5 best assistant managers in football at the moment (2022)

#3 Dino Toppmöller (Bayern Munich)

SL Benfica v Bayern München: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Dino Toppmöller had a rather underwhelming playing career spent mostly in Bundesliga 2 and the third division. He played for clubs like VfL Bochum, Eintracht Frankfurt, Jahn Regensburg and Erzgebirge Aue.

After an unsuccessful stint with Augsburg, Toppmöller moved to Luxembourg side Dudelange. He would become their head coach six years later in 2016. But before that, Toppmöller worked as assistant manager at FSV Salmrohr before becoming the head coach of another Rhineland-Palatinate club, SV Mehring.

He was a player-coach at the time and continued to learn the ropes of coaching at RM Hamm Benfica between 2014-16. He finally hung up his boots and embarked on his individual managerial career in 2016 with his former club Dudelange.

He led the Luxembourg side to three back-to-back league titles before accepting an invitation from Julian Nagelsmann to join him as his assistant at RB Leipzig. Toppmöller's footballing knowledge and tactical intelligence went a long way towards making Leipzig as exciting a team to watch as they are today.

He has since followed Nagelsmann to Bayern Munich. Nagelsmann had this to say about his assistant last year.

"We chatted on the phone and knew instantly that we were on the same wavelength; Dino's a relaxed guy who has an incredibly big heart and huge understanding of football. He's a great addition to my coaching team and deserves a spell in the spotlight. "

#2 Pep Lindjers

Pep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp (cred: The Independent)

Pep Lijnders first made a name for himself as the youth coach for Porto. He then became part of Jurgen Klopp's team at Liverpool in 2015. Klopp had just fallen out with Zeljko Buvac, whom the former had labeled the 'brain' of his coaching system.

Lijnders was eased into that role and it's his knowledge of using 4-3-3 in a defensive setup that has helped Klopp bring about a unique system at Liverpool. Lijnders has a lot to do with improving the midfielders at the club as he emphasizes the importance of positional transitions in midfield.

Lijnders' philosophy lends itself to Klopp's gegenpressing system as he wants midfielders to cut passing lanes and press aggressively. He played a big role in Liverpool's Champions League triumph in 2018-19.

The Dutchman also shares a great rapport with the players and is tipped to be the one to replace Klopp when he eventually leaves Liverpool.

#1 Juanma Lillo (Manchester City)

Rodolfo Borrell, Pep Guardiola and Juanma Lillo of Manchester City

Juanma Lillo is a Spanish football manager who headed into coaching as a teenager. He is the youngest ever manager in La Liga history after taking charge of Salamanca in 1992. Lillo has also managed other top-flight clubs like Oviedo, Tenerife, Zaragoza and Almería.

Lillo's philosophy is all about playing beautiful football. He values the processes involved just as much as the results. When Mikel Arteta moved on from Manchester City to accept the managerial role at Arsenal, City brought in Juanma Lillo to be Pep Guardiola's assistant.

They go way back. In fact, Guardiola first met Lillo during a La Liga game between Barcelona and Oviedo in the 90s. Guardiola was extremely impressed with the way Oviedo played in that game and spoke to Lillo afterwards. He had hoped to stay in touch with Lillo, who was clearly a fascinating student of the game.

“The story of how I met Pep is true. He had played against my teams before, and then, after a game in 1998 between his Barcelona and my Real Oviedo, my delegate knocked on the door of my office and said Pep would like to introduce himself. Would I see him? How could I say no to a player I liked so much? He said he liked my way of playing, and we talked. We always stayed in touch after that.”

But the story does not end there. Guardiola wanted to play under Lillo so much he joined Mexican side Dorados de Sinaloa in 2005. Their philosophies are very much in sync with both managers wanting to play exciting, beautiful football. What happens over the course of 90 minutes is often more important than the result.

But when teams play as well as Manchester City, the result often swings their way. Lillo has had a journeyman career when it comes to coaching. He has managed in Spain, North America, South America and Asia. They say he is not motivated by titles but is always looking to find ways for his teams to be more creative and innovative on the pitch.