10 Best Available Managers in Football Right Now [Ranked]

Every season, the managerial merry-go-round throws up plenty of surprises. People who looked safe in their job one minute are suddenly sacked off the back of a few bad results. Elsewhere, out of desperation, clubs will hire long-forgotten names in hopes of a miracle, or as part of a long-term plan to turn a club’s fortunes around.

No matter what point of the campaign you are in, a fresh new sacking is inevitably on the horizon. With that being the case, there are always a handful of managers waiting in the wings, ready to take on a new role. Even right now, there are a number of big names who are currently out of work. Taking that into account, GIVEMESPORT has decided to rank the best options out there right now.

10 David Moyes

Last team: West Ham United (2024)

It always felt like David Moyes was fighting a losing battle at West Ham United. He initially joined the club to help them survive relegation before returning less than two years later to do the same but secured a longer-term deal for himself.

During his time at the London Stadium, Moyes guided the Hammers to a historic Europa Conference League victory, which should be enough to cement his status as an iconic figure. However, fans took issue with the Scotsman’s style of play, which eventually led to his amicable departure in 2024. Spaniard Julen Lopetegui replaced him with the aim of playing more attractive football, but the change has yet to bear fruit.

9 Graham Potter

Last team: Chelsea (2023)

It’s easy to forget that Graham Potter was viewed as one of the most exciting young coaches in England, if not Europe, before he took the Chelsea job. After all, he’d shown remarkable talent to go from the fourth tier of Swedish football with Ostersund all the way to Stamford Bridge in the space of 11 years (via Swansea City and then Brighton & Hove Albion).

And while his time with the Blues was pretty damaging, things have been so chaotic in West London of late, that it’s hard to know how much Potter should be blamed for his failure there. He has claimed to not have been considered for the vacant England job, which was ironically given to the man he placed at Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel.

8 Sergio Conceicao

Last team: Porto (2024)

Being on the free market is not something Sergio Conceicao is particularly used to, as the Portuguese coach had previously been secure in his job at Porto for close to a decade. That changed in the summer of 2024, though, as both parties decided it was time to move in a different direction.

Whoever snaps him up will benefit from a wealth of winning experience, as the 49-year-old led the Primeira Liga giants to three league titles and five domestic cups during his time in charge. He is one of an array of exciting young Portuguese coaches coming up through the ranks.

7 Roberto Mancini

Last team: Saudi Arabia (2024)

Having decided to walk away from the most lucrative contract of his career in just over a year, Roberto Mancini is once again a free agent. The man who guided Italy to the European Championships in 2021 was hired by Saudi Arabia as the region looked to continue strengthening its grip on modern-day football.

With improved performances at future World Cups the obvious target, Mancini resigned from his £21.5 million-per-year role. The ex-Inter Milan boss famously masterminded Manchester City’s first-ever Premier League title, which included that famous Sergio Aguero goal.

6 Erik ten Hag

Last team: Manchester United (2024)

When Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United, the excitement was palpable around Old Trafford. Finally, the Red Devils had an elite tactician in control, and there was hope that the Dutchman could be the man to guide them back to the Premier League summit.

That, unfortunately, was not to be the case. Although United secured a top four finish in Ten Hag’s first season, they capitulated in 2023/24, dropping to eighth place. A poor start to the 2024/25 campaign saw him sacked in October, with the Manchester outfit floundering in the bottom half of the table. Nevertheless, two cup triumphs in his tenure did add some shine to his reign, and the performances of his Ajax team also still live on in the memory. It’s hard to imagine the 54-year-old will be short of offers to return to the dugout soon.

5 Edin Terzic

Last team: Borussia Dortmund (2024)

Edin Terzic’s departure from Borussia Dortmund after the Champions League final was one that came totally out of the blue. The 41-year-old had risen through the ranks at the club since 2018, and in his final season as manager had guided the team to second place in the Bundesliga and to the biggest game in European football.

Although the Yellow Wall didn’t get to taste victory at Wembley, it appears as though Terzic decided it was time to leave on a high as he shockingly announced that he would leave the club shortly after, being replaced by his own assistant and former Dortmund midfielder, Nuri Sahin.

4 Gareth Southgate

Last team: England (2024)

It is quite hard to understand where Gareth Southgate falls in the modern-day football landscape. On one hand, he is one of England’s best-performing managers and the only other since Sir Alf Ramsey to guide the Three Lions to a major final. On the other, the fact he made two European finals and lost both with such talented squads leaves question marks over his ability to get a team over the line.

There are also some doubts as to whether he is tactically ready to move into the highest level of club management, but in terms of who is currently on the market, there are very few with his pedigree over the last 10 years.

3 Xavi

Last team: Barcelona (2024)

It was destiny that Xavi would at some point take charge at the Nou Camp – the stadium where he controlled the game on the pitch as one of the influential midfielders of his generation. However, there is a chance the job came too soon in his career. A combination of his inexperience, plus the instability surrounding Barcelona no doubt played a factor in his will he, won’t he departure.

That being said, Xavi did manage to come away with a La Liga title to his name and enough credibility that it won’t be long before another team decides to take a punt on the 44-year-old.

2 Massimiliano Allegri

Last team: Juventus (2024)

It’s safe to say that Massimiliano Allegri’s second stint in charge at Juventus was nowhere near as successful as his first. During his initial tenure, the Old Lady were the dominant force in Italy, winning Serie A titles for fun left, right and centre. However, as the tide began to turn, Allegri was out and then back into the job after Andrea Pirlo failed to make an impact.

While it is likely that Juventus were once again eyeing up his removal at the end of the season anyway, Allegri was sacked immediately after winning the 2024 Italian Cup after the club condemned his behaviour during the final which saw him have a meltdown on the sidelines.

1 Zinedine Zidane

Last team: Real Madrid (2021)

When looking at all the managerial options available right now, it’s hard to look past Zinedine Zidane as the best coach out there. After all, in two spells at Real Madrid, he won just about everything, at least twice. This included La Liga twice, the Champions League three times, Supercopa de Espana twice, the Super Cup twice and the Club World Cup twice.

Indeed, the Frenchman has the rare talent of being a brilliant player and a brilliant coach but Los Blancos are the only team to have truly taken full advantage of that. Having left the Spanish giants in 2021, Zidane has yet to take a new job and even turned down an approach from Marseille back in his native France. It will be fascinating to see where he ends up next.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 30/10/2024