Top 10 managerial upgrades of the past decade

Real Madrid became an unstoppable force under Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid became an unstoppable force under Zinedine Zidane

#7 Luigi Delneri to Antonio Conte (Juventus)

Antonio Conte with one of his three Serie A titles with Juve
Antonio Conte with one of his three Serie A titles with Juve

In the 15 years of his managerial career, Antonio Conte has managed to amass a total of nine trophies with multiple clubs. However, his most impressive spell came during his three-year stay in Turin. Conte managed Juventus to three consecutive Scudetto wins and kick-started an era of unparalleled dominance in the Italian game.

Prior to Conte's commissioning as manager, the Bianconeri had last won a league title in the 2002-03 season. He revolutionized the 3-5-2 formation, building his team on the base of three sturdy defenders and two offensive wingbacks. The Italian manager's unique approach to the game helped reinstate Juventus' former glory. This was then expanded upon by his successor, Massimiliano Allegri.


#6 Manuel Pellegrini to Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

Pep Guardiola with the 2020-21 Premier League title
Pep Guardiola with the 2020-21 Premier League title

Manchester City had already won the Premier League twice by the time Pep Guardiola set his eye on the managerial job at the Etihad. However, his arrival transmuted the Cityzens into European powerhouses. The Spaniard's "Positional Play," coupled with City's resources, formed a deadly combination.

Guardiola's accolades for the Sky Blues include making them the first-ever domestic quadruple winners in English football. He also led his team to become the first-ever centurions (100-point season) in Premier League history, while winning three league titles as well. Guardiola has successfully assembled one of the finest squads in England, ever.

However, the former Barcelona manager's failure to win the Champions League has been the only taint of his City career. Guardiola's own high standards are the only reason that devoids him of his right to finish higher on this list.


#5 Edoardo Reja to Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)

Atalanta reached a cup final under Gian Piero Gasperini
Atalanta reached a cup final under Gian Piero Gasperini

Atalanta have experienced a meteoric rise in form ever since hiring former Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The club were promoted to Serie A at the beginning of this decade and went through five consecutive bottom-half finishes before announcing the arrival of the 63-year-old in 2016.

Under his tutelage, Atalanta have played some of the most attractive football in all of Europe. Gasperini took La Dea from the foot of the table to a fourth-place finish in his debut season. This helped them qualify for a European tournament after 27 long years. In the four years since his initiation, Atalanta have finished seventh once and third on three occasions.


#4 Fernando Da Cruz to Christophe Galtier (Lille OSC)

Christophe Galtier looks on during a UCL clash against Chelsea
Christophe Galtier looks on during a UCL clash against Chelsea

A tale similar to Gasperini's, Christophe Galtier was appointed Lille manager in December 2017. The French outfit were moldering in a relegation scrap at the time. A 17th place finish in his first season proved to be a far cry from their title-winning season of 10/11.

Since then, Lille has consistently finished inside the top four under the French manager's watchful eye. In the modern Ligue 1 era dominated by the cash-laden Paris Saint Germain, Galtier managed to do the impossible in the 2020-21 season. His inspired Lille side pipped the reigning champions to first place, securing their first league title in 10 years.

Galtier recently departed the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to join OGC Nice.

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Edited by Anantaajith Raghuraman
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