Top 5 players from the 21st century who became excellent managers

Modified Nov 20, 2019 13:33 GMT

Manchester City v Southampton FC - Premier League

#2 Diego Simeone

Diego Simone played as an all-action defensive midfielder for some notable clubs like Inter Milan, Sevilla, Lazio, and Atletico Madrid and won fans over due to his never-say-die attitude and passion with which he played the game.

His club career was littered with medals from multiple competitions including LaLiga, Serie A, and UEFA Super Cup.

It goes without saying that he was a bonafide Argentine regular and he won the Copa America on two occasions and retired as one of the greatest players in La Albiceleste history, having made a then-record 106 caps for Argentina.

Success has also come on the manager's bench and Simeone won led Argentine side Estudiantes to their first league title in 23 years in 2006, a feat he repeated with River Plate two years later.

His biggest exploits have, however, come at his former club Atletico Madrid who he has transformed from outsiders in Spain into one of the genuine heavyweights on the continent and his exploits in leading an unfancied side to the league title and Champions League final in 2014 ranks as one of the greatest in managerial history.

About the author

Elvis is a seasoned football journalist and has been with Sportskeeda for more than 6 years. He specializes in writing match previews across several leagues and competitions around the world, and his insightful tips have amassed a total readership in excess of 9.2 million till date. Elvis' meticulous attention to detail and strictly following SK's editorial guidelines have been key to achieving a vast readership. He has also exclusively covered the 2021 Nigerian Universiy Games and has provided research for an upcoming biography for a Nigerian football legend.

Elvis has been a Super Eagles fan since 2004, and them beating defending champions Cameroon in the AFCON that year left a lasting impact on him. He supports Sporting Lagos at club level and loves to watch games live at the Onikan Stadium due to its buzzing atmosphere. His favorite football players are former Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie and former Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.

If Elvis could change one football rule, it would be to not be booked for celebrating with pitch side fans. He believes that football is a passionate game and celebrations should be encouraged to the fullest. When not analyzing the latest previews, Elvis indulges in activities such as swimming, reading, and karaoke.

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Edited by Zaid Khan