Football is constantly changing, with proven global winners making way for a fresh batch of talent in a continuous cycle.
That trend doesn’t only apply to players, though, as football has produced more and more tactically astute managers that hail from around the world.
Vincent Kompany (Burnley)
The seminal genius of Pep Guardiola has rubbed off on those he worked with. Notable examples include Barca boss Xavi and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, both of whom have led their teams toward the summit of their respective leagues. Arguably the most impressive of all, though, is Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, who Guardiola managed during his time at Manchester City.
Having spent three seasons in charge of RSC Anderlecht, Kompany took the reins at Burnley at the start of the 2022-23 campaign. The Clarets had recently parted ways with mainstay Sean Dyche following relegation from the Premier League and having generally been associated with a pragmatic and uninspiring brand of football. Despite much of the season still to play, Kompany has changed all that. The Belgian has instilled an exciting playing style and led Burnley to the top of the Championship, with fbref.com showing them to have recorded just two defeats in their opening 31 league matches.
Vincent Kompany has already won three Manager of the Month Awards at Burnley ???
He learnt from the best ? pic.twitter.com/i8Wa7nJV9a
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 10, 2023
Ruben Amorim (Sporting)
Despite playing almost his entire playing career at Benfica, Ruben Amorim has gained prominence as manager of rivals Sporting CP. In his first season with the club, Amorim won the Taca da Liga before crowning Sporting with their first league title in 19 years, guiding a young and vibrant crop of players to glory. The 38-year-old went on to win his third Taca da Liga in a row in 2021-22, although he hasn’t had much luck in Europe’s elite tournament.
The Champions League is the most prestigious competition in club football, with its popularity so high that it features on numerous platforms, including video games, online slots, and bonusfinder.co.uk helps users search through relevant information to find the best options, including sportsbook bonuses. Despite his astute tactical skill, Amorim’s Sporting finished third in Group D in 2022-23, thus relegated to the Europa League despite having spent three matchdays at the top. The Portuguese tactician will undoubtedly be hoping to bounce back next campaign.
Official, completed. Rúben Amorim has signed a new contract with Sporting, it will be valid until June 2026. ??? #transfers
Amorim was approached by many clubs in Premier League and not only; but he decided to stay. pic.twitter.com/c4GZGLlO1z
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2022
Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
Although he is slightly older than the other two entries on this list, Roberto De Zerbi can count himself firmly in the category of upcoming generational talent. Astute followers of the tactical game will know the Brescia-born manager from his time managing Shakhtar Donetsk, with De Zerbi employing a dynamic and passing-based style of football that had put his side top before the league was prematurely terminated in late April 2022.
Shakhtar’s performances were enough to qualify them for the Champions League the following season, though, earning De Zerbi the opportunity to take over from Graham Potter at Brighton when he left to become Chelsea boss. Many had thought that the Seagulls’ position in the upper rafters of the Premier League was due to the English tactician, but De Zerbi has only improved their standing. Brighton remains unbeaten in their seven matches since the turn of the year, according to whoscored.com, meaning they now have a real shot at European qualification for next season.
Brighton and Hove Albion have won back-to-back games against Liverpool for the first time in the club’s history.
Roberto De Zerbi is undefeated against Jürgen Klopp. ? pic.twitter.com/Pn3EEJ2dke
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 29, 2023
With a host of proven world-beaters across the globe, these three entries are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the next crop of managerial talent.
Fans can be sure that thanks to globalisation and the increased exposure to viewers around the world, the game’s next tactical genius is just around the corner.
