From playing on football’s biggest stage to now leading teams as managers, these World Cup coaches have turned their on-field experience into tactical leadership at the highest level.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin in the coming weeks with the opening match set to feature Mexico, launching another chapter in football’s greatest tournament.
For players, it is a privilege to represent their countries and compete for glory. For managers, the responsibility is different — to apply tactics, lead teams, and ultimately guide their nations toward lifting the trophy.
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Uncovered UG brings you some of the managers who were once players on the world stage. Stay with us to discover those you may not have known.
- Mauricio Pochettino (2002) – Argentina / now managing the United States
2. Fabio Cannavaro (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) – Italy / now managing Uzbekistan
3. Vincenzo Montella (2002) – Italy / now managing Turkey
4. Hugo Broos (1986) – Belgium / now managing South Africa
5. Pape Thiaw (2002) – Senegal / now managing Senegal
6. Stale Solbakken (1998) – Norway / now managing Norway
7. Ronald Koeman (1990, 1994) – Netherlands / now managing the Netherlands
8. Hong Myung-bo (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002) – South Korea / now managing South Korea
9. Javier Aguirre (1986) – Mexico / now managing Mexico
10. Emerse Fae (2006) – Ivory Coast / now managing Ivory Coast
11.Didier Deschamps (1998) – France / now managing France
12. Carlo Ancelotti (1986, 1990) – Italy / now managing Brazil
13. Nestor Lorenzo (1990) – Argentina / now managing Colombia
14. Hossam Hassan (1990) – Egypt / now managing Egypt
15. Lionel Scaloni (2006) – Argentina / now managing Argentina
16. Tony Popovic (2006) – Australia / now managing Australia
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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