Top 10 longest-serving coaches in football currently

Published at :March 26, 2024 at 6:06 PM

Modified at :March 26, 2024 at 6:06 PM

All of these managers have cemented themselves as legends at their respective clubs

Jurgen Klopp shocked the football world after a sudden announcement stating his departure from Liverpool’s managerial role at the end of the season. Klopp’s nine-year tenure at Liverpool makes him one of the longest-serving coaches in football.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 longest-serving managers in football currently:

10. Imanol Alguacil – Real Sociedad (December 2018)

Real Sociedad have been a mid table team since the last decade. Sometimes Sociedad have even finished in the lower half of the table. Alguacil took over in 2018 and steadied the boat and gave them better results in some seasons as well.

From 2018 to 2023, Real Sociedad under Imanol have secured 3 Europa League qualifications and a Champions League qualification as well. This means that Real Sociedad finished in the top 6 thrice and in the top 4 once over a span of 5 seasons. As of the current season (2023-2024), Sociedad are sixth in the table with 12 wins and 7 losses.

Sociedad’s major achievement under Imanol was winning the Copa Del Rey in 2020. Sociedad beat rivals Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the finals. They progressed ahead after beating and ending Real Madrid’s 21-match streak in the quarter finals winning the thriller 4-3.

9. Thomas Frank – Brentford (October 2018)

Brentford have been a joy to watch in the Premier League over the last few seasons. Thomas Frank has been managing Brentford since 2018 and helped them achieve qualification to the Premier League.

At first, Brentford spent 3 seasons in the Championship under Thomas Frank and then qualified to the Premier League in the 2020-21 season. In three seasons in the Premier League, Brentford’s best finish has been ninth in the Premier League.

8. Jagoba Arrasate – CA Osasuna (July 2018)

Arrasate has been Osasuna’s manager since 2018 and has helped maintain the club’s position in the La Liga table. Usually, Osasuna finish midtable every season and Arrasate has helped maintain that form.

Osasuna’s main achievement under Jagoba Arrasate was reaching the finals of the Copa Del Rey in 2023. Unfortunately, Arrasate could not win a trophy since they lost to Real Madrid by a goal in the 2023 Copa Del Rey final.

7. Pascal Gastien – Clermont Foot (September 2017)

Clermont Foot are set to part ways with Pascal Gastien after 7 years. Pascal Gastien has had a horrible start to the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season with Clermont Foot winning only 4 matches and losing 18 matches.

Despite facing many hardships and time together, Clermont Foot have majorly always finished as a midtable team under Pascal Gastien. Their best finish under Gastien was an 8th-place finish in the 2022-23 season.

6. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City (July 2016)

The legendary Spaniard manager is arguably one of the best managers of all time. Pep Guardiola had an iconic reputation after winning numerous trophies and accolades with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Despite having a trophyless season in his first year at Manchester City, Pep won 11 major trophies after that.

From the 2017-18 season to 2023-24 season, Pep Guardiola has won 5 Premier League titles in six seasons, four Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and a UEFA Champions League title as well.

Pep Guardiola also won his first ever Premier League title with Manchester City in style with a record 100 points. As of now, Pep is showing no signs of stopping as Manchester City are once again set to compete for the PL title, UEFA Champions League title and the FA Cup.

5. Gian Pero Gasperini – Atalanta (June 2016)

Gasperini took Atalanta from fighting from relegation in Serie B to a strong Serie A side. Despite not winning a trophy, Atalanta has improved drastically under Gasperini.

The Italian club has reached two Coppa Italia finals under Gasperini. Moreover, the club started showing it’s presence in European competitions. Gasperini’s major achievement was helping Atalanta secure a UEFA Champions League spot for the first time in their history in the 2018-19 season.

Gasperini’s and Atalanta’s first ever UCL knockout match ended favourably towards them as they knocked out Valencia 8-4 on aggregate. Atalanta’s dream run came to an end after losing a tough battle against Paris Saint Germain in the quarter-finals.

4. Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool (October 2015)

Liverpool lost their identity and were struggling to even qualify for the Europa League at times. Then Jurgen Klopp came along and even then they struggled however with patience and consistency soon Liverpool rose back and became what they used to be. After 9 years as manager of Liverpool FC, Jurgen Klopp has won a Premier League title, a UEFA Champions League title, two Carabao Cups, a FIFA Club World Cup and an FA Cup.

Jürgen Klopp has announced his decision to step down as #LFC manager at the end of the season, having informed the club’s ownership of his wish to leave his position in the summer.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024

Jurgen Klopp have often had limited money to spend as well in comparison to the other big teams in the Premier League. However, Klopp’s major achievement was and will always be ending Liverpool’s 30-year drought in the 2019-20 Premier League season.

3. Christian Streich – Freiburg (December 2011)

Just like Gasperini, Streich also helped Freiburg reach and maintain a good record in the Bundesliga. The German club has had Christian Streich as their manager since 2011.

#Streich (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ZNbqW98X1V
— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) March 18, 2024

After failing numerous times in the Europa League, Streich helped Freiburg reach the knockouts of the UEL for the first time in their history in the 2022-23 season. In the same season, Freiburg reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal Cup for the first time in their history. After a long time with Freiburg, Christian Streich has announced that he will leave at the end of the season.

2. Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid (December 2011)

” El Cholo” has transformed Atletico Madrid into one of the most underrated and dangerous teams in Europe. Atletico Madrid are LaLiga contenders every season and also do well in European competitions.

Atletico Madrid have won two La Liga titles (2014, 2021) two Europa League titles ( 2012, 2018), two UEFA Super Cups, a Copa Del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup under Diego Simeone. Diego Simeone has also led Atletico Madrid to two UEFA Champions League finals as well. Unfortunately, they lost both finals to Real Madrid once in the 2013-14 season and the other in the 2015-16 season.

1. Frank Schmitt – FC Heidenheim (September 2007)

The longest serving manager in history of German football, Frank Schmitt has been the manager of FC Heidenheim since 2007. Frank has stayed loyal and helped Heidenheim through various hardships throughout the years.

Frank helped FC Heidenheim reach the 3. Bundesliga after winning the Regionalliga Süd title in 2009. He then stayed in this league for 5 seasons and finally achieved qualification to the 2. Bundesliga and was one tier below the Bundesliga. After nine years in 2. Bundesliga, Frank Schmitt’s FC Heidenheim finally achieved qualification to Bundesliga in the 2022-23 season after winning Bundesliga 2.

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