10 Famous players who became managers of their clubs 

Niko Kovac

Liverpool v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

Unlike the other names on the list, Niko Kovac did not enjoy a trophy-laden playing career. His managerial career is also relatively new to be called as one of the best in the world.

Kovac enjoyed 18 long seasons as a footballer, starting his career with Hertha Berlin. Five seasons with Hertha was followed by a move to Bayer Leverkusen. Another three seasons later, Kovac was on the move again, this time joining Hamburg. A move to Bayern Munich soon followed before a reunion with Hertha Berlin. Kovac then joined Austrian club RB Salzburg in 2006 where he hung up his boot almost 3 years later.

Kovac spent 12 years with the national side and is the 11th most capped player for Croatia.

It is with Bayern Munich that Kovac enjoyed his most success, winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal as well as the Intercontinental Cup.

Kovac managerial career started with RB Salzburg the next season, working as coach of their junior team. A season later, Kovac was named the assistant coach before leaving the Austrian side in 2011. He then had a spell with the national side, joining as the U-21 manager in 2013 before being given the top job almost 10 months later, following the sacking of Igor Stimac. Kovac was given the sack in 2015, following a poor World Cup campaign.

Kovac returned to the Bundesliga in 2016, taking charge of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Croatian enjoyed three seasons with the club, guiding Frankfurt to Europe as well as their first ever trophy since 1988, last year as they beat Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final. After three impressive seasons with Frankfurt, Kovac joined Bayern Munich last summer.

The Croatian is yet to impress the Bavarian faithful even though Bayern Munich currently sit atop the Bundesliga after a poor start to the season.