There is no bigger thrill for an international manager than to claim World Cup glory and we’re celebrating some legendary leaders in this piece. We’ve selected 10 of the greatest World Cup coaches and ranked their achievements on the ultimate stage.
Vicente del Bosque
10. VICENTE DEL BOSQUE (Spain)
Not many managers would hold their nerve after suffering an opening loss at the World Cup but Del Bosque showed he is made of stern stuff when Spain recovered from a defeat against Switzerland to succeed in 2010 without conceding a single goal in the knockout rounds. Another title at Euro 2012 followed before La Roja suffered a fall from grace.
Cesar Luis Menotti
9. CESAR LUIS MENOTTI (Argentina)
Regularly seen chain-smoking in the dugout, Menotti was in charge of a dynamic Argentina team which lifted the trophy for the first time as hosts in 1978 . Not afraid to make firm decisions, he always encouraged his sides to entertain.
Enzo Bearzot
8. ENZO BEARZOT (Italy)
After making the last four in 1978, Bearzot guided Italy to a first World Cup triumph since 1938 when they capitalised on home advantage in 1982 . The Azzurri recovered from a poor start thanks to a rock-solid rearguard and the goals of Paolo Rossi, with a 3-2 win over Brazil the highlight.
Sir Alf Ramsey
7. SIR ALF RAMSEY (England)
The man who brought football home when England secured a dramatic triumph in 1966. Ramsey had looked a natural leader when nicknamed ‘The General’ during his playing days and drew on those qualities by quickly naming Bobby Moore as his captain.
Luiz Felipe Scolari
6. LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI (Brazil & Portugal)
Despite exuding great authority, ‘Big Phil’ allowed his players to express themselves on the pitch and fostered a strong team spirit. Brazil were not in the best of shape before Scolari inspired them to success in 2002 and he later led both the Selecao and Portugal to semi-finals.
Outright Odds
2026 World Cup Outright Odds
Country | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Spain | 4/1 | 15.4% |
France | 9/2 | 14.3% |
England | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Brazil | 8/1 | 13.3% |
Argentina | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Portugal | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Bar | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Spain are the 4/1 favourites for 2026 World Cup glory but France (9/2), England (6/1), Brazil and holders Argentina (8/1) will also be fancying their chances.
Carlos Bilardo
5. CARLOS BILARDO (Argentina)
A trained gynaecologist, ‘The Doctor’ mastered a 3-5-2 formation which helped get the best out of Diego Maradona as Argentina lifted the trophy in 1986 and then reached the final four years later. Maradona wasn’t the only fiery character in that excellent team, but Bilardo ’s man-management skills shone through.
Franz Beckenbauer
4. FRANZ BECKENBAUER (West Germany)
Der Kaiser ’s team was edged out 3-2 by Argentina in the final at Mexico 86 but gained revenge on home turf four years later by outbattling La Albiceleste 1-0 in a physical decider. As a former World Cup -winning captain in 1974, it was hardly a surprise to see Beckenbauer succeed in the dugout.
Mario Zagallo
3. MARIO ZAGALLO (Brazil)
Having lifted the trophy twice as a player, Zagallo earns an automatic place on this list for guiding arguably the greatest team to victory when Brazil brushed every opponent aside in 1970. He also took a much-changed squad to the semis four years later, was an assistant for the 1994 triumph and reached the final when back at the helm in 1998 .
Helmut Schon
2. HELMUT SCHON (West Germany)
When it comes to consistency, Schon stands out for a series of bold showings over four consecutive World Cups . After being runners-up in 1966 and third in 1970, West Germany upset a star-studded Netherlands in the 1974 final. His 1978 swansong was less successful, but Schon still holds the records for most World Cup matches coached at 25 and most games won with 16.
Vittorio Pozzo
1. VITTORIO POZZO (Italy)
The World Cup may have been in its infancy when Pozzo led Italy to back-to-back titles in 1934 and 1938 but it is hard to argue with the fact that he remains the only manager to claim two triumphs. ‘The Old Master’ was miles ahead of his time in terms of tactics and training routines and also took the Azzurri to Olympics gold in 1936.
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