15 Best Young Managers in World Football – Ranked
In a sport often dominated by grizzled veterans and long-established legends, a fresh wave of young football managers is rewriting the rulebook. These rising stars are proving that age is just a number, combining tactical innovation, fearless leadership, and a deep understanding of the modern game.
From Cesc Fàbregas' seamless transition into management in Italy to Kieran McKenna’s stunning rise through the English leagues, this new breed of coaches is already making headlines, and winning silverware. Some have made bold moves abroad, while others are shaping elite clubs and national teams from the touchline.
In this countdown, we rank the 15 best young managers in world football right now, each of them aged under 45, each with a story worth knowing. Whether they’ve already lifted major trophies or are just starting to make their mark, these are the names every football fan should be watching.
10. Rúben Amorim – Manchester United
After dominating with Sporting Lisbon, Amorim landed the high-pressure job at Manchester United. Despite winning five trophies in Portugal, his debut season at Old Trafford was turbulent. A 15th-place Premier League finish and a Europa League final loss to Spurs have piled on the pressure. A major summer rebuild offers a shot at redemption in year two.
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9. Sebastian Hoeneß – VfB Stuttgart
Hoeneß turned heads last season by guiding Stuttgart to second place in the Bundesliga—their best finish since 2007. Beating out giants like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, he secured Champions League football for the 2024/25 season. The nephew of Uli Hoeneß is fast emerging as a top-tier coach in his own right.
8. Edin Terzić – Unattached
Terzić’s journey from Dortmund youth coach to Champions League finalist is remarkable. Twice a Bundesliga runner-up, including a heartbreak title loss on goal difference, he chose to leave the club in 2024. Having built a reputation for calm leadership and attacking football, his next step could be another big one.
7. Fabian Hürzeler – Brighton
At 31, Hürzeler became the youngest manager in Premier League history. Brighton fans worried after Roberto De Zerbi's departure, but early results—including a win over Manchester United and a draw at Arsenal—eased concerns. Despite some bumps, finishing eighth in his first top-flight season is a strong start.
6. Domenico Tedesco – Unattached
Tedesco’s coaching CV includes a Bundesliga runner-up medal with Schalke, a DFB-Pokal win with RB Leipzig, and a Europa League semi-final. His recent stint with Belgium didn’t work out, but he remains one of the more seasoned young managers, blending structure with flair when given the right tools.
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5. Cesc Fàbregas – Como 1907
The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona maestro is making waves off the pitch too. Now head coach and part-owner of Como, he led the club to a stable Serie A season after two decades in the lower leagues. Praised for his calm leadership and strategic insight, Fàbregas is carving out a promising career in Italy.
4. Matthias Jaissle – Al-Ahli
Jaissle, still only 36, enjoyed early success in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg before a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia. At Al-Ahli, he clinched a third-place league finish and then conquered Asia by winning the 2024/25 AFC Champions League. His sharp tactical nous makes him a name to watch.
3. Will Still – Southampton
Still’s rise is the stuff of modern football folklore. He first made headlines when Reims had to pay fines for appointing him without a UEFA Pro Licence. Yet his 17-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1 turned heads. Now at Southampton, he’s tasked with returning the Saints to the Premier League.
2. Thiago Motta – Unattached
One of the most talked-about young coaches, Motta turned Bologna into one of Serie A’s most exciting sides. His system helped elevate players like Zirkzee and Calafiori, both now in the Premier League. Though Juventus came calling, his stint there fizzled—yet his bold ideas remain in high demand.
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1. Kieran McKenna – Ipswich Town
McKenna’s impact at Ipswich has been nothing short of transformational. He took over when the club languished in League One and brought them to the Premier League in just two seasons. Though now back in the Championship, his dynamic style and rapid rise have marked him as a top-tier coach in waiting.
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