Highest paid managers in Europe: Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola rake in £15m a season while Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane a third of that
AS Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola battle it out to become Europe’s highest paid boss, it seems to be the English clubs who are coming out on top when it comes to spending.
Seven out of the ten managers with the biggest pay packets are from English sides, reflecting the money Premier League teams are willing to pay.
Manchester rivals Mourinho and Guardiola both earn around £290,000 a-week, but who else is being paid millions to guide their teams to the top?
Jose Mourinho – Manchester United – £15million
After a disappointing return to Chelsea, Mourinho signed a new three-year contract with Manchester United this year, enjoying a £5m raise in salary due to the move. Highlighting, the Manchester club’s ability to splash the cash when it comes to their managerial staff.
Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – £15m
Joint first with Mourinho, Guardiola has gone from Barcelona to Bayern Munich and has never been too far down the table when it comes to the salary ranks. However, after Pellegrini’s exit and a mediocre fourth-place finish, Man City were willing to pay the price to restart their title hopes for this season. Matching that of Jose’s £290,000 a-week
Carlo Ancelotti – Bayern Munich – £9m
Replacing Guardiola at Bayern this season leaves Ancelotti slightly behind the two Premier League managers. He has, however, recruited his son to be the assistant coach at Bayern. Although, stirring controversial nepotistic comments, that means more money is going from Bayern to the Ancelotti name.
Arsene Wenger – Arsenal – £8.5m
After 20 years at Arsenal, Wenger is in third place with an impressive £8.5m annual salary. Fans, at the moment, though doubt his reign as his reluctance to spend money leaves Arsenal with a weak start to the season.
Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool – £7m
Klopp signed a six year deal at Anfield and is set to earn £42m during his time at Anfield. It is the German’s highest ever salary, and he’s been tasked with revolutionising the side and bringing back the glory years.
Antonio Conte – Chelsea – £6.5m
Taking over at Chelsea this season, Conte finds himself mid-table in terms of the money. Starting his lead at the new club by signing Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante. He is clearly keen to make his mark on the club.
Mauricio Pochettino – Tottenham – £5.5m
Spurs have forked out five and a half million for the former Southampton boss. Pochettino is looking to improve on Tottenham’s third place finish last year by putting his faith in Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen’s ability going forward.
Zinedine Zidane – Real Madrid – £4.5m
After Zidane delivered Real Madrid’s 11th European Cup last season, his wages have been doubled. His success at the club moved him up to seventh place in the top 10 highest paid managers. Given Real Madrid’s stature, though, it’s surprising to see him so far down the list.
Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid – £4.4m
Simone signed a contract that keeps him at Atletico Madrid until 2020 after his side came so close to winning La Liga for the second time in three years last season.
Rafa Benitez – Newcastle – £4m
After Newcastle’s relegation last season, Benitez has been retained to try to pick up the pieces. He is earning the ninth largest salary of a manager in Europe despite the fact he’s not even in the top flight of English football.
Max Allegri – Juventus- £3.5m
The 10th highest paid manager in Europe is Max Allegri at Juventus. The Turn side have had a stranglehold on Italian football under his management and also reached the Champions League final in 2015.