When we talk about the top 10 best young managers in world football right now, we surely take the eyes of managers like Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta, and Julian Nagelsmann. Apart from them, there are a lot of exceptional managers entering with modern tactics and approaches.
Football is evolving day by day, and new tactics and new minds are always welcomed in football. A young manager can surely bring a lot of things to the table, such as tactical innovations, adaptability, cultural Relevance, open-mindedness, and more.
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Top 10 Best Young Football Managers in World
The following list is based on the managers who are under the age of 45 and the competitiveness of the league they’re working in or have worked in.
10. Fabian Hurzeler (31) – Brighton
Hurzeler, one of the youngest managers in top-flight football, made an immediate impact with Brighton, highlighting possession-based football and tactical organization.
His approach tries to build young talent while establishing a synchronised team structure. Through his somewhat unorthodox methods, Hurzeler has put Brighton on the map as a competitive side in the Premier League.
| Full Name | Fabian Marc Hurzeler |
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | German |
| Playing Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Youth Career | Bayern Munich (2004–2012) |
| Senior Career | Bayern Munich II, Hoffenheim II, 1860 Munich II, FC Pipinsried, Eimsbütteler TV |
| Managerial Debut | 2016 (Player-Coach at FC Pipinsried) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | FC Pipinsried, FC St. Pauli |
| Current Club | Brighton & Hove Albion (since 2024) |
| Notable Achievements | Youngest permanent Premier League head coach (age 31) |
| Preferred Formation | 3-4-3 |
9. Edin Terzic (42) – Not with any club at present
He led his team to the Champions League Final last season, but unfortunately, they lost the game. He was known at Dortmund for pursuing attacking football and youth development. Terzic has become a respected figure in German football due to his leadership qualities and identification with the club. One word that describes him is resilient.
| Full Name | Edin Terzic |
| Date of Birth | October 30, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Menden, West Germany |
| Nationality | German-Croatian |
| Playing Position | Forward |
| Senior Career | FC Iserlohn, Westfalia Herne, SG Wattenscheid 09, BV Cloppenburg, Borussia Droschede |
| Managerial Debut | 2020 (Borussia Dortmund, Interim) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Borussia Dortmund (2020–2021, 2022–2024) |
| Notable Achievements | DFB-Pokal Winner (2021), UEFA Champions League Finalist (2024) |
| Preferred Formation | 4-2-3-1 |
8. Thiago Motta (42) – Not with any club at present
Motta has become an innovative penetrative tactical idea, a distinctive interpretation of formations, and dynamic positional play. His managerial career commenced with Genoa and Spezia, where he embraced and implemented progressive footballing philosophies. Motta remains a sought-after man for clubs with a forward-looking tactical agenda.
| Full Name | Thiago Motta |
| Date of Birth | August 28, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian-Italian |
| Playing Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Senior Career | Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Genoa, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain |
| Managerial Debut | 2018 (Paris Saint-Germain U19) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Genoa, Spezia, Bologna, Juventus |
| Notable Achievements | Champions League Winner (2010, as player), Led Bologna to Champions League qualification (2024) |
| Preferred Formation | 4-2-3-1 |
7. Sebastian Hoeness (42) – Stuttgart
Stuttgart has established an equilibrium in their creation and has found a point where they defend well and attack efficiently. Sebastian Hoeness previously managed Bayern Munich II, where he achieved promotion as champions of the 3.
Liga. He has got Stuttgart playing pretty well, although they have been working hard developing players and being tactically disciplined.
| Full Name | Sebastian Hoeness |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Munich, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Playing Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Senior Career | Hertha BSC II, TSG Hoffenheim, Hertha BSC II (second stint) |
| Managerial Debut | 2011 (Hertha Zehlendorf U19) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Bayern Munich II, TSG Hoffenheim |
| Current Club | VfB Stuttgart (since 2023) |
| Notable Achievements | Led Stuttgart to UEFA Champions League qualification (2024) |
| Preferred Formation | 4-2-3-1 |
6. Andoni Iraola (42) – Bournemouth
Iraola has infused a certain attacking pressing philosophy to Bournemouth, which has been effective, and the football lacks nothing in intensity.
Prior to Bournemouth, Iraola had successful spells with Rayo Vallecano, where he gained promotion to La Liga and helped establish them in the league. Iraola consistently identifies the best players and develops young ones in the Premier League, and his teams play without fear.
| Full Name | Andoni Iraola Sagarna |
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Usurbil, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Playing Position | Right-back |
| Senior Career | Athletic Bilbao, New York City FC |
| Managerial Debut | 2018 (AEK Larnaca) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | AEK Larnaca, Mirandés, Rayo Vallecano |
| Current Club | AFC Bournemouth (since 2023) |
| Notable Achievements | Led Rayo Vallecano to La Liga promotion (2021), Known for high-pressing tactics |
| Preferred Formation | 4-2-3-1 |
5. Ruben Amorim (40) – Manchester United
He is currently the only manager to be unbeaten in Europe. Amorim aims to win the Europa League title for Manchester United.
Ruben made a name for himself at Sporting CP after taking them to their first Primeira Liga title in 19 years in the 2020–21 season, repeating the success in 2023–24. His Sporting side built its reputation on good defending while successfully developing players.
| Full Name | Ruben Filipe Marques Amorim |
| Date of Birth | January 27, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Playing Position | Midfielder |
| Senior Career | Belenenses, Benfica, Braga (loan), Al-Wakrah (loan) |
| Managerial Debut | 2018 (Casa Pia) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Braga B, Braga, Sporting CP |
| Current Club | Manchester United (since 2024) |
| Notable Achievements | Primeira Liga Champion (2021, 2024), Taca da Liga Winner (2020, 2021) |
| Preferred Formation | 3-4-3 |
4. Vincent Kompany (38) – Bayern Munich
Kompany won Bayern Munich their 34th Bundesliga title this season, and this season represented a welcome return to domestic supremacy, having taken a year off.
After a rough start, they struggled initially and invincibly faced defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Kompany, as a leader and manager, made a big difference in the success of Bayern’s season.
| Full Name | Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany |
| Date of Birth | April 10, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Uccle, Brussels, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Playing Position | Centre-back |
| Senior Career | Anderlecht, Hamburger SV, Manchester City, Anderlecht (second stint) |
| Managerial Debut | 2019 (Player-Manager at Anderlecht) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Anderlecht, Burnley |
| Current Club | Bayern Munich (since 2024) |
| Notable Achievements | 4x Premier League Champion (as player), EFL Championship Winner (2023, as manager) |
| Preferred Formation | 4-3-3 |
3. Julian Nagelsmann (37) – Germany National Team
Nagelsmann is known for tactical development and has coached at elite clubs in Germany, which are Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich, and he is now the head coach of the German national football team.
Nagelsmann won a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich, showing he can manage to elite standards. He is known for being analytical and adaptable, so he is regarded as one of the most pursued young managers in world football.
| Full Name | Julian Nagelsmann |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Landsberg am Lech, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Playing Position | Centre-back |
| Senior Career | 1860 Munich II, FC Augsburg |
| Managerial Debut | 2016 (TSG Hoffenheim) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich |
| Current Club | Germany National Team (since 2023) |
| Notable Achievements | Bundesliga Champion (2022), Champions League Semifinalist (2020) |
| Preferred Formation | 4-2-3-1 |
2. Mikel Arteta (42) – Arsenal
Arteta has been a big part of the revival of Arsenal by winning the FA Cup in his first season (2019–20). The Community Shield cup twice, and being the youngest manager to record 100 victories in the Premier League with 100 victories in only 169 games.
Arteta has overseen that Arsenal consistently challenge for the Premier League title, and narrowly missed out in the 2023–24 season, completing the season with a club record 28 league victories.
| Full Name | Mikel Amatriain Arteta |
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | San Sebastian, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Playing Position | Midfielder |
| Senior Career | Barcelona B, Paris Saint-Germain (loan), Rangers, Real Sociedad, Everton, Arsenal |
| Managerial Debut | 2019 (Arsenal) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Arsenal (since 2019) |
| Notable Achievements | FA Cup Winner (2020), Premier League Runner-up (2023, 2024) |
| Preferred Formation | 4-3-3 |
1. Xabi Alonso (43) – Bayer Leverkusen
What Xabi Alonso did with Bayer Leverkusen in his first full season was just remarkable. He almost won the invincible treble for them but lost the Europa League final.
Xabi’s last season ended Bayern’s dominance in the Bundesliga by winning the title and going unbeaten in the whole league. He is surely the favourite to become the coach of his former club Real Madrid, where he played as a player.
| Full Name | Xabier Alonso Olano |
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Tolosa, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Playing Position | Midfielder |
| Senior Career | Real Sociedad, Eibar (loan), Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich |
| Managerial Debut | 2019 (Real Sociedad B) |
| Coaching License | UEFA Pro Licence |
| Previous Clubs Managed | Real Sociedad B, Bayer Leverkusen |
| Notable Achievements | Bundesliga Champion (2024), DFB-Pokal Winner (2024), Champions League Semifinalist (2025) |
| Preferred Formation | 3-4-3 |
