Ranking All 20 Premier League Managers by Their Playing Careers – From Worst to Best
Being a great player doesn’t always translate to success in the dugout. In fact, some of the most brilliant football minds in the Premier League today never made it as professionals. Here, we rank all 20 current Premier League managers based solely on their playing careers – from grassroots hopefuls to Champions League winners.
20. Thomas Frank – Tottenham Hotspur
The Danish manager never played professional football. His only experience came at amateur side Frederiksvaerk BK before he transitioned into coaching youth teams. Despite that, he’s shown that understanding the game doesn’t require a glittering playing career.
19. Fabian Hürzeler – Brighton & Hove Albion
At just 31, Hürzeler is one of the youngest managers in Premier League history. He played only in reserve and lower-tier German sides, spending most of his early career at Bayern Munich II and FC Pipinsried before shifting to coaching in his early 20s.
18. Vitor Pereira – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Pereira had a nine-year playing career in the Portuguese lower leagues before retiring in his twenties. He never reached the top levels as a player but has since built a strong coaching resume across Europe and Asia.
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17. Unai Emery – Aston Villa
Emery came through Real Sociedad’s academy but managed just five appearances for the senior team. The bulk of his career was spent in Spain’s second tier, and he retired after a stint at Lorca Deportiva with limited fanfare.
16. Oliver Glasner – Crystal Palace
Glasner was a one-club man, spending almost two decades with SV Reid in Austria. His playing career was cut short by a brain hemorrhage, but he has since emerged as a trophy-winning manager in Germany and England.
15. Marco Silva – Fulham
Silva spent 15 years in Portuguese football, playing as a right-back for several lower-tier sides before settling at Estoril. He never played top-flight football but quickly transitioned to management with success.
14. Regis Le Bris – Sunderland
The Frenchman played mainly in Ligue 2, with a brief spell in Ligue 1 at Stade Rennais. While not a standout player, he maintained a respectable career before moving into coaching.
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13. David Moyes – Everton
Moyes was a no-nonsense defender who played for clubs like Celtic, Preston, and Shrewsbury. He had a rugged style and ended his career at Preston, where he began his managerial journey.
12. Eddie Howe – Newcastle United
A promising career at Bournemouth was derailed by serious knee injuries. He had a short, stop-start stint at Portsmouth and Swindon before returning to Bournemouth and eventually moving into management.
11. Daniel Farke – Leeds United
Farke never reached the Bundesliga, spending his entire career in Germany’s lower leagues. He became a club figure at SV Lippstadt 08 and carried that grounded experience into his tactical coaching.
10. Graham Potter – West Ham United
Potter played for various clubs across England, including Stoke City and Southampton, and earned an England U21 cap. Though he was never a star, his journeyman experience provided a solid base for his unique coaching philosophy.
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9. Arne Slot – Liverpool
Slot spent his career in the Eredivisie, notably with FC Zwolle and NAC Breda. Known for his intelligence on the ball rather than physicality, he was already thinking like a coach while playing.
8. Keith Andrews – Brentford
A solid midfielder, Andrews earned 32 caps for Ireland and had spells in the Premier League with Blackburn and West Brom. He built a respectable career across England’s top tiers before moving into coaching.
7. Nuno Espirito Santo – Nottingham Forest
Nuno was part of Porto’s Champions League-winning squad in 2004, though he didn’t play in the final. He played across Portugal, Spain, and Russia, collecting four league titles and over 200 career appearances.
6. Ruben Amorim – Manchester United
Amorim was a key midfielder at Benfica and won multiple Primeira Liga titles. He also earned 14 caps for Portugal, showcasing leadership and tenacity that now translates into his managerial career.
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5. Andoni Iraola – Bournemouth
A one-club man for most of his career, Iraola made over 400 appearances for Athletic Bilbao. He was known for his set-piece prowess and even captained the side to a famous Europa League final run.
4. Scott Parker – Burnley
Parker was a combative and classy midfielder who played for Chelsea, Tottenham, and Fulham. He represented England at senior level and was once named Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
3. Enzo Maresca – Chelsea
Maresca had an eclectic career across Italy and Spain, including spells at Juventus, Sevilla, and Fiorentina. He won two UEFA Cups and was praised for his technical ability and vision on the ball.
2. Mikel Arteta – Arsenal
Arteta played for Rangers, Everton, and Arsenal, becoming a respected Premier League midfielder. His leadership and tactical intelligence were evident during his playing days and laid the groundwork for his coaching rise.
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1. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
A Barcelona legend, Guardiola won six La Liga titles and a European Cup as a midfield general. His playing career under Johan Cruyff helped shape the tactical genius we now see on the touchline.
