10 managers who have spent the most money on transfers since 2000

Managers spent most transfers Max Allegri
Max Allegri

9) Louis van Gaal: £542m

Louis van Gaal transfer spending
Louis van Gaal

Major clubs managed: Ajax, Barcelona, AZ, Bayern Munich, Manchester United

Manager since: 1991

Trophies won: 20

Record transfer: Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid to Manchester United) – £59.7m

One of the greatest Dutch managers in history, Van Gaal has spent his managerial career managing both clubs and the Dutch national team in two different stints. He led a very successful Ajax side in the ‘90s that won three consecutive Eredivisie titles and a Champions League.

When he moved to Barcelona, he was the manager who gave debuts to youngsters such as Xavi and Andres Iniesta (albeit in two different stints at the club). However, despite winning La Liga titles, he had a difficult time with the media and also fell out with club legends such as Rivaldo.

At Bayern Munich, he won a domestic double in 2009/10 but underwhelmed at a club looking at bigger things in the following season, eventually leading to his sacking. His stint at Manchester United is well documented as he first led them back to the Champions League and also made Anthony Martial the most expensive teenager in history. But he narrowly missed out on the top four the following season and lost his job despite winning the FA Cup.

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