The best football managers out of work

• There are some top managers who are free agents heading into the summer period
• Plenty of Champions League-winning coaches are currently without clubs
• How many will be snapped up this summer and who else will be without a job?

1. Zinedine Zidane

With Jurgen Klopp excluded from this list given he has hinted at retirement and clearly stated he will be taking at least a one-year sabbatical, Zidane is arguably the best coach on the market at present.

Surprisingly, the Frenchman is still unattached after his remarkable three-peat with Real Madrid in the Champions League, leaving the Bernabeu for good in 2021 after returning to the capital shortly after his initial departure in 2018.

Supposedly holding out for the France job, it will be interesting to see Zidane's next step in management.

2. Thomas Tuchel

Having narrowly secured the Bundesliga title at the end of the 2022/23 campaign with Bayern, Thomas Tuchel's second season in charge of the German giants was remarkably underwhelming.

Bayern were blitzed by Bayer Leverkusen in the league, dumped out by Joselu in the Champions League semi-finals and fell to an embarrassing defeat at the hands of third division Saarburcken in the DFB Pokal.

He will be a free agent this summer after it was announced he and Bayern will part ways, with plenty of clubs likely interested in him for his success pre-Bayern.

3. Roberto De Zerbi

Having been linked with every big job available this summer and seemingly ignored for all of them, Roberto De Zerbi will be a free agent in the coming weeks after it was announced he will leave Brighton at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Italian has earned plenty of plaudits during his time with the Seagulls for his intense and attacking style of play, but the risky nature of his football has sometimes been Brighton's downfall this term - something noted by Europe's elite, perhaps.

4. Jose Mourinho

Undoubtedly one of the greatest managers of the modern era and perhaps ever, Jose Mourinho's time at the absolute peak of football is surely over. He has coached Real Madrid, Chelsea, Porto, Man Utd, Inter and Spurs with varying degrees of success, most recently endearing himself to Roma supporters with a Europa Conference League title.

However, much like many of the other managers currently jobless, his negative style and combustible manner make him a risky appointment at the top level.

5. Hansi Flick

Hansi Flick's time with Germany was surprisingly poor. The former Bayern Munich coach, who had guided the club to a famous treble in 2019/20, struggled to take the country to new heights, failing to make an impact at two major tournaments - including a 2022 World Cup exit at the group stage.

However, Flick is still a manager who commands respect for what he achieved in Bavaria and may well be heading back to the Allianz Arena in the relatively near future.

6. Antonio Conte

Tottenham and Antonio Conte were never likely to be a good match and so it proved to be. It was hoped the Italian's hunger and winning mentality would rub off on a club without a trophy since 2008, but he quickly became frustrated in north London and left by mutual consent in March 2023.

However, successful spells with Inter and Chelsea mean Conte is still a manger appreciated by Europe's elite, even if his tactical philosophy doesn't inspire sides aiming to play swashbuckling football

7. Massimiliano Allegri

Despite a fiery end to his second reign as Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri has achieved great things with the Turin giants. However, his methods have not always been aesthetically pleasing, something that may go against him as he searches for new employment.

Allegri won five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias over a total of eight years with Juventus, while also winning a scudetto with Milan back in 2011.

8. Graham Potter

Despite Graham Potter succumbing to the curse of the Chelsea job, he remains extremely well respected for his work with Brighton. The Englishman's tactical nous and attention to detail transformed the Seagulls into one of the league's most fun, albeit inconsistent, sides.

Reports suggest he has had plenty of European offers since leaving Stamford Bridge, but he won't have to do too much to rebuild his reputation.

9. Maurizio Sarri

The grumbly, tobacco-chewing Italian was adored at Napoli but found life much harder at Chelsea and Juventus despite winning trophies with both clubs.

Maurizio Sarri was appointed Lazio boss in 2021 but resigned in March 2024 amid some questionabl

10-Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui finally graced the Premier League when Wolverhampton Wanderers were able to convince him to take their vacant managerial position in 2022.

The former Real Madrid and Spain manager impressed at Molineux but left his post after just a season in charge due to a lack of financial support in the transfer market. Recent links suggest a return to the top flight with West Ham could be on the cards.

11. Joachim Low

Joachim Low spent 15 years as head coach of the German national team, achieving incredible things with them. He famously won them the World Cup in 2014 and reached the Euro 2008 final six years earlier.

However, whether his managerial skills can transfer back to club football remains unknown for now. He's been out of work since 2021 and hasn't taken charge of a club team since 2004.

14. Rafa Benitez

Not too many active football managers have as much experience and pedigree as Rafa Benitez, who guided Liverpool to the Champions League in 2005. He has since managed the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Napoli.

After becoming a much-loved figure at Newcastle United, the Spaniard's career has taken a hit since his Tyneside departure. A brief stint in China was followed by unsuccessful spells at Everton and Celta Vigo, with Benitez's tactics no longer as successful as they once were.