Top 30 Highest-Paid Football Managers Worldwide in 2026

Top 30 Highest-Paid Football Managers Worldwide in 2026

The list of football's highest earners includes renowned names such as Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, and Mikel Arteta. Despite the relentless pressure managers face, those at the top are rewarded with remarkable salaries. The influx of money into football continues, especially with Saudi Pro League teams offering massive contracts to attract leading coaches.

Managers Ranked 30th to 11th by Annual Salary

• 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

• 10. Enzo Maresca – Manchester City: £10mTaking over after Pep Guardiola, Maresca faces immense pressure but has a star-studded squad. His £10 million yearly wage reflects the club’s ambitions for immediate success.
• 9. Andoni Iraola – Liverpool: £10mDespite doubts about his experience, Iraola secured a £10 million contract at Liverpool, significantly higher than his predecessor. Expectations are sky-high for this Spaniard at Anfield.
• 8. Ange Postecoglou – Al-Nassr: £10mAfter a tough stint at Nottingham Forest, Postecoglou landed a lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia. Managing stars like Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, and Cristiano Ronaldo will test his skills.
• 7. Luis Enrique – Paris Saint-Germain: £10.2mHaving won Ligue 1 and recently securing a treble with PSG, Enrique is among the elite managers. His salary might increase soon following continued Champions League success.
• 6. Jose Mourinho – Real Madrid: £10.2mMourinho returned to Madrid with high expectations. His previous spell was successful, and now he’s back aiming to add more silverware to his record.
• 5. Xabi Alonso – Chelsea: £11.5mChelsea’s new manager commands the Premier League’s highest salary. After a Bundesliga title win with Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso’s big wage is a bold move by the club’s ownership.
• 4. Oliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest: £13mFollowing triumphs with Crystal Palace, Glasner joined Nottingham Forest. The club expects him to steer them away from relegation threats with his substantial salary reflecting those hopes.
• 3. Mikel Arteta – Arsenal: £15mArteta earned a new three-year contract after turning Arsenal into title contenders. The Gunners’ Premier League win after 22 years highlights his effective leadership.
• 2. Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid: £20.1mOnce the highest-paid, Simeone remains highly regarded despite a pay cut. His long tenure saw La Liga titles and Champions League finals, making him a legendary figure at Atletico.
• 1. Simone Inzaghi – Al-Hilal: £22.2mInzaghi enjoyed success with Inter Milan before moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. His £22.2 million annual wage makes him the world’s richest football manager.

Salary data is based on recent leaks and reports accurate as of August 29, 2026.