Sunday, August 16, 2026

The Highest-Paid Soccer Managers

  • Diego Simeone leads all soccer managers earning $33.5 million a year.
  • Eight of the highest-paid soccer managers are from the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola
Man City

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 2025. The Atlético de Madrid boss makes $33.5 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 $26.8 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 $20.2 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 managerial job to become an annual contender for the Premier League title.

Fourth is Stefano Pioli of Al Nassr who earns $20.03 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.

An old timer takes fifth on the list in David Moyes. Moyes, at 61 years old, makes $16.2 million to manage Everton in the Premier League. Since taking over Everton following Sean Dyche’s firing, Everton has only lost two games and is on a four-game undefeated streak.

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 2025. The list was compiled with data from GiveMeSport.

  • Updated: March 13th, 2025
RankManagerClubTotal Compensation
1Diego SimeoneAtlético de Madrid$33.5 million
2Pep GuardiolaManchester City$26.8 million
3Mikel ArtetaArsenal FC$20.2 million
4Stefano PioliAl Nassr$20.03 million
5David MoyesEverton$16.2 million
T-6Luis EnriqueParis St Germain$12.4 million
T-6Matthias JaissleAl Ahli$12.4 million
8Jose MourinhoFenerbahce$11.9 million
9Jorge JesusAl-Hilal$11.1 million
T-10Carlo AncelottiReal Madrid$10.7 million
T-10Unai EmeryAston Villa$10.7 million
T-10Laurent BlancAl Ittihad$10.7 million
13Vincent KompanyBayern Munich$10.1 million
14Ruben AmorimManchester United$8.7 million
15Arne SlotLiverpool$8.3 million
16Thomas TuchelEngland$7.8 million
17Simone InzaghiInter Milan$7.2 million
18Ange PostecoglouTottenham$6.7 million
19Xabi AlonsoBayer Leverkusen$6.6 million
20Thomas FrankBrentford$5.96 million

Related lists:

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Why Jeff Bezos Remains on the NFL Ownership Sidelines

FSG announced the Liverpool deal Friday.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event

The 3 Weeks That Brought Gianni Infantino and FIFA to the Brink

The FIFA president has had a no good, very bad stretch.
First at FOS

Illinois’s $30M Busey Bank Deal: Exec Road Trips, Player Job Pipeline

The jersey patch deal is part of an overall $30 million sponsorship.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold World Cup medals during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.

Trump Finally Backs Infantino Amid FIFA Leadership Crisis

Trump said it’d be a “terrible mistake” if FIFA considered replacing Infantino.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/14/26 – NBA Owners ‘Stunned’ by Lakers Sale, Knicks’ $67M Run, WTA Sex Testing Starts

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Nov 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy watches play against the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Delta Center.

Former Golden Knights Coach Cassidy: ‘I Want to Go to Work’

The former Stanley Cup winner says the current restriction is “upsetting.”
Sponsored

Volpe Brings Style to the Bronx

With the New York Yankees & Anthony Volpe, Charles Tyrwhitt is bringing its decades-long playbook to one of sports’ biggest stages.
May 22, 2026

Close’s New UCLA Contract Has Discounted WNBA Buyout Clause

Close has been the UCLA women’s basketball head coach since 2011.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Sponsored

How Thrivent and Athletes for Hope Are Leading With Purpose

Meet those making a difference as Thrivent and Athletes for Hope spotlight community impact.
April 14, 2026

Javier Mascherano Leaves Messi, Miami in Shock Departure

Mascherano won the MLS Cup in his first season last year.
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants coach John Harbaugh speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
March 30, 2026

Amid Team Ownership in Flux, Harbaugh Aims for Normalcy

The newly hired head coach eyes a Bears-type turnaround.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.