The 15 Greatest German Football Managers of All Time – Ranked

February 8, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

Germany has produced some of the most successful and influential football managers in history. From tactical masterminds to inspirational leaders, these coaches have left an indelible mark on the sport. Here’s a look at the best German managers of all time, ranked by their achievements and impact on football.

15. Hans Meyer

Hans Meyer is one of the most respected figures in German football, known for his tactical intelligence and ability to develop teams with limited resources. While he never managed a European giant, his work at Borussia Mönchengladbach and other Bundesliga clubs earned him widespread recognition. He was famous for his defensive organization and ability to get the best out of underdog teams. Meyer’s influence extended beyond his coaching career, as he later became a key football consultant.

14. Karl-Heinz Feldkamp

Karl-Heinz Feldkamp made his mark in German football by coaching several Bundesliga clubs with great success. He was particularly known for his ability to build strong, disciplined teams that could compete against the league’s best. His most notable achievements include winning the Bundesliga with Kaiserslautern and leading clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to domestic success. He was regarded as a pragmatic manager with a keen tactical mind.

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13. Felix Magath

Felix Magath earned a reputation as one of the toughest and most demanding coaches in German football. His strict discipline and fitness regimes were key to his success, particularly during his time at Bayern Munich, where he won back-to-back Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal doubles. His greatest achievement, however, came in 2009 when he led VfL Wolfsburg to a shock Bundesliga title. Magath was known for his intense training methods and ability to turn mid-table teams into title contenders.

12. Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann is one of the youngest coaches to ever make an impact at the highest level of football. At just 28 years old, he took over at Hoffenheim and transformed them into a Champions League club. His innovative tactical approach, flexibility, and attacking philosophy quickly made him one of the most sought-after managers in the world. After successful spells at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, Nagelsmann took charge of the German national team, where his modern coaching methods continue to shape the future of German football.

11. Udo Lattek

Udo Lattek is one of the most successful managers in German football history, having won multiple Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. He also guided Bayern to their first-ever European Cup triumph in 1974. Lattek was known for his ability to manage superstar players while maintaining a strong team spirit. His tactical discipline and ability to adapt his style to different teams made him a dominant force in German football for decades.

10. Ralf Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick is widely regarded as the pioneer of modern German football, particularly the high-pressing style known as gegenpressing. His work at clubs like Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, and Schalke revolutionized tactical thinking in Germany. While he lacks major trophies compared to others on this list, his influence on managers like Jürgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, and Julian Nagelsmann is undeniable. Rangnick’s focus on intense pressing, structured buildup play, and tactical innovation has reshaped the game.

9. Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel is one of the most tactically flexible and intelligent managers of his generation. After successful spells at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, he became a European powerhouse with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. His greatest achievement came in 2021 when he led Chelsea to a Champions League title just months after taking over. Tuchel is known for his ability to organize defenses, make quick tactical adjustments, and bring out the best in his players.

8. Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer is best remembered as one of football’s greatest players, but he was also a highly successful manager. He led Germany to World Cup glory in 1990, becoming one of the few individuals to win the tournament as both a player and a coach. Beckenbauer had a unique leadership style, relying more on his motivational skills and football intelligence than rigid tactical structures. His ability to inspire players and adapt to different challenges made him a legendary figure in German football.

7. Hansi Flick

Hansi Flick rose to prominence when he took over Bayern Munich in 2019 and guided them to an unprecedented sextuple, winning six trophies in a single season, including the Bundesliga and Champions League. His attacking style, high pressing, and ability to manage big personalities made Bayern one of the most dominant teams in modern football. He later became the head coach of the German national team, where he aimed to restore their former glory.

6. Joachim Löw

Joachim Löw is best known for leading Germany to World Cup victory in 2014 with a team that played some of the most attractive football in the tournament’s history. Under his leadership, Germany became a dominant force in international football, reaching multiple tournament finals. His emphasis on technical ability, fluid attacking play, and youth development helped reshape German football after the early 2000s decline. Despite his success, his tenure ended on a low note after struggles in later tournaments.

5. Helmut Schön

Helmut Schon — Stadtarchiv Kiel, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons

Helmut Schön was the mastermind behind Germany’s golden era in the 1970s, winning the 1974 World Cup and the 1972 European Championship. His teams played a beautiful attacking style led by legends like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. Schön’s ability to create a tactical system that allowed his players to flourish was key to his success. His teams dominated international football, making him one of Germany’s most celebrated managers.

4. Sepp Herberger

Sepp Herberger will always be remembered for leading West Germany to their first-ever World Cup triumph in 1954, known as the Miracle of Bern. His strategic planning and deep understanding of the game allowed his underdog team to defeat the mighty Hungary in the final. He laid the foundation for Germany’s future dominance in world football by instilling discipline, teamwork, and tactical organization. Herberger’s influence on German football lasted long beyond his coaching career.

3. Jürgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players — MDI / Shutterstock.com

Jürgen Klopp is one of the most charismatic and innovative managers of modern football. His time at Borussia Dortmund saw him revolutionize German football with his high-energy pressing style. He later took over Liverpool and restored them to greatness, winning the Champions League in 2019 and the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020. Klopp’s ability to inspire his players, develop young talents, and implement an exciting style of play has made him one of the best managers of his generation.

2. Jupp Heynckes

Jupp Heynckes is best known for leading Bayern Munich to a historic treble in 2013, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League in the same season. His teams played dominant, attacking football while maintaining defensive solidity. Heynckes was a master at balancing squad rotation and keeping his players motivated throughout long seasons. His calm leadership and tactical expertise made him one of the greatest German managers ever.

1. Ottmar Hitzfeld

Ottmar Hitzfeld stands at the top as the greatest German manager of all time. He is one of the few coaches to have won the Champions League with two different clubs, Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern Munich in 2001. His ability to build long-term success at different teams set him apart from the rest. Hitzfeld was a tactical genius who combined discipline with attacking flair, making him a dominant force in European football for over two decades.