Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Bruno Génésio, Leonardo Jardim and 2018 World Cup winner Didier Deschamps. These are some of the most elite coaches currently taking their trade on the dugout. Who through different paths and roads climbed up the ladder into the very pinnacle joining an exclusive club of elite managers around the globe. Learning how to maintain a locker room of big egos and personalities and having them buy into and perform your interpretation of how football should be played is an art in itself.
Being a soccer manager in today's world has undoubtedly been made more difficult by today's media. With sports journalist's and former players seemingly not holding back when scrutinizing a manager's decision. A legacy such as the one Sir Alex Ferguson's historic 26 years with Manchester United, which included 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles among other, is a long forgotten trade.
A manager's lifespan is usually around two to four years. With respective club hierarchies never second guessing laying down the axe when things start to go wrong.
A successful and respected coach requires not only a level of pedigree but the skill of man management. For example, it's highly unlikely Atletico's Madrid high-intensity defensive minded approach would be carried out by the squad if Diego Simeone wasn't in the dugout. His world renowned high intensity training sessions which ends up leaving players exhausted is only completed due to the players respect and trust on El Cholo Simeone.
Today. we've seen an emergence of young mavericks taking their dig at the dugout. Some have been proven to be short-lived, such as Gary Neville's Valencia tenure, but others have proven to be successful with a certain level of success in their short managerial careers. In here I take a look at four of the best young managers currently taking their crack at the dugout.
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Eddie Howe
Since his appointment back in December 31, 2008 Eddie Howe has emerged as one of the most promising English manager's currently taking their ply in the dugout. Back when appointed as new Bournemouth manager, Bournemouth found themselves in a relegation battle in the English League Two (Fourth Tier), 17 points from safety.
What Eddie Howe achieved that season is nothing short of a miracle, achieving safety and in the process saving them from what would of been certain extinction for the financially-troubled Bournemouth side.
He followed that remarkable achievement the following season masterminding Bournemouth promotion to England's Third Division. He took the job at Burnley shortly after but lasted a little over 2 years at the helm, before returning to The Cherries. Since his return to the South Coast of England he's led Bournemouth towards a meteoric rise to the coveted Premier League and turning Bournemouth into a competing Premier League squad, and turned Dean Court into a stadium no team fancies visiting. Since their promotion to the Premier League back in the 2015/16 season Bournemouth have recorded respective 16th, 9th and 12th position.
Eddie Howe once said, "That is man management - just trying to put yourself in a player’s position, understand it, find a resolution. It doesn't mean I get it all right all the time, I'm sure I’ve made loads and loads of mistakes, but I try to relate to how the other person feels.” This quote demonstrates Eddie Howe's man-management process and knowledge to the game. An attribute many top managers around the globe lack.
Aside from his tactical knowledge of the game and his man management Howe possess a kean eye in the transfer market. Having signed players such as; 21 year old English sensation David Brooks, Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson, Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake, among others, and turned into important players in the Bournemouth side with vital roles to play. At 41 years of age Eddie Howe managerial career is barely starting to take off, it'd be no suprise to see him take the jump into one of Europe's top clubs in the near future.
Julian Nagelsmann
When questioned back in 2017 about the chances of him replacing the then Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti his response was classic, "Carlo Ancelotti's won more titles than I've got underwear or polo shirts in my cupboard." A classic yet humble response from the classy 31-year-old Hoffenheim coach. When other's would instantly jump on board and disrespect their current clubs, Nagelsmann showed his humility and respect towards one of football's most decorated and coveted coach.
At 31 years of age Nagelsmann has faced some of Europe's top coaches and stood his ground. Since his appointment in February, 2016 it's been nothing but success for Naggelsmann guiding Hoffenheim into safety in his inaugural season, 1 point from relegation, then leading them to a 4th place finish in the 2016/17 season and a 3rd place finish in the 2017/18 season. In the process he's achieved Champions League football with 1899 Hoffenheim something never achieved before in the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena.
What makes Nagelsmann's tenure so remarkable is he's seen important players in his system depart the club and still achieve continued success with Hoffenheim. Sandro Wagner, Sebastian Rudy, Jeremy Toljan, Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino have all left Hoffenheim, yet their absent has not been greatly missed. Nagelsmann has demonstrated an astute eye in the transfer market having seen; Andrej Kramaric, Kerem Demirbay, Sandro Wagner, Kasim Adams and Joelinthon all achieve success during his tenure.
He's already been awarded the Germany Football Manager of the year in 2017 and a move to RB Leipzig is already in the books following the conclusion of this season. With his tactical mind and astute eye to detail, his successful tenure with Hoffenheim will surely prove no fluke.
Domenico Tedesco
It's been a meteoric rise for the 33 year old Italian Domenico Tedesco. Just over a year ago nobody knew about Erzgebirge Aue new appointment, having never played a minute of professional football it seemed a gamble for the Erzgebirge hierarchy. They were rock bottom of German's second division with 11 games left in the season, it's far from the ideal position to start a managerial career Tedesco would of wanted but he hesitantly ended up taking the job. He would finish with a record of 6 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses before taking the reins of one of Germany's most historic clubs, Schalke 04.
In his first season with Schalke the task was simple, guiding Schalke 04 into the Champions Legaue having seen the club go three season's without featuring in Europe's top competition. In his first season in charge he promoted American youngsters Haji Wright and Weston McKennie from the youth setup and got rid of deadwood who were no longer deserving of a place; Sidney Sam, Eric Chupo Moting, Dennis Aogo and Coke. He brought in Nabil Bentaleb, Amine Harit and Ukrainian Winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from Sevilla. All these players would go on to become key cogs for Domenico Tedsco side.
His first season not only met expectations but exceeded them by placing second place only behind only German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Although not playing the most attractive football, Tedesco side's have a knowledge of how to pull of results and being tight knitted in the back.
Schalkes return to the Champions League saw them progress from a competitive group featuring Porto, Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Moscow. At 33, Tedesco is one of Europe's up and coming managers, having never played a competitive game it's a remarkable achievement seeing Tedesco achieve success as a manager in one of Europe's most tactical leagues.
Marco Silva
Marco Alexandre Saraiva da Silva, 41, has certainly made a name for himself since his appointment to the Hull's City dugout back in January 5, 2017. Hull City were rock bottom of the table with the Hull City faithful having nothing to celebrate, and playing some unattractive football in the process.
Marco' Silva arrival saw a resurgence in form, which saw Hull City almost stave off relegation, 6 points off safety. The following season saw Marco Silva be appointed as new Watford boss bringing in; Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu, Brazilian sensation Richarlidson, Andre Gray and Will Hughes from Derby.
The season started off well in Vicarage Road, with Watford sitting in a Champions League place by the 8th matchweek. Watford we're playing fast counterattacking football with a well-defensive back line, and Richarlidson was making a name for himself. Such positives are only going to attract intrest from Englands top clubs.
Back in Merseyside, Everton were looking for a replacment for Ronald Koeman and made their intrest for Marco Silva publicly known. Watford saw a dip in form shortly thereafter and a run of eight defeats in eleven matches saw Marco Silva sacked.
This off-season saw Everton appoint Marco Silva as new head coach, and he's certaintly repayed back Everton's faith in him. Everton are playing beautful football, not seen by Goodison Park since Roberto's Martinez first season in charge.
His signings; Andre Gomes, Richarlidson, Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina and Bernard all have looked like success stories early on in the season. Marco's Silva flaw is his big ambition, but a manager in that level should possess a level of ambition in order to strive in the one of the most competitive leagues in the world.