Muñoz enjoyed a long and successful career with Real Madrid as both a player and coach.
As a midfielder, he was part of the legendary Real Madrid teams that dominated European football in the 1950s and 1960s.
Muñoz’s managerial career was equally impressive, leading Real Madrid to multiple La Liga titles and five European Cups, solidifying his place as one of the club’s most successful figures.
His legacy as both a player and coach remains a benchmark in Spanish football till date.
10 Best Youngest Spanish Managers | 2025
Conclusion:
These managers have not only excelled at tactical innovation but have also been able to nurture and develop their tactical acumen before transitioning into football management to become one of the finest.
You Might Also Want To Read This
(Visited 19 times, 1 visits today)
