Football is the most beautiful game on the face of this planet. And while the star players are always in the spotlight, it is the managers under whose instructions the players play the game. In the footballing world, managers are the men shouting instructions whilst pacing on the touchline. The footballers play in accordance with the manager’s wishes, or at least attempt to do so.
It is a popular opinion that great players make great managers – which is not the case on some occasions with many football gurus opining the exact vice versa. It has been established, however, that both the manager and the players play an equally significant role towards success with Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City being a perfect example.
To become a successful manager, one needs to have lady luck in his favour along with an immense knowledge of the game. It is not always that a great player becomes a great manager and not all great managers were world class players. The likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Kenny Daglish, and Carlo Ancelotti among others have been immensely successful both as a player and as a manager.
It is interesting to predict which players of the current crop have the insight and ability to cut it as a manager. On that note, we take a look at five successful players playing currently who could become successful managers in the near future.
#5 Micheal Carrick
Manchester United’s veteran midfielder Micheal Carrick is the ideal person to manage a football team. He is loyal and dedicated – qualities that are necessary to become a top manager. And his knowledge of the game has often been displayed over the years.
The 35-year-old has played under the best managers including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. However, throughout his career, the English midfielder has been very under-rated. Whenever he has played, it was apparent that he was crucial in breaking down the opposition attack and also start the moves for his team.
Outside the football pitch, he is a reserved, private human being. On the pitch, he brings stability and level-headed leadership. Carrick is also a fantastic guide for the young players of the side. Despite numerous accolades, he is not a braggart, and there has been praise from within the club for his humility.
Alongside his shrewd match reading, he can stamp his authority both on and off the pitch. Carrick buys into the mentality that Ferguson encouraged of winning one thing then moving on to the next rather than indulging. Certainly, he would be a very successful manager.
#4 Phillipp Lahm
Former German World Cup winning captain Phillip Lahm is one of the most versatile players in the world. Often described as one of the most intelligent players on the pitch, Lahm seems to have everything that makes a modern day footballer great – natural ability, a keen work ethic and dedication.
Over the years, we have seen that the ‘Magic Dwarf’, as he is popularly known in Germany, is not fearful of authority. Should he feel the need to criticise a coach or a teammate, he is never apprehensive. But in contrasting circumstances, he will be the first one to shower someone with praise if he deserves it.
The Bayern Munich captain is a born leader, and his knowledge of the game is immense. Add to that his intelligence. At one instance, Pep Guardiola, one of the world best managers had said, “Philipp Lahm is perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained in my career. He is at another level.”
Over the course of his career, Lahm has earned the respect of his compatriots and what is more important is he knows how to command this respect – something that will help him be successful as a manager if he ever decides to become one.
#3 Andrea Pirlo
When it comes to knowledge of the game, few are better equipped than Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo. The diminutive midfielder is at the fag end of his career and currently plays for Major League Soccer side New York City FC and reports have suggested that he could be taking up the role of a manager post retirement.
Pirlo was an integral part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning squad. The bearded central-midfielder is a real tactician, his game reading being second to none. During the entirety of the 90 minutes on the pitch, he dictates the game, controlling the flow of his team’s gameplay with consummate ease.
Pirlo himself had once mentioned how he likes to be in control when he said, “I like to think of myself as a director, on the pitch, and in life.” Every successful manager has to take responsibility for how his team fares on the pitch, something that we can expect from the Italian genius.
And what more, he is a philosopher in the true sense of the term and has been quoted as being a 'father-figure' around the club which would rub off on his players. There can be little doubt that Pirlo, as a coach, would showcase his knowledge and be successful. Add to that his intuitive understanding and ingenuity that has been on the show so many times on the pitch.
#2 Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has always been a vital player for his team since his burgeoning days at Real Sociedad. On the pitch, he is calm, composed and has a great affinity for the game. Having played for the some of the best clubs in the world, under some of the best managers he has enough experience to cut it as a manager.
The Spaniard in a fan favourite everywhere he has played from Liverpool to Bayern Munich. Although he is not very vocal off the pitch, it has not always been the loudest voice in the dressing room that has typically developed into a successful manager.
He has been an integral part of a lot of successful campaigns for all his clubs. The former Real Madrid star loves to get on the ball and play it around.
Alonso is a great idol for the young players. And what more, once he mentioned about taking up management after retirement because he loves the game. A loyal, dedicated personality, should he take to management he would be one of the most tactically proficient managers.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
“I think a lot about it.”
This was Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction when asked if he considers a career in management after retirement.
The Portuguese forward is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world right now. He has achieved a lot in his career so far including three Ballon d’Or awards and is a great leader on the pitch. He is an idol for any young player and can motivate players like no one else.
Ronaldo is not a stranger to managerial roles as he has egged on his teammates from the sidelines a couple of times. In the Euro Cup final, he was forced out after taking a knock but still shouted instructions throughout the match at his teammates from the touchline. A similar scenario occurred when he was ruled out of a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
Obviously, he has played under a number of great managers like Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelloti. Playing in top divisions in Portugal, England, and Spain, he certainly has enough knowledge of the game to cut it as a manager. If not anything, his tremendous desire to succeed and dedication could make him a top manager.
