For many football players, once they put up their boots, athletes frequently trade the field for the stands. However, since they are the ones who experience pressure first, becoming a manager is no simple undertaking. Many people who were regarded as among the finest when they were playing are unable to handle the pressure of the profession. The same is true, though, for some footballers who didn’t have the best playing careers but went on to become some of the best managers the sport has ever known.
In an era where gambling has become a norm, we cannot underestimate the massive profits bettors have earned from live betting during the tenures of these legends. We therefore examine the top 5 football players who made successful managerial transitions in this post.
Antonio Conte
The Italian is regarded as one of the top managers in the contemporary game among former players. He also enjoyed a successful period in his career. Conte has won numerous prestigious awards during his nearly two-decade career while playing for Lecce and Juventus. In addition to the Champions League and other domestic and international cup tournaments, he won many Serie A championships.
In his managerial career, he achieved a similar degree of success, first leading Juventus to three straight Serie A championships before capturing the league championship in Italy’s second tier. In his first season as Chelsea’s manager, in a match that was highly ranked on Betway, Conte also won the Premier League. Later, with Inter Milan, he won the Italian league once more.
Zinedine Zidane
With the ball at his feet and later while watching from the sidelines, Zinedine Zidane worked his magic. The midfielder, who has played for Juventus and Real Madrid, has won two Serie A championships, a La Liga championship, and a UEFA Champions League championship with the Los Blancos.
Additionally, Zidane had triumph with France, claiming the European Championships in 2000 and the World Cup in 1998. The Frenchman made managerial history by becoming the first manager to successfully defend the Champions League crown. With Real Madrid, he took first place three times in a row. Additionally, Zidane captained the Spanish team to two La Liga championships.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola, one of Barcelona’s greatest legends, enjoyed remarkable success both as a player and a manager. He was a midfielder for the Catalan club during his playing days, and he led them to their first-ever European Cup victory.
In addition to the 1992 Olympic gold medal that Spain won, he also won La Liga six times. He built football dynasties as a manager, leading Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City to several league titles. With his home club Barcelona, Guardiola twice won the Champions League. Manchester City have clinched the EPL title since joining the team except in 2019 when they lost to Liverpool. His top-notch managerial skills are why Manchester City receive high stakes on Betway and other major betting platforms.
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti played for the illustrious AC Milan team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With the Rossoneri, he won the European Cup twice, the Serie A once, and an Italian league title with AS Roma.
The Italian manager was successful wherever he went as a manager, taking home league trophies in Italy, Spain, England, and Germany. One of three managers to win the Champions League three times, Ancelotti won the competition twice while managing AC Milan and helped Real Madrid win the illustrious La Decima, after a ten-year drought.
Johan Cruyff
The Dutchman, who was among the best players of his period, transformed contemporary football as a manager. He won the Eredivisie title ten times during his career—nine times with Ajax and once with Feyenoord—before guiding Barcelona to their first La Liga wins, which earned him three Ballon d’Or awards.
After switching to management, his playing style spurred a more possession-based approach to the game by inspiring many young brains. Cruyff coach Barcelona to their first European trophy and four La Liga championships after winning cups with Ajax.
Closing Thoughts
In the world of soccer, these men have used their knowledge of the game and their leadership skills to become some of the most successful managers in the sport. Other notable men include Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, and Jose Mourinho. As we look to the future of soccer, it is clear that these men will continue to be some of the most influential figures in the sport.