The best available football managers: Xavi, Zidane, Terzic…

A number of high-profile football managers are currently out of work and eagerly waiting for their chance to return to the dugout.

Several clubs in Europe have made managerial changes in the 2024/25 season and Manchester United had to pay £9.24million in compensation to hire Ruben Amorim.

But clubs can look to the free agent market when hiring a new manager as former Premier League, Champions League and World Cup winners are currently available.

We’ve taken a look at 10 of the best football managers who are currently out of work.

Zinedine Zidane 

• Teams managed: Real Madrid (2016-2018, 2019-2021)
• Trophies won: La Liga (2016/17, 2019/20), Champions League (2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18), Supercopa De Espana (2017, 2020), Super Cup (2016, 2017), Club World Cup (2016, 2017)
• Win percentage: 62.5%

Zidane enjoyed two trophy-laden 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 he left Madrid at the end of the 2020/21 season but hasn’t ruled out a return to the dugout.

“I am busy in a different way,” he said. “I miss the daily routine sometimes, even if the daily life of a manager is hectic. I took a break which has become a big break but sometimes I miss it.”

He is the early favourite to replace Didier Deschamps, who has announced his decision to stand down as France head coach after the 2026 World Cup.

Xavi Hernandez

• Teams managed: Barcelona (2021-2024), Al Sadd (2019-2021)
• Trophies won: La Liga (2022/23), Supercopa de Espana (2023), Qatar Stars League (2020/21), Qatar Cup (2020, 2021), Sheikh Jassim Cup (2019), Emir of Qatar Cup (2020, 2021), Qatari Stars Cup (2019/20)
• Win percentage: 63.9%

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 head coach in November 2021 and won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in his first full season in charge.

Despite revoking his decision to step down at the end of the 2023/24 season, he was sacked by Barcelona after publicly speaking about the club’s financial struggles.

The 45-year-old was reportedly on Manchester United’s shortlist before they hired Amorim, and he has hinted that his next job could be in the Premier League.

“There’s no hurry for me, but I’d like a good project,” he said. “Like, ‘You have four years to work and make a project’. I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it’s too much about the result.”

Thiago Motta

• Teams managed: Juventus (2024-2025), Bologna (2022-2024), Spezia (2021-2022), Genoa (2019)
• Trophies won: N/A
• Win percentage: 39.3%

Motta forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting coaches after leading his Bologna side to Champions League qualification in 2023/24.

The 42-year-old replaced Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus last summer and signed a three-year contract, but his spell at the Allianz Stadium lasted barely nine months.

“Right now, I’m enjoying my time with my family because, when I’m coaching, my family stays in Portugal, as we don’t want to change schools for the girls,” he said after being sacked.

“It’s a privilege to be with them at such a negative moment. But I’m ready to return to embrace another project, continue my work, and try to do my best in the next chapter.”

Edin Terzic

• Teams managed: Borussia Dortmund (2020-2021, 2022-2024)
• Trophies won: DFB-Pokal (2020/21)
• Win percentage: 58.6%

Terzic had two stints at Borussia Dortmund, winning the DFB-Pokal in his first spell before taking the club to the 2023/24 Champions League final.

He made the shock decision to resign after that 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid and has since rejected approaches from AC Milan, Besiktas and West Ham United.

TEAMtalk understands that the 42-year-old is ‘appreciated’ by Tottenham, who recently parted ways with Ange Postecoglou.

Sergio Conceicao

• Teams managed: AC Milan (2024-2025), Porto (2017-2024), Nantes (2016-2017), Vitoria Guimaraes (2015-2016), Braga (2014-2015), Academica (2013-2014), Olhanense (2012-2013)
• Trophies won: Primeira Liga (2017/18, 2019/20, 2021/22), Taca de Portugal (2019/20, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24), Taca da Liga (2022/23), Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (2018, 2020, 2022), Supercoppa Italiana (2024)
• Win percentage: 60.8%

Conceicao stepped down from Porto at the end of the 2023/24 season, bringing to an end a seven-year tenure that netted three league titles, four Portuguese Cups, one Portuguese League Cup and three Portuguese Super Cups.

He was named AC Milan manager last December and won the Italian Super Cup against local rivals Inter Milan just a week after taking the job.

But the 50-year-old was unable to improve their Serie A form and has now been replaced by Massimiliano Allegri, who is returning to the club for a second spell.

Rafa Benitez

• Teams managed: Celta Vigo (2023-2024), Everton (2021-2022), Dalian Professional (2019-2021), Newcastle (2016-2019), Real Madrid (2015-2016), Napoli (2013-2015), Chelsea (2012-2013), Inter (2010), Liverpool (2004-2010), Valencia (2001-2004), Tenerife (2000-2001), Extremadura (1997-1999), Osasuna (1996), Valladolid (1995-1996)
• Trophies won: La Liga (2001/02, 2003/04), Champions League (2004/05), UEFA Cup (2003/04), Europa League (2012/13), FA Cup (2005/06), Super Cup (2005), Community Shield (2006), Club World Cup (2010), Supercoppa Italiana (2010, 2014), Coppa Italia (2013/14), Championship (2016/17)
• Win percentage: 48.3%

Benitez has taken charge of over 1000 games in his managerial career and also has a host of trophies to boot, including two La Liga titles, a Champions League, two Europa League titles and the FA Cup.

The 65-year-old was sacked by Celta Vigo in March 2024 and is currently working as a technical observer for UEFA, but he is still keen on a return to the touchline.

“I’m open to anything,” he said. “Why? Because I’m not a stupid. And then when you have been one year just doing this job as a technical observer, people think: ‘oh, maybe he doesn’t want to coach.’

“Yeah, I want to coach. So any country that a team can come with a project and give you the chance to compete will be fine if the conditions are right.”

Roberto Mancini

• Teams managed: Saudi Arabia (2023-2024), Italy (2018-2023), Zenit Saint Petersburg (2017-2018), Inter (2014-2016), Galatasaray (2013-2014), Manchester City (2009-2013), Inter (2004-2008), Lazio (2002-2004), Fiorentina (2001-2002)
• Trophies won: Premier League (2011/12), Serie A (2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08), FA Cup (2010/11), Coppa Italia (2000/01, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06), Community Shield (2012), Supercoppa Italiana (2005, 2006), Turkish Cup (2013/14), Euro 2020 (2021)
• Win percentage: 54.4%

Mancini boasts a trophy-winning pedigree, having won three Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia titles, a Premier League title, an FA Cup, the Turkish Cup and a European Championship title.

His most recent job was with the Saudi Arabia national team, but he reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract after just 14 months in charge.

The 60-year-old reportedly held talks with Brazilian side Botafogo earlier this year, having not managed at club level since 2018.

🇮🇹 Italy’s winning moment 🥇 Roberto Mancini 😄🎉@azzurri | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/jmrRlUAUfr

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@UEFAEURO) July 12, 2021

Joachim Low

• Teams managed: Germany (2006-2021), Austria Wien (2003-2004), Tirol Innsbruck (2001-2002), Adanaspor (2000-2001), Karlsruher (1999-2000), Fenerbahce (1998-1999), Stuttgart (1996-1998), Frauenfeld (1994-1995)
• Trophies won: World Cup (2014), Confederations Cup (2017), DFB-Pokal (1996/97), Austrian Bundesliga (2001/02), Austrian Supercup (2003)
• Win percentage: 54.8%

Best known for his work in international football, Low had a 15-year stint in charge of Germany and led his country to World Cup glory in 2014.

His coaching career in club football includes stints at Stuttgart and Karlsruhe in Germany, as well as Adanaspor and Fenerbahce in Turkey, and Tirol Innsbruck and FK Wien in Austria.

The 65-year-old has been out of work since leaving Die Mannschaft in 2021 and is still waiting to receive the right offer.

“I haven’t been absolutely passionate about a job yet,” he said. “If that were to happen, I’d certainly be prepared to do something again if it really interested me and I found the task exciting. But I’ve ruled out coaching in the Bundesliga.”

Gareth Southgate

• Teams managed: England (2016-2024), Middlesbrough (2006-2009)
• Trophies won: N/A
• Win percentage: 43.8%

Southgate became the England manager in 2016 and led the country to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his eight-year tenure.

The 54-year-old decided to step down following the 2-1 defeat against Spain at Euro 2024 and is in no rush to return to management.

“I won’t coach in the next year, for sure, I’m certain of that,” he said in October 2024.

“I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time. I’m fortunate that there are lots of opportunities presenting themselves.”

Jurgen Klopp

• Teams managed: Liverpool (2015-2024), Borussia Dortmund (2008-2015), Mainz (2001-2008)
• Trophies won: Premier League (2019/20), Champions League (2018/2019), Bundesliga (2010/11, 2011/12), FA Cup (2021/22), EFL Cup (2021/22, 2023/24), Community Shield (2022), Super Cup (2019), Club World Cup (2019), DFB-Pokal (2011/12), DFL-Supercup (2013, 2014)
• Win percentage: 54.4%

Klopp won a Premier League title, the Champions League, the FIFA World Club Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, the 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.

He rejected an offer to take over as USMNT head coach last summer before taking up a role as the global head of soccer for Red Bull, overseeing advice on playing philosophies and development across their network of clubs.

But the agreement is understood to include a clause that would allow him to take the Germany national team job if it becomes available, with Julian Nagelsmann currently under contract until 2028.

Honourable mentions: Ange Postecoglou, Roger Schmidt, Marco Rose, Kasper Hjulmand, Lucien Favre, Steve Cooper, Sean Dyche.

READ MORE: All the done deals by Premier League clubs in the summer 2025 transfer window