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 this 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 league and Champions League winners are currently available.
We’ve taken a look at 10 of the best football managers who are currently out of work.
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 recently announced his decision to stand down as France head coach after the 2026 World Cup.
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 44-year-old was linked with both Manchester United and Inter Miami earlier in the season but they’ve since hired different managers.
Allegri boasts a trophy-winning pedigree, having won six Serie A titles, five Coppa Italias and three Italian Super Cups in his managerial career.
But he was sacked by Juventus following his aggressive behaviour in the 2023/24 Coppa Italia final and is now considering his options.
The 57-year-old reportedly rejected a lucrative offer from a Saudi Pro League side in the summer and is still considering his options.
“Allegri is looking for an interesting project to coach with his characteristics, his beliefs that are clear to everyone,” his agent said. “I think he has shown something in these years, he loves his job and will wait for an important project.”
This is the last moment of Max Allegri’s second stint at Juventus. What a way to go out!pic.twitter.com/hkFGIXuqGf
— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) May 17, 2024
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.
The 42-year-old made the shock decision to resign after that 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid and is now waiting for another opportunity.
“I am ready to go for the next chapter in my career,” he said. “I have been reflecting and preparing myself, considering what went well in the past and which things I don’t want to repeat.
“I am a young manager, but in three seasons as a head coach I have been able to fight for trophies every season.”
Solskjaer initially impressed in the Manchester United dugout and guided them to third and second-place finishes in his two full seasons at the club.
But the 51-year-old was sacked after a poor start to the 2021/22 season and is now working as a technical director for UEFA.
He reportedly turned down the chance to replace Kasper Hjulmand as manager of the Denmark national team and would like to return to club management.
“I’ve got at least one club job in me,” Solskjaer said. “It has to be an interesting one, somewhere, an adventure, somewhere I can be myself.
“No disrespect but after you’ve managed Manchester United for three years it’s like where do you go? I want to feel that pressure again. When you see the games, you miss it.”
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench at a Manchester United game
Ten Hag forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting coaches after leading his Ajax side to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19.
He took over at Manchester United in 2022 and helped end their six-year trophy, winning the Carabao Cup in 2022/23 and the FA Cup in 2023/24.
The 54-year-old is now without a job after being sacked by United and would consider a return to Ajax, who have failed to win the Eredivisie since his departure.
“Yes, why not? I had a very good period at Ajax,” he said. “I was able to work there in a very pleasant way. It is a fascinating club with many possibilities.”
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.
He decided to step down following the 2-1 defeat against Spain in the Euro 2024 final and has since joined UEFA as a technical observer.
The 54-year-old is planning to take a year’s hiatus from management but has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.
“I was 35 years old when I managed in the Premier League and we finished 12th and 13th,” he said. “I knew nothing like what I know now. There isn’t a job in world football that would intimidate or daunt you, having lived this one.”
Reconnected the nation. Built an environment for success. Created memories to last a lifetime.
Thank you, Gareth. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/NESgEiQZMO
— England (@England) July 16, 2024
Fonseca joined AC Milan last summer after impressing at Lille but failed to live up to expectations in his six-month stint at the San Siro.
The 51-year-old was among the contenders for the Everton job and has previously expressed a desire to work in the Premier League.
“I have to confess it is very attractive the championship in England, with the best coaches, with the best teams, with the best players,” he said.
“Of course, to challenge myself in this way, to play against the best, can be amazing.”
Mancini has managed over 800 games in a career that has seen him work in Italy, England, Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia.
He has won three Serie A titles, five Coppa Italias, a Premier League title, an FA Cup, the Turkish Cup and a European Championship title.
The 60-year-old recently reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with the Saudi Arabia national team after just 14 months in charge and is now looking for his next job.
🇮🇹 Italy’s winning moment 🥇 Roberto Mancini 😄🎉@azzurri | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/jmrRlUAUfr
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@UEFAEURO) July 12, 2021
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.
But while Klopp, who rejected an offer to take over as USMNT head coach in the summer, won’t be seen on the touchline any time soon, he will have a new job from January, when he will take up a role as the global head of soccer for Red Bull, overseeing advice on playing philosophies and development across their network of clubs.
And 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 the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Honourable mentions: Joachim Low, Maurizio Sarri, Niko Kovac, Rudi Garcia, Kasper Hjulmand, Lucien Favre, Rafa Benitez, Sean Dyche.
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