It’s been a while since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has already been named by English as the best after Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford was sacked from Manchester United.
Now he is back on a list Teamtalk has made of the best high-profile football coaches who are currently out of work and are eagerly awaiting their chance to return to the ring.
Several clubs in Europe have made managerial changes this season and Manchester United had to pay £9.24 million in compensation to hire Ruben Amorim. But clubs can look to the free agent market when hiring a new manager, as former league and Champions League winners are currently available.
There are 10 of the best football managers who are currently out of work.
Zinedine Zidane Zidane
enjoyed two trophy-filled spells in charge of Real Madrid, winning three Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.
The 52-year-old has been out of work since leaving Madrid at the end of the 2020/21 season, but has not ruled out a return.
“I’m busy in a different way,” he said. “I miss the daily routine sometimes, even though the daily life of a manager is hectic. I took a break that has become a big break, but sometimes I miss it.”
He is the early favourite to replace Didier Deschamps, who recently announced his decision to step down as head coach of France after the 2026 World Cup.
Xavi Hernandez
After hanging up his boots in 2019, Xavi started his managerial career at Al Sadd and led the Qatari club to seven trophies in two and a half years.
The former Spain international returned to Barcelona as manager in November 2021 and won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in his first full season as manager.
Despite revoking his decision to retire at the end of the 2023/24 season, he was sacked by Barcelona after speaking publicly about the club’s financial problems.
The 44-year-old was linked with both Manchester United and Inter Miami earlier in the season, but they have since hired someone else!.
Massimiliano Allegri Allegri
has a trophy-winning pedigree, having won six Serie A titles, five Coppa Italias and three Italian Super Cups in his managerial career.
However, he was sacked by Juventus following his aggressive behaviour in the 2023/24 Coppa Italia final and is now considering his options.
“Allegri is looking for an interesting project to train with his qualities, his beliefs that are evident to everyone,” his agent said. “I think he has shown something in these years, he loves his job and will wait for an important project.”
Edin Terzic
Terzic had two rounds at Borussia Dortmund, winning the DFB-Pokal in his first spell before taking the club to the 2023/24 Champions League final.
“I’m ready for the next chapter of my career,” he said. “I have reflected and prepared, assessed what went well in the past and what things I do not want to repeat.
“I’m a young manager, but in three seasons as head coach I’ve been able to fight for trophies every season.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Solskjaer impressed initially at Manchester United, leading them to third and second place in their two full seasons at the club.
But the 51-year-old was fired after a poor start to the 2021/22 season and now works as technical director for UEFA. He is said to have turned down the chance to replace Kasper Hjulmand as manager of the Danish national team.
“I have at least one club job in me,” Solskjaer said. “It has to be an interesting one, a place, an adventure, a place I can be myself.
“No disrespect, but after you’ve been in charge of Manchester United for three years, it’s like where you go? I want to feel that pressure again. When you watch the games, you miss it.”
Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting coaches after leading his Ajax team to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19.
He took over at Manchester United in 2022 and helped close their six-year trophy, winning the Carabao Cup in 2022/23 and the FA Cup in 2023/24.
The 54-year-old is now out of a job after being sacked by United and will consider a return to Ajax, who have failed to win the Eredivisie since leaving.
“Yes, why not? I had a very good period at Ajax,” he said. “I was able to work there in a very pleasant way. It’s a fascinating club with a lot of opportunities.”
Gareth Southgate
Southgate became England manager in 2016 and led the country to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his eight-year tenure. He decided to retire after the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final and has since joined UEFA as a technical observer.
The 54-year-old plans to take a year’s break from management, but has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.
“I was 35 years old when I managed in the Premier League and we finished 12th and 13th,” he said. “I knew nothing like what I know now. There is no job in world football that will scare or intimidate you after living this one.”
Paulo Fonseca
Fonseca joined AC Milan last summer after impressing at Lille, but failed to live up to expectations during his six-month stay at the San Siro.
The 51-year-old was among the candidates for the Everton job and has previously expressed a desire to work in the Premier League.
“I have to admit that it is very attractive the championship in England, with the best coaches, with the best teams, with the best players,” he said.
“Of course, it can be fantastic to challenge myself in this way, to play against the best.”
Roberto Mancini
Mancini has managed over 800 games in a career that has seen him work in Italy, England, Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
He has won three Serie A titles, five Coppa Italias, a Premier League title, an FA Cup, the Turkish Cup and a European Championship title.
The 60-year-old recently reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with the Saudi Arabia national team after only 14 months in charge and is now looking for his next job.
Jürgen Klopp
Klopp won a Premier League title, Champions League, FIFA World Club Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups during his eight and a half years at Liverpool.
The 57-year-old cited fatigue as a primary factor in his decision to leave Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season, and he revealed his intentions to take a break from coaching.
However, while Klopp, who turned down an offer to take over as USMNT head coach this summer, will not be seen on the sidelines anytime soon, he will have a new job from January, when he will take over a role as the global head of football for Red Bull, overseeing advice on playing philosophy and development across their network of clubs.
And the deal is understood to include a clause that will allow him to take the German national team job if it becomes available, with Julian Nagelsmann currently under contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Honorable Mentions: Joachim Low, Maurizio Sarri, Niko Kovac, Rudi Garcia, Kasper Hjulmand, Lucien Favre, Rafa Benitez, Sean Dyche.
