Four Premier League managers are included in the 10 highest-paid coaches in world football in 2026, while two of the leading earners currently work outside Europe.
The rankings are based on the latest available figures and compare each manager’s annual salary. Only eight of the 10 are managing in Europe.
Carlo Ancelotti is the highest-paid international manager, earning more than Thomas Tuchel, Lionel Scaloni and Mauricio Pochettino.
The Italian left Real Madrid, where his reported annual salary was £9.6million, and accepted a slightly lower wage to take charge of Brazil. His first World Cup with the national side ended in disappointment as Brazil lost to Norway in the last 16. It remains to be seen whether Ancelotti is the right manager to oversee a major rebuilding process.
Luciano Spalletti joined Juventus last summer after the club lost patience with Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor. The Serie A club are committing significant resources to a return to their former status, but they finished sixth and missed out on the Champions League.
Spalletti must now find a way to produce a marked improvement next season.
Andoni Iraola became the second-highest-paid manager in the Premier League when Liverpool appointed him in June. The Spaniard earned praise for his work at Bournemouth, although succeeding at Anfield represents a considerably greater challenge.
Luis Enrique has transformed the culture at Paris Saint-Germain and helped establish the club as the best in Europe after successive Champions League triumphs. The Spanish coach is likely to seek improved terms when his contract is renewed.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said earlier this year: “The first thing Luis Enrique told me is: ‘You’re going to see your team, the club, your team playing amazing football. You’re going to enjoy it.’”
He added: “That’s what he said … ‘I want to play offensive football’ and that’s what he told us and he’s done it. And he’s the best coach in the world.”
Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid comes with an annual salary of £10.3million. The report also expects any eventual severance payment to be around the same amount.
Chelsea secured the appointment of Xabi Alonso, despite his reputation having suffered during his time at Real Madrid. The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League, and Alonso has already spent £117million on Morgan Rogers, a fee that will require significant sales to help fund it.
Oliver Glasner had been linked with major vacancies across European football after guiding Crystal Palace to a trophy. Instead, he moved down the Premier League table to become Nottingham Forest’s fifth manager in 12 months.
His reported £13million salary, according to The Sun, helps explain the appointment. Forest’s ability to attract a coach of Glasner’s standing is notable, but the club cannot continue changing managers so frequently.
Mikel Arteta has extended his Arsenal contract to 2030, with the new agreement including a salary increase and a further £5million in bonuses.
“This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue,” Arteta said.
Diego Simeone, who has managed Atletico Madrid since 2011, remains one of the longest-serving and best-paid managers in football. He won La Liga and Copa del Rey with Atletico as a player in the nineties and has achieved even more as a coach.
Simeone continues to keep Atletico competitive against Barcelona and Real Madrid and is contracted until 2027.
Simone Inzaghi left Inter for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer. He earns £22.5million per year, equivalent to £454,000 a week, although Al-Hilal finished second in the most recent Saudi Pro League season.
