• Pep Guardiola: Held up as the standard-bearer for modern day managers, Guardiola is one of the most decorated coaches in history. Promoted to the Barcelona position from their 'B' setup, Guardiola would shape the team into one of the greatest club sides of all time. During his four years at Barca, Guardiola won a club record 14 trophies. The Catalan's move to Bayern Munich brought even more trophies, including three successive Bundesliga titles. In his second season at Manchester City, Guardiola led the club to a record-breaking league title. Guardiola the player was no slouch either, and was part of Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' that won four successive La Liga titles. Guardiola won another two Spanish league titles as well as the 1992 European Cup. Reuters
    Pep Guardiola: Held up as the standard-bearer for modern day managers, Guardiola is one of the most decorated coaches in history. Promoted to the Barcelona position from their 'B' setup, Guardiola would shape the team into one of the greatest club sides of all time. During his four years at Barca, Guardiola won a club record 14 trophies. The Catalan's move to Bayern Munich brought even more trophies, including three successive Bundesliga titles. In his second season at Manchester City, Guardiola led the club to a record-breaking league title. Guardiola the player was no slouch either, and was part of Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' that won four successive La Liga titles. Guardiola won another two Spanish league titles as well as the 1992 European Cup. Reuters
  • Zinedine Zidane: One of the greatest midfielders of all time and an international colleague of Henry's, Zidane won it all as a player, including league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as the 2002 Champions League, which he settled with one of the tournament's finest ever goals. Zidane also produced for France - winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. His first foray into management went rather well, too. Zidane took over at Real Madrid in January 2016 and won an unprecedented three successive Champions League titles, as well as the Primera Liga title in his first full season. Currently unemployed having left Madrid in the summer, there will be no shortage of takers for the Frenchman's services. AFP
    Zinedine Zidane: One of the greatest midfielders of all time and an international colleague of Henry's, Zidane won it all as a player, including league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as the 2002 Champions League, which he settled with one of the tournament's finest ever goals. Zidane also produced for France - winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. His first foray into management went rather well, too. Zidane took over at Real Madrid in January 2016 and won an unprecedented three successive Champions League titles, as well as the Primera Liga title in his first full season. Currently unemployed having left Madrid in the summer, there will be no shortage of takers for the Frenchman's services. AFP
  • Carlo Ancelotti: Perhaps better known nowadays for his managerial success, but Ancelotti has a playing CV that would be the envy of many. A winner of three Serie A titles with Roma and AC Milan, the former midfielder also won two European Cups (Milan) and four Coppa Italias (Roma). Ancelotti is only one of three managers to win three Champions League titles (twice with Milan, once with Real Madrid), he won the domestic double of league and FA Cup with Chelsea and also won league titles in France (Paris Saint-Germain) and Germany (Bayern Munich). Now back in Italy with Napoli aiming to lead the club to their first scudetto in 29 years. Getty Images
    Carlo Ancelotti: Perhaps better known nowadays for his managerial success, but Ancelotti has a playing CV that would be the envy of many. A winner of three Serie A titles with Roma and AC Milan, the former midfielder also won two European Cups (Milan) and four Coppa Italias (Roma). Ancelotti is only one of three managers to win three Champions League titles (twice with Milan, once with Real Madrid), he won the domestic double of league and FA Cup with Chelsea and also won league titles in France (Paris Saint-Germain) and Germany (Bayern Munich). Now back in Italy with Napoli aiming to lead the club to their first scudetto in 29 years. Getty Images
  • Kenny Dalglish: Forget his brief spell at Liverpool in 2011/12 (which, to be fair, still brought a League Cup), Dalglish is one of the most successful people ever employed by the Merseyside club. In competition with Steven Gerrard as the club's greatest player, Dalglish won six league titles and three European Cups during the 1970's and '80s. Taking over as player-manager for the 85/86 season, the former forward led Liverpool to their first ever double, before winning another two league titles and two FA Cups. Then led Blackburn Rovers to their first and only Premier League title. Dalglish is now a non-executive director at Liverpool. AFP
    Kenny Dalglish: Forget his brief spell at Liverpool in 2011/12 (which, to be fair, still brought a League Cup), Dalglish is one of the most successful people ever employed by the Merseyside club. In competition with Steven Gerrard as the club's greatest player, Dalglish won six league titles and three European Cups during the 1970's and '80s. Taking over as player-manager for the 85/86 season, the former forward led Liverpool to their first ever double, before winning another two league titles and two FA Cups. Then led Blackburn Rovers to their first and only Premier League title. Dalglish is now a non-executive director at Liverpool. AFP
  • Franz Beckenbauer. Regarded as Germany's and Bayern Munich's greatest ever player, Beckenbauer's playing career was unsurprisingly packed with trophies. At Bayern, the former defender won four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and three European Cups. Beckenbauer then won another league title at Hamburg in 1982. For West Germany, he captained the side to the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer's managerial career was almost as impressive - leading Germany to the 1990 World Cup, before collecting the the Ligue 1 title at Maresille and the Bundesliga title and Uefa Cup with Bayern. AFP
    Franz Beckenbauer. Regarded as Germany's and Bayern Munich's greatest ever player, Beckenbauer's playing career was unsurprisingly packed with trophies. At Bayern, the former defender won four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and three European Cups. Beckenbauer then won another league title at Hamburg in 1982. For West Germany, he captained the side to the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer's managerial career was almost as impressive - leading Germany to the 1990 World Cup, before collecting the the Ligue 1 title at Maresille and the Bundesliga title and Uefa Cup with Bayern. AFP
  • Fabio Capello: His time with England may have descended into chaos, but Capello is one of the most decorated managers in history. The Italian has won four Serie A titles with AC Milan and two La Liga titles with Real Madrid. He also led Milan to the 1994 Champions League title, and won two scudettos with Juventus which were subsequently revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal. Capello was also a top-level player in the 1960s and '70s, winning three league titles with Juventus and another with Milan. His managerial career has slowed since his stint with England and he was most recently in China with Jiangsu Suning. Christopher Pike / The National
    Fabio Capello: His time with England may have descended into chaos, but Capello is one of the most decorated managers in history. The Italian has won four Serie A titles with AC Milan and two La Liga titles with Real Madrid. He also led Milan to the 1994 Champions League title, and won two scudettos with Juventus which were subsequently revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal. Capello was also a top-level player in the 1960s and '70s, winning three league titles with Juventus and another with Milan. His managerial career has slowed since his stint with England and he was most recently in China with Jiangsu Suning. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Didier Deschamps: Alongside Zidane in the Juventus and France midfields, Deschamps has a similarly glittering trophy cabinet to his former teammate. A three-time Serie A winner with Juve as well as the 1996 Champions League title, Deschamps also won two Ligue 1 titles with Marseille and the 1993 European Cup. His brief time in England earned him an FA Cup with Chelsea. For France, Deschamps won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Perhaps not as widely recognised for his managerial achievements as others on this list, Deschamps nevertheless stacks up against the best. A Ligue 1 title and three French Cups with Marseille as well as guiding Juventus to promotion in 2007. But of course Deschamps crowning moment came this summer when he led France to the World Cup, becoming just the third person to win the title as player and manager. Still France manager and plotting their assault on the 2020 European Championship. Reuters
    Didier Deschamps: Alongside Zidane in the Juventus and France midfields, Deschamps has a similarly glittering trophy cabinet to his former teammate. A three-time Serie A winner with Juve as well as the 1996 Champions League title, Deschamps also won two Ligue 1 titles with Marseille and the 1993 European Cup. His brief time in England earned him an FA Cup with Chelsea. For France, Deschamps won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Perhaps not as widely recognised for his managerial achievements as others on this list, Deschamps nevertheless stacks up against the best. A Ligue 1 title and three French Cups with Marseille as well as guiding Juventus to promotion in 2007. But of course Deschamps crowning moment came this summer when he led France to the World Cup, becoming just the third person to win the title as player and manager. Still France manager and plotting their assault on the 2020 European Championship. Reuters
  • Antonio Conte: The third member of the Zidane-Deschamps midfield at Juventus, Conte's achievements as a player go somewhat under the radar. But the Italian former midfielder won five Serie A titles with Juventus, the 1996 Champions League and the 1993 Uefa Cup. Despite his acrimonious exit from Chelsea this summer, there is no doubting Conte's pedigree as a manager, including three successive league titles with Juventus. He then took over Chelsea after their previous nightmare season and guided the club to a then record-breaking league campaign, before winning the FA Cup in his second and final season in charge. Conte also gained immense credit for his role in Italy reaching the Euro 2016 quarter-finals despite what many believed was the nation's worst squad at a major tournament. Currently unemployed but is sure to be in consideration for any future high-profile positions. EPA
    Antonio Conte: The third member of the Zidane-Deschamps midfield at Juventus, Conte's achievements as a player go somewhat under the radar. But the Italian former midfielder won five Serie A titles with Juventus, the 1996 Champions League and the 1993 Uefa Cup. Despite his acrimonious exit from Chelsea this summer, there is no doubting Conte's pedigree as a manager, including three successive league titles with Juventus. He then took over Chelsea after their previous nightmare season and guided the club to a then record-breaking league campaign, before winning the FA Cup in his second and final season in charge. Conte also gained immense credit for his role in Italy reaching the Euro 2016 quarter-finals despite what many believed was the nation's worst squad at a major tournament. Currently unemployed but is sure to be in consideration for any future high-profile positions. EPA
  • Diego Simeone: An uncompromising and tough midfielder, Simeone enjoyed a long and illustrious career at the top level with Atletico Madrd, Inter Milan, and Lazio as well as earning over 100 caps for Argentina. He won the domestic double of La Liga and Copa del Rey with Atletico in 1996, won the Uefa Cup with Inter in 1998, and then another domestic double of Serie A and Coppa Italia in 2000 while at Lazio. For Argentina, Simeone helped his nation win back-to-back Copa America titles. As a manager, Simeone is without doubt one of the finest of the current generation, transforming Atletico into a genuine superpower and guiding the club to the 2014 La Liga title and two Europa League titles. Has fallen short twice in the Champions League final.
    Diego Simeone: An uncompromising and tough midfielder, Simeone enjoyed a long and illustrious career at the top level with Atletico Madrd, Inter Milan, and Lazio as well as earning over 100 caps for Argentina. He won the domestic double of La Liga and Copa del Rey with Atletico in 1996, won the Uefa Cup with Inter in 1998, and then another domestic double of Serie A and Coppa Italia in 2000 while at Lazio. For Argentina, Simeone helped his nation win back-to-back Copa America titles. As a manager, Simeone is without doubt one of the finest of the current generation, transforming Atletico into a genuine superpower and guiding the club to the 2014 La Liga title and two Europa League titles. Has fallen short twice in the Champions League final.
  • Frank Rijkaard: It all went a bit sour during his final season at Barcelona, but Rijkaard was responsible for reviving a club that had endured a difficult few years. During his five years at Barca, Rijkaard won two La Liga titles and the 2006 Champions League. And of course, the Dutchman was responsible for handing a debut to the club's - and arguably the world's - greatest player, Lionel Messi. As a player, Rijkaard was a key part of Ajax's great generation, helping the club win five league titles and the 1995 Champions League. At AC Milan, he won two European Cups and two Serie A titles. Rijkaard was also a central part of the Netherlands team that won the 1998 European Championship. Retired in 2016 after a two year stint with Saudi Arabia.
    Frank Rijkaard: It all went a bit sour during his final season at Barcelona, but Rijkaard was responsible for reviving a club that had endured a difficult few years. During his five years at Barca, Rijkaard won two La Liga titles and the 2006 Champions League. And of course, the Dutchman was responsible for handing a debut to the club's - and arguably the world's - greatest player, Lionel Messi. As a player, Rijkaard was a key part of Ajax's great generation, helping the club win five league titles and the 1995 Champions League. At AC Milan, he won two European Cups and two Serie A titles. Rijkaard was also a central part of the Netherlands team that won the 1998 European Championship. Retired in 2016 after a two year stint with Saudi Arabia.
  • Luis Enrique: One of a rare breed of players to play for Real Madrid and Barcelona, Enrique collected trophies at both Spanish giants. At Madrid, Enrique won La Liga and a Copa del Rey, before winning two of each following his move to Barca, while the former midfielder earned more than 60 caps for Spain. His start to management was far from spectacular with stints at Roma and Celta, but his three years at Barcelona catapulted Enrique to elite-level status. He led the club to the treble in 2015 and the double the following year. After taking a sabbatical having decided to leave Barca in 2017, Enrique is now tasked with transforming the Spain national team after a dismal World Cup. Reuters
    Luis Enrique: One of a rare breed of players to play for Real Madrid and Barcelona, Enrique collected trophies at both Spanish giants. At Madrid, Enrique won La Liga and a Copa del Rey, before winning two of each following his move to Barca, while the former midfielder earned more than 60 caps for Spain. His start to management was far from spectacular with stints at Roma and Celta, but his three years at Barcelona catapulted Enrique to elite-level status. He led the club to the treble in 2015 and the double the following year. After taking a sabbatical having decided to leave Barca in 2017, Enrique is now tasked with transforming the Spain national team after a dismal World Cup. Reuters
  • Johan Cruyff: Another Barcelona legend and perhaps the best example of a great player who became a successful manager. Cruyff is regarded as one of the finest footballers of all time, firing Ajax to eight league titles, five Dutch Cups and three European Cups. After moving to Barcelona, Cruyff won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, while he led the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final. As a manager, Cruyff took charge of his two old clubs, leading Ajax to successive Dutch Cups before before guiding Barca to four successive La Liga titles and the 1992 Champions League. However, it was the philosophical imprint Cruyff left on Barcelona that would be his lasting legacy and would shape the club for generations. Reuters
    Johan Cruyff: Another Barcelona legend and perhaps the best example of a great player who became a successful manager. Cruyff is regarded as one of the finest footballers of all time, firing Ajax to eight league titles, five Dutch Cups and three European Cups. After moving to Barcelona, Cruyff won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, while he led the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final. As a manager, Cruyff took charge of his two old clubs, leading Ajax to successive Dutch Cups before before guiding Barca to four successive La Liga titles and the 1992 Champions League. However, it was the philosophical imprint Cruyff left on Barcelona that would be his lasting legacy and would shape the club for generations. Reuters

Football

Pep Guardiola, Zinedine Zidane and other great players who became great managers - can Thierry Henry join them?

Former Arsenal striker has taken the reins at Monaco and will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of other elite managers who were once world class players

Jon Turner

October 18, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Thierry Henry has become the latest high-profile former footballer to step into management after taking the reins at French club Monaco.

Henry was one of the finest footballers of his generation, making an indelible mark on the Premier League during eight seasons with Arsenal, where the former striker won two league titles and two FA Cups.

His subsequent three-year spell in Spain at Barcelona brought more trophies, with two Primera Liga titles, a Copa del Rey and the 2009 Uefa Champions League.

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Read more:

Thierry Henry hopes success as player rubs off on Monaco

Thierry Henry 'cannot wait to meet' Monaco players after being named manager

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On the international scene, Henry helped France to win the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.

Undoubtedly a world-class player in his day, Henry will now look to join a select group who successfully transitioned from illustrious playing careers into elite-level management.

In the gallery above, we have chosen 10 modern-day managers who were once top-class players and are now top-class managers.

To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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