In the world’s most popular sport, soccer clubs spend big to maintain high standards. Soccer managers who lead their clubs to glory get paid well in salary and bonuses.
The highest-paid soccer managers in the world command salaries that often rival top players.
Diego Simeone tops the list of highest-paid soccer managers in 2024. The Atlético de Madrid boss makes $32.2 million a year to lead Los Colchoneros.
He’s been their manager since 2011 and has achieved sustained success. Under the shadow of titans Barcelona and Real Madrid, Simeone has reestablished Atlético as a top club in La Liga.
Simeone has won eight trophies since his appointment.
Josep “Pep” Guardiola takes the second spot for highest-paid soccer managers. The former Barcelona manager earns $25.8 million to manage England’s Manchester City.
Guardiola is the most successful manager on the list. He’s won 39 total trophies managing Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
Coming in third is Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard brings in $19.4 million annually to lead the Gunners. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach in Manchester City under Guardiola.
Arteta has been Arsenal’s manager since 2019 and won the FA Cup in 2020. He’s revived Arsenal since taking over the job as manager to annual contenders for the Premier League title.
Fourth is Stefano Pioli of Al Ittihad who earns $19.3 million each year. The former AC Milan manager left Serie A at the end of May to receive a sizable pay increase to manage the Saudi Pro League squad.
Pioli was a highly regarded choice after he led AC Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years in 2021-2022.
A Liverpool legend rounds off the top five. Steven Gerrard makes $18.9 million to manage Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. The former Liverpool skipper joined the Saudi club in 2023 after a short stint with Aston Villa in the Premier League.
It pays to win.
Out of the top 25 highest-paid soccer managers, only two have never won a trophy. Almost half of the list, twelve managers, have won double-digit trophies as a manager.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Soccer Managers
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid soccer managers of 2024. The list was compiled with data from Planet Football and Express.
- Updated: November 9, 2024
| Rank | Manager | Club | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Diego Simeone | Atlético de Madrid | $32.2 million |
| 2 | Pep Guardiola | Manchester City | $25.8 million |
| 3 | Mikel Arteta | Arsenal FC | $19.4 million |
| 4 | Stefano Pioli | Al Ittihad | $19.3 million |
| 5 | Steven Gerrard | Al Ettifaq | $18.9 million |
| 6 | Luis Enrique | Paris St Germain | $11.9 million |
| 7 | Jose Mourinho | Fenerbahce | $11.4 million |
| 8 | Jorge Jesus | Al-Hilal | $10.7 million |
| T-9 | Carlo Ancelotti | Real Madrid | $10.3 million |
| T-9 | Unai Emery | Aston Villa | $10.3 million |
| 11 | Vincent Kompany | Bayern Munich | $9.7 million |
| 12 | Ruben Amorim | Manchester United | $8.4 million |
| 13 | Arne Slot | Liverpool | $8 million |
| 14 | Simone Inzaghi | Inter Milan | $7 million |
| T-15 | Sean Dyche | Everton | $6.5 million |
| T-15 | Ange Postecoglou | Tottenham | $6.5 million |
| 17 | Xabi Alonso | Bayer Leverkusen | $6.4 million |
| T-18 | Thomas Frank | Brentford | $5.8 million |
| T-18 | Oliver Glasner | Crystal Palace | $5.8 million |
| 20 | Enzo Maresca | Chelsea | $5.4 million |
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