The 2025 List of the Top 5 Highest-Earning Football Managers
Diego Simeone—Atletico Madrid
Yearly Wage: £25.9m
For many years, Diego Simeone has stood as the highest-paid manager in the world by a significant margin. The passionate Argentine has led Atletico Madrid to greatness, famously overcoming both Barcelona and Real Madrid on two occasions to secure the La Liga title.
He also took Atletico Madrid to two Champions League finals, which they all lost to Real Madrid.
The 2022/23 season was quite a tough one for the club. They struggled with poor performances in domestic competitions and had a disappointing early exit from the Champions League group stage, which left many fans feeling frustrated and upset. However, what stood out was the unwavering support that Simeone received from his players, and gradually, the rest of the club began to back him as well. In November 2023, he decided to sign a four-year contract extension, even though it came with a significant pay cut. This move only seemed to strengthen his legendary status among fans who are hopeful of seeing him lead the team back to success.
Pep Guardiola—Manchester City
Yearly Wage: £20m
After an incredible treble-winning season in 2023, Pep Guardiola sits atop the list of highest-paid managers not just in England but worldwide. With four consecutive league titles under his belt, it’s easy to understand why his salary reflects his status in football. Guardiola’s journey with Manchester City began in 2016 and looks set to continue at least until 2026. That is, unless a string of poor performances leads to an early departure.
Mikel Arteta—Arsenal
Yearly Wage: £15.6m
Mikel Arteta, now the third-highest-paid manager globally, secured a new three-year deal with Arsenal recently. His time at the Emirates hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but he has successfully rejuvenated the squad, creating an exciting style of play that has placed the Gunners back into contention for the Premier League title. Arsenal came agonizingly close to breaking their title drought in the 2022/23 season and missed out on glory again on the final day in 2024. Arteta’s new contract includes a base salary of £13 million, which could rise to over £15 million if he brings home trophies. Given how close the Gunners have been to success lately, he’s in an excellent position to earn that bonus.
Stefano Pioli—Al Nassr
Yearly Wage: £15.5m
Saudi Arabia has become a lucrative hub for football managers, and after the likes of Jaissle and Blanc, Stefano Pioli is the latest to make headlines. The 2022/23 season was challenging for the club. They faced a lot of struggles, especially in domestic competitions, and fans were left feeling disappointed after an early exit from the Champions League group stage. It was tough to watch. However, one thing that stood out was the consistent support for Simeone from his players. Over time, the rest of the club started to show their support for him as well, which was encouraging amidst all the difficulties. However, one thing that stood out was the consistent support for Simeone from his players. Over time, the rest of the club started to show their support for him as well, which was encouraging amidst all the difficulties. In November 2023, he decided to sign a four-year contract extension, even though it came with a significant pay cut. This move only seemed to strengthen his legendary status among fans who are hopeful of seeing him lead the team back to success. His team is currently in third place in the league, and they’ll need to perform exceptionally well in the second half of the season to contend for the league title in the 2024/25 campaign.
David Moyes—Everton
Yearly Wage: £12.5m
This season in the Premier League has delivered one of the most captivating stories with David Moyes at Everton. After a rough start under Sean Dyche, the club decided to bring back Moyes to lead the team once again. The start to their partnership has been incredibly promising, with the Toffees currently climbing out of the relegation zone after winning three straight league games. Moyes’ considerable salary reflects the faith the club has in him as they work to avoid a precarious season. However, there’s still a long way to go.
