The Top Ten Soccer Coaching Salaries in the World
Whether you prefer to call it football or soccer, it’s the planet’s most popular professional sport. What started out well over a century ago as a neighborhood hobby and a friendly game has turned into a huge industry that generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. When it comes to pro soccer teams, it’s not just star players that are celebrities but the coaches who help their teams become successful. As the world of professional soccer has become a big money maker, the salaries of the league’s top coaches have grown as well. Here are the top ten soccer coaching salaries in the world.
10. Manuel Pallegrini – $5.75 million
Hebei China Fortune’s head coach got his start in professional soccer as a player in Chile. Once he retired from playing centre back, Manuel Pallegrini returned to his native Chile to start coaching teams. He also coached in Ecuador, Spain, and Argentina before going on to his current position in the Chinese Super League. Interestingly, Manuel Pallegrini isn’t just a former footballer and current coach, he also has the formal education to qualify him to work as a civil engineer. Not that he would need to, however, as his salary is well over $5 million.
9. Jurgen Klopp – $6 million
Jurgen Klopp is head coach of Liverpool’s Premier League club. The German standout started out as a player and had an impressive career before becoming a manager. The former striker and defender was born in Stuttgart, Germany and began his journey into football as a junior player with TuS Ergenzingen. Most of Jurgen Klopp’s professional career was spent paying for Mainz 05, and he was with the team from 1990 until 2001. Once he decided to retire, he took Eckhard Krautzun’s place as the team’s manager in February 2001. In addition to earning a salary as a coach, Jurgen Klopp earns money as a sports commentator and through lucrative endorsements with companies such as Puma.
8. Jorge Jesus – $6.26 million
The current coach of Sporting CP has a ton of experience on the field behind him. Jorge Jesus started out as a midfielder and played for 12 clubs in his 17 year career. 1990 marked the first year that he began coaching, and his track record includes winning ten major titles with Benfica. After leaving Benfica, Jorge Jesus signed a three year contract with Sporting CP in the summer of 2015. His contract was renewed in 2016, and now he earns over $6.26 million per year.
7. Gerardo Martino – $7.5 million
One of the largest soccer coaching salaries in the sport belongs to Gerardo Martino, also known as Tata. Like most great coaches, Martino was first a professional footballer. As an attacking midfielder, he spent most of his playing career with Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina. After retirement he went on to manage FC Barcelona and then coach the Argentine national team. Martino is the current coach of Atlanta United FC.
6. Arsene Wenger – $10 million
Arsene Wenger is a huge name in the world of professional soccer, and that’s part of the reason why he earns one of the sport’s largest soccer coaching salaries. The French native was a professional midfielder who went on to be known not only for his talent but for how he revolutionized the way that European players trained and dieted. His father first introduced him to soccer, as he was the manager of their town’s local team. Now a coach himself, Arsene Wenger continues to be successful and has earned loads of honors, awards, and accolades.
5. Fabio Capello – $13 million
Fabio Capello has a sports legacy behind him as his uncle was Mario Tortul, a well regarded pro soccer player. When Fabio got into the sport he started out in his native Italy where he won the Coppa Italia several times. When he retired from playing and began coaching Fabio Capello stayed with Milan, the team he’d had so much success with. Fabio Capello moved on to manage England’s national team in 2007 and then coached the Russian national football team from 2012 to 2015. Though he was replaced by Leonid Slutsky, he’s still one of the highest earning coaches in soccer.
4. Carlo Ancelotti –Â $13.7 million
Former soccer player Carlo Ancelotti has a long history in the sport, and he’s the current coach of Bayern Munich. He has the distinction of being the only soccer manager to win the UEFA Champions League three times while also reaching four separate finals. During his playing days he was a midfielder who was hugely successful, and he continued that streak when he started coaching for some of the world’s top teams.
3. Marcello Lippi – $14 million
Few former soccer players or current coaches have the stellar reputation that Marcello Lippi enjoys. The Italin former defender is noted as being a very successful player, as well as one of the most successful managers in the history of pro soccer. When you look at his track record, there’s little wonder why he ranks high as far as soccer coaching salaries go. The award winning coach has won a slew of honors, and he was appointed manager of China’s national football team in late 2016.
2. Jose Mourinho – $17 million
One of the most well known soccer teams in the world is Manchester United, and the super popular club’s coach is Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese former central midfielder currently ranks as one of the best managers in the game, and he’s also well educated in sports science. Mourinho has worked with a number of high profile teams during his career including Porto, Benfica, Chelsea, and Inter Milan.
1. Pep Guardiola – $24 million
You can hardly talk soccer without mentioning Pep Guardiola these days, and he pulls the biggest salary of any pro soccer coach. His resume is quite impressive and he started in soccer as a defensive midfielder. After enjoying a successful career due to his immense talent, Pep Guardiola made his mark as a coach. He’s currently manager of Manchester City.