5 highest paid managers in world football as of 2021

While much of the focus is given to football players and their enormous wages, managers at top clubs tend to earn well too.

Clubs tend to invest heavily in top-quality managers to ensure immediate success. A recent example is that of the recently-sacked Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho, who reportedly earned about £15 million a year, although that move did not work out well for either party.

Five most well-paid managers in world football:

Some of the best managers in the game are extremely well-paid. But the COVID-19 pandemic has forced clubs to think more innovatively. There has been more focus on developing managers who climb the ladder from academy coaching to a senior-level job.

On that note, let's take a look at the five highest-paid managers in world football at the moment.

---

#5 Antonio Conte (Inter Milan) - €11 million per year

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte looks on

Antonio Conte is not the easiest guy to work with, but the results speak for themselves; he is one of the best managers around.

Inter Milan have won their first league title since 2010, and Conte was the principal architect of that success. Tactically intelligent and full of passion, Conte has helped end Juventus' near decade-long domestic dominance.

Interestingly, it was Conte who kickstarted the Old Lady's dominance in the first place, leading them to three consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2014.

Apart from Juventus and Inter Milan, Conte has won the English Premier League with Chelsea, implementing a three-at-the-back system that has been utilised more consistently in the Premier League in recent times.

---

#4 Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) - €12 million per year

Zinedine Zidane during a Real Madrid game

One of Real Madrid's greatest players is now one of the club's greatest ever managers.

There was cautious optimism when Zinedine Zidane was appointed the Real Madrid boss in 2016, replacing Rafa Benitez, as the Frenchman had no managerial experience at the top level.

However, the performances and subsequent results under Zidane have been nothing short of magical, as Los Blancos won three consecutive Champions League titles and a La Liga title during Zidane's first stint as manager.

Now in his second spell as Real Madrid boss, Zidane won another league title in 2020. Real Madrid are second in the La Liga this season, two points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid. They also have a Champions League semi-final encounter against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea in midweek.

---

#3 Fabio Cannavaro (Guangzhou FC) - €12 million per year

Fabio Cannavaro is the Guangzhou FC manager

One of the best centre-backs in the world during his prime, Fabio Cannavaro has enjoyed an interesting career as a football manager.

The Italian began his managerial career with Guangzhou in 2014 but was abruptly removed from his position in 2015. After stints with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr and Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian, Cannavaro returned to Guangzhou as manager in 2017, a position he still occupies.

The 47-year old also managed the China national team briefly in 2019 but stepped down a month later to focus on his club duties. Guangzhou are currently third in their Chinese Super League group.

---

#2 Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid) - €15 million per year

Diego Simeone reacts during an Atletico Madrid game

An Atletico Madrid legend, Diego Simeone has been the manager of the La Liga giants since 2011 and has transformed the club's fortunes during his stint.

Having enjoyed a successful spell as a player for Atletico Madrid, Simeone replaced Gregorio Manzano as the new manager of the club. The Argentine proved to be a shrewd acquisition, as Atletico Madrid's aggressive and compact style of play has often frustrated opponents.

Atletico Madrid have won the La Liga title once and the Europa League twice under Simeone, while also taking them to the Champions League final on two occasions. They are currently atop the 2020-21 La Liga table.

---

#1 Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) - €23 million per year

Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world.

The highest-paid tactician in the game is the best football manager in the world. Pep Guardiola has once again proved this season why he is revered across Europe.

Manchester City have enjoyed sensational success since the arrival of the Spaniard. While work was already going on before Guardiola's appointment, the former Barcelona manager's attractive style of play as well as Manchester City's ability to attract top-quality players has proved to be an effective match.

Arguably the best team in Europe at the moment, Manchester City look likely to win the English Premier League. They are in the Champions League semi-final as well and have already won the EFL Cup this season as they eye a treble.

---