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Just like any another sport, in football too, great players don’t necessarily make good managers. In fact, some of the most successful managers in the history of the sport have had forgettable careers as professional footballers.There is a preconception amongst each and every football fan that good footballers should make decent managers because of the knowledge and a certain killer instinct that they have acquired during their playing days, it doesn’t always necessarily happen so. Although there are certain instances where good footballers have gone on to become great managers such as Pep Guardiola, Kenny Dalglish, Michael Laudrup and Frank de Boer, the presupposition doesn’t necessarily hold true.Here is a list of five legends who have failed miserably as managers:
#5 Tony Adams
Tony Adams during an England U-19 fixture against Turkey U-19
The Arsenal legend and undoubtedly, one of the best centre-backs in the history of English football, Tony Adams has had a forgettable career as a football manager. It was expected that the former Gunners captain would make a great manager thanks to his technical brilliance as well as superb leadership qualities.
However, the former England defender failed to make his mark as a good manager followed by a couple of stints at Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth Football Club.
The 49-year-old former Arsenal man who had won 66 international caps for England also took on a managerial project in Azerbaijan, which lasted around a year.
Adams, who had put on his Arsenal shirt for a record 504 times, joined the Wycombe Wanderers as a manager in 2003 where he was unable to fend off the club’s relegation to the third tier of English football.
Later in 2006, Tony Adams was appointed as the assistant manager of Portsmouth and helped the club finish at a respectable 9th position in the Premier League.
#4 Alan Shearer
Shearer in charge of the Magpies during a match against Aston Villa
Alan Shearer is a Newcastle United legend and without a hint of doubt, one of the most prolific goal scorers in English football. The 45-year-old former England international has played 303 matches for the Toons finding the back of the net on 148 instances.
However, Shearer has had a very mediocre stint at the managerial level of the game.
Back in 2009, he was appointed by Newcastle United in the latter part of the season as a caretaker manager. The former England forward had nine matches to save the Magpies from the relegation zone. However, under Alan Shearer, the Tyneside club could only manage to secure a mere five points out of a possible 27 and after 16 long years slumped to the second division of English football.
#3 Marco van Basten
Van Basten during his AZ days in an Eredivisie game
The legendary Dutch striker, Marco van Basten was a key figure in the Netherlands’ Euro Cup triumph back in 1988 with his unbelievable volley against the Soviet Union in the grand finale. Though a competent forward, the former AC Milan man was unable to make his mark as a decent manager in the world of football.
On 29th July 2004, van Basten was appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands. Under his guidance, the ‘Oranjes’ qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2008 UEFA Euro Cup.
However, the talented Dutch team failed to make it past the 2nd round in both the competitions.
Van Basten was also appointed by Ajax twice but the during his second stint with the coveted Dutch club, the former decided to call it a day after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Currently, the Dutch legend occupies the role of an assistant manager of the Netherlands where is working alongside the manager, Danny Blind and his fellow assistant manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
#2 Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton at a Manchester United game
Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Sir Bobby Charlton was an essential member of the England squad which had won the FIFA World Cup back in 1966. Having said that, the Manchester United legend had failed to stamp his authority as a successful football manager in world football.
The 78-year-old, who had played almost his entire professional career for the Red Devils scoring 199 goals in 606 matches, took the charge of Preston North End in 1973.
Charlton’s first season as a manager was a disaster as his side got relegated to the third tier of English football along with Crystal Palace and Swindle City.
After a couple of seasons, the ex-England sensation left the charge of Preston following a disagreement with the board of directors regarding a certain transfer of John Bird to Newcastle United.
#1 Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona with Peter Shilton at the 1986 World Cup
Diego Armando Maradona is a man who simply needs no introduction whatsoever. Widely regarded as perhaps the best footballer the world has ever seen, the eccentric former Argentina international is not quite cut out for managerial jobs.
The former Barcelona man had represented his country in four World Cups, including the one in 1986, where he captained the side and almost single-handedly won them the most prized trophy in world football.
The once majestic forward who has racked up a total of 259 goals in 491 club matches was appointed as the manager of Argentina before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The immensely talented Argentine team under Maradona booked a quarter-final berth with the current World champions, Germany but lost to them by 4-0 to crash out of the competition.
