10 managers who used youth players the most in the last decade

Managers play youth players most league minutes Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has invested in youth at all three clubs he has managed

#3 Dieter Hecking

Dieter Hecking Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne's best season came under Dieter Hecking when the midfielder turned 23

League minutes played by U-23 players: 25.1%

German boss Dieter Hecking has managed a number of clubs in the past decade. From Hannover 96 to FC Nurnberg to VfL Wolfsburg, the 53-year-old is now in charge of Borussia Mönchengladbach.

At Hannover, he trusted former defenders Håvard Nordtveit and Dennis Diekmeier, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting - all of whom made more than 20 appearances a season.

It was at Wolfsburg where he really turned heads, taking them to the Europa League and even the Champions League where they almost knocked out Real Madrid.

Ricardo Rodrigues, Robin Knoche, and Maximilian Arnold were heavily involved while Kevin De Bruyne had 10 goals and 20 assists in his final season at the club. His final season at the club also saw the rise of Julian Draxler.

At 'Gladbach, he has so far tried to put his faith in Denis Zakaria and Nico Elvedi (both 21) while 18-year-old midfielder Michaël Cuisance is one to watch out for.

Quick Links

Edited by Shambhu Ajith
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications