20 interesting manager appointments you may have missed this summer
Christophe Galtier has replaced Mauricio Pochettino at PSG, Wayne Rooney surprisingly returned to D.C. United as head coach, and Ernesto Valverde took charge of Athletic Bilbao for a third time. All high-profile moves in the last few weeks which have captured the imagination in one way or another.
But what about those summer appointments that have either gone under the radar, you’ve missed completely, or maybe the managerial memory banks are simply in need of a refresh?
Don’t worry, here at TheSackRace we’ve got you covered with a jam-packed and variety-filled selection of 20 interesting manager appointments that have taken place since the 2021/22 season came to a close (predominantly in Europe), featuring a collection of iconic former players turning their focus to management.
This is not a definitive and exhaustive list of every single appointment that’s occurred outside of England, instead it’s a selection of various movements across the globe. Meanwhile, you can check out all of the summer EFL appointments in the three links below…
Gennaro Gattuso (Valencia)
The Italian hot-head spent a year out of management following that bizarre 23 day stint at Fiorentina and subsequent severe fan backlash when he was linked to Spurs just after. The former Napoli and AC Milan boss has now made the trip to Spain, replacing Jose Bordalas at Valencia. His appointment caused quite a stir due to his controversial past comments about women and homosexuality, so he'll need to make a big impact early on.
Andrea Pirlo (Fatih Karagümrük)
Gattuso’s former Italy and Milan teammate, Andrea Pirlo, also returned to the touchline this summer. It was expected that the former Juventus manager - who won two trophies in Turin - would stay in his homeland, however he went left-field and opted for Turkish Süper Lig side Fatih Karagümrük. An interesting move this one.
Jorge Jesus (Fenerbahçe)
Speaking of appointments in Turkey, Tim Sherwood’s old foe Jorge Jesus is now at the helm of Fenerbahçe. The veteran Portuguese coach, now 67, is a former Copa Libertadores winner (Flamengo) and three-time Primeira Liga victor (Benfica), who once infamously crossed the Benfica-Sporting divide.
Carlos Tevez (Rosario Central)
In news that appeared to come out of nowhere, Carlos Tevez has taken his first footsteps into management in June after he penned a deal with Argentinian club Rosario Central, just weeks after announcing his retirement. Tevez played under the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Martinez, Antonio Conte and Marcelo Bielsa, so you'd think he'd have some useful information up his sleeve. It's going to be fascinating to see what he can do from the touchline.
Dwight Yorke (Macarthur FC)
This is one we certainly weren't expecting! 13 years after he hung up his boots, Dwight Yorke has decided to give management a crack. It's destination Down Under for the former Champions League winner who has become the new manager of A-League Men side Macarthur FC. The 50-year-old previously won the Australian title (2006) when he played for Sydney FC.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV)
Yorke's ex-Man Utd teammate, Ruud van Nistelrooy, bagged himself a huge first senior job with Dutch side PSV. The former Man Utd striker, who spent the previous season in charge of the club’s reserve side, has been trusted to step up into the top job where he’s succeeded Roger Schmidt, who left for Benfica. With Ajax also making an enforced change - more on that in a mo - it promises to be an intriguing battle at the top of the Eredivisie.
Alfred Schreuder (Ajax)
We all know who became Man Utd manager over the summer, but who has the tough task of succeeding Erik ten Hag at Ajax? Step forward Alfred Schreuder. He’s not exactly a newbie in these parts having previously worked as Ten Hag’s assistant for 18 months. He’s also assisted Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, while in terms of outright management he’s had spells at FC Twente, Hoffenheim and Club Brugge; where he won the Belgian League last season.
Dirk Kuyt (ADO Den Haag)
Dirk Kuyt is another fresh face in management after he took charge of Alan Pardew’s old side ADO Den Haag, who play in the Dutch second division. The former Liverpool striker previously coached at Feyenoord's academy and enjoyed a warm welcome from ADO’s General manager Edwin Reintjies: “Dirk is a personality and a phenomenon in the football world - With his attitude and reputation he will inspire and motivate our boys and we think he is the right man to bring us back to the Eredivisie”.
Lee Johnson (Hibernian)
Up in Scotland we saw Hibernian appoint Lee Johnson on a four-year deal. Managing since he was 31, the Hibs job is Johnson’s fifth following spells at Oldham, Barnsley, Bristol City, and most recently Sunderland who sacked him after a 6-0 defeat back in January, although they were up in 3rd (League One) at the time.
Owen Coyle (Queen’s Park)
Staying north of the border, Owen Coyle has returned to work as the new head coach of Queen’s Park, who have won back-to-back promotions up to the Championship. The former Burnley and Bolton boss, 55, has spent the last couple of years managing in the Indian Super League, where he propelled Jamshedpur to their first ever winners' shield.
Nuno Santo (Al Ittihad)
After contrasting spells at Wolves (good) and Spurs (bad), Nuno Santo decided enough was enough, leaving English soil for…Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad. We wonder if money had anything to do with it…
Edin Terzic (Borussia Dortmund)
Borussia Dortmund lost faith with Marco Rose after a single season and decided to appoint their old interim boss Edin Terzic, who had previously spent the second-half of the 2020/21 in charge, winning the German cup. The 39-year-old’s task will be challenging the dominant 10-straight title champs Bayern - now without a certain Robert Lewandowski - and improving Dortmund’s cup performances after last season’s disappointments.
Niko Kovac (Wolfsburg)
Fellow Bundesliga side Wolfsburg also changed face in the summer, recruiting former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac. The Croatian won the double with Der FCB, previously took Frankfurt to cup glory, and impressed during an 18-month spell at Monaco; he transformed them into title challengers, only to be rewarded with a baffling sacking last Christmas.
Daniel Farke (Borussia Monchengladbach)
The former Norwich City manager, who won two Championship titles, was appointed at Russian side Krasnodar in January only to leave less than two months later without taking charge of a game. The German’s decision followed Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and he’s since bagged a plum job in his homeland at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The club experienced a difficult 2021/22 season under Adi Hütter but the year before reached the last-16 of the Champions League.
Carlos Carvalhal (Al Wahda FC)
Back in May there appeared to be a tug-of-war between Championship clubs for the services of ex-Sheff Wed and Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal, who had become available after a successful spell at Braga. Instead, the Portuguese coach decided to jet over to the UAE Pro League where he signed a one-year deal with Al Wahda FC.
Slavisa Jokanovic (Dynamo Moscow)
Another former Championship boss, Slavisa Jokanovic, has opened up a new managerial chapter at Russian side Dynamo Moscow. Appointed at Sheff Utd last summer, the Serb lasted all of 22 games at Bramall Lane. Jokanovic previously led both Watford and Fulham, and won back-to-back league and cup doubles with Partizan Belgrade.
Diego Martinez (Espanyol)
A favourite here at TheSackRace, we were hoping that the brilliant Diego Martinez would be tempted over to England’s shores after a year out of work. He previously led Granada into La Liga followed by impressive 7th and 9th place finishes plus the Europa League quarter finals. Without him, Granada were relegated. New side Espanyol will now hope he can sprinkle his managerial magic in Catalonia.
Paulo Fonseca (Lille)
For a period Paulo Fonseca was linked with a move to almost half of the Premier League, most prominently Spurs and Newcastle. Now, a full year since leaving Roma, the Portuguese is finally back in management, but not in England, instead he’s taken over at 2020/21 French champions Lille.
Lucien Favre (Nice)
Ligue 1 is also now home to Lucien Favre (again) who has returned to Nice for a second spell, replacing Christophe Galtier. Manager for two seasons between 2016 and 2018, the Swiss boss led the club to their highest league finish since 1976 (3rd) and delivered Champions League football. Without question a popular appointment.
Ronny Deila (Standard Liege)
At one point it looked like Ronny Deila was on the cusp of becoming the new Blackburn manager. Alas, it was not to be, with the former Celtic boss instead switching New York City FC for Belgian outfit Standard Liege after he was “charmed by their proposal”. The Norwegian, famed for his superb celebrations (see below) won the MLS Cup during his time in the Big Apple.
