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FOOTBALL

13 elite managers who never made the grade as players

Back in 1994 when football changed its name to soccer for the summer, Brazil were crowned World Cup winners for the first time in 24 years. While there were some objections in the South American country about the lack of flair shown in the USA, Carlos Alb
The Portuguese, who failed to set the world alight as a goalkeeper back when he plied his trade in Mozambique, made a good decision when he turned to coaching. As well as playing the role of Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man for four glory-filled seasons at
Diego Simeone's predecessor at Atlético Madrid never managed to win over the Rojiblanco faithful but 'El Profesor' is a well respected manager with plenty of experience. He won the Copa del Rey with Mallorca in 2003.
Winning the Copa América with Chile last year propelled Sampaoli into the limelight of world football. The eccentric coach is not as astute a contract negotiator as he is a tactician as he showed last month when he decided to quit as Chile manager days af
The man currently waiting in the wings to take over from Louis van Gaal at Manchester United needs no introduction. The Special One has won titles wherever he's gone, including the Champions League with Porto and La Liga with Real Madrid.
The Catalan tactician spent most of his career between Mallorca and Betis, helping Los Verdiblancos to Copa del Rey glory in 2005.
Rafa Benítez's time at Real Madrid was short-lived and ill-fated, however, his managerial career is littered with triumphs and while Los Blancos may not appreciate him, Valencia and Liverpool supporters still hold him in very high regard.
The Uruguayan has tasted success across his home continent, having lifted titles in Paraguay, Peru and Chile.
When injury cut the Italian’s playing career short he became a coach and came to prominence during his time in charge of Udinese, guiding the side to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 1998. Before going on to manage the likes of Inter Milan, Lazio and Ju
Villas-Boas was dubbed the next Mourinho when he won a treble with Porto during his first season in charge of the first team.
Sacchi's Milan team is still considered one of the greatest of all time. The studious Italian later when on to become Real Madrid's sporting director.
The Israeli engima was roundly ridiculed by the British press but he still managed to guide Chelsea to second place in the Premier League and the Champions League final in 2008.
The 57-year-old was appointed the US national team coach after the 2006 World Cup and on his way to stirring them to the 2010 edition of the tournament, recorded a well deserved win over a much favoured Spanish side at the 2009 Confederations Cup.
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Carlos Alberto Parreira

Back in 1994 when football changed its name to soccer for the summer, Brazil were crowned World Cup winners for the first time in 24 years. While there were some objections in the South American country about the lack of flair shown in the USA, Carlos Alb

Carlos Queiroz

The Portuguese, who failed to set the world alight as a goalkeeper back when he plied his trade in Mozambique, made a good decision when he turned to coaching. As well as playing the role of Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man for four glory-filled seasons at

Gregorio Manzano

Diego Simeone's predecessor at Atlético Madrid never managed to win over the Rojiblanco faithful but 'El Profesor' is a well respected manager with plenty of experience. He won the Copa del Rey with Mallorca in 2003.

Jorge Sampaoli

Winning the Copa América with Chile last year propelled Sampaoli into the limelight of world football. The eccentric coach is not as astute a contract negotiator as he is a tactician as he showed last month when he decided to quit as Chile manager days af

José Mourinho

The man currently waiting in the wings to take over from Louis van Gaal at Manchester United needs no introduction. The Special One has won titles wherever he's gone, including the Champions League with Porto and La Liga with Real Madrid.

Lorenzo Serra Ferrer

The Catalan tactician spent most of his career between Mallorca and Betis, helping Los Verdiblancos to Copa del Rey glory in 2005.

Rafa Benítez

Rafa Benítez's time at Real Madrid was short-lived and ill-fated, however, his managerial career is littered with triumphs and while Los Blancos may not appreciate him, Valencia and Liverpool supporters still hold him in very high regard.

Sergio Markarián

The Uruguayan has tasted success across his home continent, having lifted titles in Paraguay, Peru and Chile.

Alberto Zaccheroni

When injury cut the Italian’s playing career short he became a coach and came to prominence during his time in charge of Udinese, guiding the side to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 1998. Before going on to manage the likes of Inter Milan, Lazio and Ju

Andre Villas-Boas

Villas-Boas was dubbed the next Mourinho when he won a treble with Porto during his first season in charge of the first team.

Arrigo Sacchi

Sacchi's Milan team is still considered one of the greatest of all time. The studious Italian later when on to become Real Madrid's sporting director.

Avram Grant

The Israeli engima was roundly ridiculed by the British press but he still managed to guide Chelsea to second place in the Premier League and the Champions League final in 2008.

Bob Bradley

The 57-year-old was appointed the US national team coach after the 2006 World Cup and on his way to stirring them to the 2010 edition of the tournament, recorded a well deserved win over a much favoured Spanish side at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

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