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Football players might get all the attention from fans and the media, but it is the football managers who actually make a team work.
Management in the sport is not an easy job. Football managers have to be tactically astute as well as good with man-management to handle a squad of 25 or more players. Very few manage to make it to the top level, and even fewer continue to stay at that level for a considerable period of time.
The managers are the first to be accused when something goes wrong with the team. There is no job security in this line of work, but top-flight managers are paid well for what they bring to the table
Here, we look at the 5 highest paid managers in football right now (August 2021).
#5 Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) - €10.5 million per year
Liverpool have achieved incredible success under the management of Jurgen Klopp. The German already enjoys legendary status among the club's faithful.
Klopp was regarded as one of the best managers in Germany during his time with Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Bundesliga twice. He also helped the club reach the Champions League final in 2013. Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager in 2015, and has ushered in an era of dominance.
With Liverpool, Klopp has won the Champions League and the Premier League. The 54-year old has also played a pivotal role in shaping Liverpool's exciting squad, which includes world-class players like Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane. Klopp is regarded by many as the best manager in world football.
#4 Fabio Cannavaro (Guangzhou) - €12 million per year
Fabio Cannavaro was arguably the best centre-back in the world during his prime, and is one of the few defenders to have won the Ballon d'Or.
The World Cup winner, who represented clubs like Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid during his playing career, became a manager after his retirement. His first job was with Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, where he lasted only one year. After stints with Al-Nassr and Tianjin Quanjian, Cannavaro was reappointed as Guangzhou manager in 2017.
The Italian also briefly managed the Chinese national team in 2019. Cannavaro has won the Chinese Super League and the Chinese FA Super Cup with Guangzhou.
#3 Jose Mourinho (Roma) | €13 million per year
Despite being appointed Roma manager this summer, Jose Mourinho reportedly continues to be paid by his former club Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs sacked Mourinho abruptly in April this year and the Portuguese is still being paid by the Premier League club due to a clause in his contract. Mourinho's salary at Roma is reported to be around €7 million per year, and the Serie A giants have backed their new manager adequately in this summer's transfer market.
Mourinho's stock has plummeted in recent years, however. Regarded as one of the greatest managers of the game, the 58-year old has struggled in his last two spells at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. He will hope that a return to Italy sparks some form. Notably, it was with Inter Milan in Serie A that Mourinho won the treble in 2010.
#2 Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid) | €15 million per year
It has been reported that Diego Simeone has taken a 70% pay cut due to the financial implications of the pandemic.
Before this news, Simeone was comfortably the best paid manager in the world. He has done incredible work since taking over at Atletico Madrid in December 2011, and has played a vital role in Atletico Madrid becoming one of the best clubs in Europe.
The Argentine has won two La Liga titles, two Europa League trophies and one Copa del Rey with the club. Simeone has also led Atletico Madrid to two Champions League finals.
#1 Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) | €23 million per year
Arguably the best manager in world football, Pep Guardiola's trophy cabinet speaks for itself.
The Spaniard has achieved success at every club. At Barcelona, he won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, and managed a side regarded by many as one of the greatest sides in football. At Bayern Munich, Guardiola won the Bundesliga title in each of his three seasons.
Now at Manchester City, the 50-year old's side is seen by many as the best side in Europe right now. Guardiola has won three Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and an FA Cup with his current club, while also helping them reach their first ever Champions League final last season.
Also Read: 5 Ballon d'Or winners who never won the Champions League
