The 15 Most Expensive Managerial Transfers in Football History

June 11, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

In the past, it was rare for clubs to spend big on head coaches. But in the modern era, managers are just as valued as star players — and many clubs have been willing to pay hefty fees to secure the right leader. Here are the 15 most expensive managerial hires of all time, ranked from lowest to highest.

15. Maurizio Sarri – £5 million

In 2018, Chelsea paid £5 million to bring Maurizio Sarri from Napoli to Stamford Bridge. Tasked with replacing Antonio Conte, Sarri only lasted one season in charge, but he did guide the Blues to a Europa League title before returning to Serie A.

14. Ronald Koeman – £5 million

Photo: Piotr Piatrouski / Shutterstock.com

Everton turned to Ronald Koeman in 2016 after his strong showing with Southampton. They spent £5 million to get him, but his time at Goodison Park didn’t live up to expectations. He left after a little over a year, having failed to push the team into the top tier of English football.

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13. Brendan Rodgers – £5 million

Liverpool brought in Brendan Rodgers from Swansea City in 2012, paying £5 million for the young manager who had impressed with his possession-based style. Although he never won silverware at Anfield, he came agonizingly close to a Premier League title in 2014.

12. José Mourinho – £5.2 million

Jose Mourinho — Photo: Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

In 2004, Chelsea made headlines by spending £5.2 million to appoint José Mourinho from Porto. Coming off a Champions League win, “The Special One” delivered immediate results, winning back-to-back Premier League titles and turning Chelsea into a domestic powerhouse.

11. José Mourinho – £6.9 million

Mourinho appears again — this time for his 2010 move from Inter Milan to Real Madrid, which cost the Spanish giants £6.9 million. He managed to break Barcelona’s domestic dominance, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during his time at the Bernabéu.

10. Rúben Amorim – £8.6 million

Ruben Amorim — Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

Sporting Lisbon shocked the football world in 2020 when they paid £8.6 million to hire Rúben Amorim from Braga — despite his limited experience. The move paid off, with Amorim winning league titles and domestic cups while transforming the club’s style and mentality.

9. Brendan Rodgers – £8.8 million

Rodgers reappears on the list thanks to Leicester City’s £8.8 million outlay to bring him from Celtic in 2019. He led the Foxes to an FA Cup win and consistent top-half finishes, though his reign ended on a sour note with relegation looming in 2023.

8. Rúben Amorim – £9.2 million

In late 2024, Manchester United acted quickly to appoint Amorim after sacking Erik ten Hag. They paid Sporting Lisbon £9.2 million to bring him to Old Trafford, where his first season ended in disappointment — a 15th-place Premier League finish and a Europa League final loss.

7. Arne Slot – £9.4 million

Liverpool paid £9.4 million to Feyenoord in 2024 to secure Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s successor. Slot impressed with his tactics and leadership, and he exceeded expectations by guiding Liverpool to their second-ever Premier League title in his debut campaign.

6. Enzo Maresca – £10 million

Chelsea turned to Enzo Maresca in 2025 after parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino, paying Leicester City £10 million for the Italian coach. He arrived at Stamford Bridge with a reputation for attacking football and immediately made an impact, winning the Europa Conference League in his first season.

5. Thomas Frank – £10 million

Tottenham made a bold move by replacing Ange Postecoglou with Thomas Frank in 2025, reportedly paying Brentford £10 million. Known for his tactical discipline and player development, the Danish manager arrived with big expectations at a club seeking stability and success.

4. Vincent Kompany – £10.2 million

Despite being relegated with Burnley in 2024, Kompany was surprisingly hired by Bayern Munich for £10.2 million. His possession-based style appealed to the German champions, and he quickly justified the investment by winning the Bundesliga in his first season.

3. André Villas-Boas – £13.3 million

Andre Villas-Boas — Romain Biard / Shutterstock.com

Chelsea splashed out £13.3 million in 2011 to bring André Villas-Boas from Porto, hoping to replicate the Mourinho magic. But things didn’t go as planned — the young Portuguese coach was fired after just 40 games in charge, making him one of the club’s worst managerial gambles.

2. Graham Potter – £21.5 million

In 2022, Chelsea once again spent big — this time on Brighton’s Graham Potter, handing over £21.5 million. The move proved disastrous. Potter managed just 12 wins in 31 matches before being sacked. He has yet to return to management since.

1. Julian Nagelsmann – £21.7 million

Bayern Munich set a new record in 2021 by spending £21.7 million to appoint Julian Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig. The young German coach arrived with huge expectations and delivered a Bundesliga title and two Super Cups. But inconsistent performances and internal friction led to his dismissal in less than two years, proving that even record fees don’t guarantee long-term success.