Coaching today blends sport, business, and global branding, and the pay reflects it. The world’s top football managers now command annual salaries in the tens of millions of dollars. This article ranks the richest football coaches as of January 2026.
The World’s Richest Football Coaches (2026 Ranking)
We consider both annual salary (current contract value) and overall net worth (career earnings plus investments). Note that net worth figures are estimates from financial publications and may vary by source.
Wayne Rooney
Thanks to his achievements as a player, his post-retirement work as a pundit, and other ventures, Rooney is estimated by Goal to be worth around $228 million. These make him significantly richer than any of his peers in management. He continues to take on new challenges and is willing to persevere, despite previous spells ending with his departures from clubs like Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle and Derby County. On his last contract with Plymouth, he reportedly earned $670,000 annually.
Diego Simeone
Simeone is reported to be making approximately $34.0 million per year as of 2026, making him the highest-paid soccer manager worldwide in 2026 just from his wages. His remarkable 14-year tenure at Atlético Madrid has led to two Champions League finals, two La Liga trophies, the Copa del Rey and two Europa Leagues.
José Mourinho
José Mourinho's net worth is estimated to be near $135 million as of January 2026. Currently, the Portuguese manager is at Benfica and earns $3.5 million annually. His career has included lucrative contracts, high compensation for sackings, and endorsement deals. While his current salary may not match the very top earners, his brand and legacy ensure he remains among the richest managers historically.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola reportedly earns around $27.2 million per year at Manchester City as of 2026. His success in the Premier League and Champions League has boosted his brand value and off-field income. Off the pitch, Guardiola is involved in various endorsements. Most notably, we can point out his partnership with Puma and Nissan, serving as a brand ambassador for both.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane’s net worth sits at around $120 million in 2025. As a coach, his salary has been reported at about $12 million per season during his stint at Real Madrid. Though currently not actively coaching (since 2021), his financial standing remains among the sport’s elite.
Jürgen Klopp
Klopp’s annual salary at Liverpool (2015-2024) was reported to be around $20.8 million before he transitioned into an off-field role, where he’s been Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH since January 2025. He is not currently earning a manager’s wages; however, his reputation, global brand, and prior earnings secure his place among elite coaches.
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti is a legendary coach, having won a record five Champions League titles. After leaving Real Madrid in 2025, he signed with the Brazil national football team for nearly $11.5 million per year plus bonuses, making him one of the highest-paid national-team coaches globally. His earnings reflect performance and legacy. [banner][/banner]
Ranking Table - Richest Football Coaches in the World
As of 2026, these are the world’s richest football coaches, combining salary and estimated net worth.
| Coach (as of 2026) | Team | Annual Salary | Net Worth (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Rooney | Plymouth Argyle (former) | $670,000 (last contract) | $228 million |
| Diego Simeone | Atlético Madrid | $34.0 million | $144 million |
| Jose Mourinho | Benfica | $3.5 million | $135 million |
| Pep Guardiola | Manchester City | $27.2 million | $134 million |
| Zinedine Zidane | Former Real Madrid | $12 million (last contract) | $132 million |
| Jurgen Klopp | Former Liverpool | $20.8 million (last contract) | $56 million |
| Carlo Ancelotti | Brazil | $11.5 million | $55,7 million |
Comparing Football Coaches to Other Sports Managers
When we compare top-level sporting coaches across disciplines, the numbers reveal some interesting contrasts, especially when looking across football (soccer), the NFL, the NBA and Formula 1.
In the NFL: Liam Coen or Ben Johnson are earning at the high end around $12–20 million per year. For example, reports list the highest-paid NFL coaches as taking in between $12 million and $20 million annually.
In the NBA: Reported figures are in the region of $15-17.5 million per year. Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra and Tyron Lue lead the list. Meanwhile, the median salary for NBA managers is said to be in the region of $7 million annually.
In Formula 1: Specialists and team principals, not “coaches”, are the highest paid. For example, the top team principal in F1 is allegedly earning about $9.97 million annually.
Legendary Coaches with Massive Fortunes
It comes as no surprise that Sir Alex Ferguson is among the wealthiest managers. Over 27 years at Old Trafford, the Scottish legend was instrumental in turning Manchester United into one of the world’s most powerful clubs. While he was willing to invest heavily in top talent, he was also handsomely rewarded by the club for his success. His net worth is estimated at around $70 million. Arsene Wenger is next on the list. The French manager spent over two decades at Arsenal F.C. (1996-2018), revolutionising English football with the “Invincibles” season in 2003-04. As of 2026, his net worth is estimated to be in the region of $50 million. Another great example is Marcello Lippi. He is one of the true global icons of coaching, winning the FIFA World Cup (2006 with Italy) and the UEFA Champions League with Juventus. He once earned $28 million a year coaching in China. His net worth is estimated at about $30 million as of 2026. [banner_third][/banner_third]
The Role of Ownership and Equity in Modern Coaching
In modern football, ownership and equity play a growing role in shaping a coach’s wealth and influence. Many top coaches now benefit from performance bonuses, profit-sharing, or brand-driven incentives tied to club value. Robbie Savage was a notable example when coaching Macclesfield FC. He was listed as the third-largest shareholder (approx. 18.7%) and was then appointed head coach of the club. He’s currently managing the Forest Green Rovers.
Rising Coaches Building Their Wealth
Here are some promising coaches who are gradually building their fortunes:
Xabi Alonso - Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso has swiftly emerged as one of the rising coaching stars building serious wealth. He led the club to the Bundesliga trophy and, in June 2025, became the head coach of Real Madrid. While clear figures are not shown, he is reportedly earning up to $8 million per year at Los Blancos. He’s a coach whose net worth is poised to climb.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta oversees one of the Premier League’s most ambitious clubs, and his compensation reflects that. His annual salary is approximately $10.9 million, placing him among the better-paid coaches in England. His net worth is reported at about $25 million, showing that he’s already built a solid financial base. Arteta also benefits from off-pitch opportunities and the potential for further wealth growth.
Julian Nagelsmann - Germany
Julian Nagelsmann began his role as coach of the Germany national football team in 2023. At 38, he is one of the youngest coaches at this level and currently earns around $7 million per year. While national-team roles often offer fewer matches than club football, the prestige and his relative youth in the job mean Nagelsmann is well‐placed to build his fortune even more. [faq][/faq]