The 25 biggest-spending managers in transfer window history

August 28, 2023 at 8:50 PM by Thomas

Josep Guardiola dominates the ranking of the most expensive coaches on the transfer market.

The world of football has always been synonymous with big deals and record spending during transfer periods. While players often make headlines for their exorbitant transfer fees, it’s also worth taking a look at from the coaching side. A recent ranking of the biggest spenders in the transfer market highlighted some well-known names in the world of football.

Pep Guardiola flirts with the 2 billion euros in reinforcements on the transfer window

Unsurprisingly, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is in first place in this ranking. With a total spend of almost €2 billion during his career, Guardiola is known for his drive to build competitive teams by signing top players. His latest masterstroke was the recruitment of Jérémy Doku from Stade Rennais for 60 million euros, thus strengthening the squad of the European champions.

Mourinho and Ancelotti accompany Guardiola on the transfer spending podium

Follows in second position, José Mourinho, the coach of AS Roma. Despite currently going through a relatively quiet transfer window, Mourinho has spent a total of €1.85 billion during his career, having managed the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham. On the third step of the podium is Carlo Ancelotti. With 25 titles to his name, Ancelotti is a regular on the prestigious benches. This season, he failed to lure Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid but he still spent €103m on signing Jude Bellingham, beating his previous record signing with Gareth Bale.

Arsène Wenger the only Frenchman among the 25 technicians on the list

There is only one French technician in the top 25 who is no longer active today, in the person of Arsène Wenger, for the (long) duration of his mandate on the bench of the Gunners of Arsenal. The Alsatian and twelfth, close to a billion euros in transfer compensation paid to strengthen it.

The 25 biggest-spending managers in transfer window history

25. Mikel Arteta = 688 million euros
24. Eddie Howe = 732 millions d’euros
23. Nuno Espírito Santo = 737 million euros
22. Maurizio Sarri = 742 million euros
21. Luciano Spalletti = 746 million euros
20. Brendan Rodgers = 754 millions d’euros
19. Gian Piero Gasperini = 762 million euros
18. Sir Alex Ferguson = 790 millions d’euros
17. Roberto Mancini = 817 millions d’euros
16. Rafael Benítez = 894 million euros
15. Claudio Ranieri = 903 millions d’euros
14. Ernesto Valverde = 907 millions d’euros
13. Jorge Jesus = 920 million euros
12. Arsene Wenger = 973 million euros
11. Unai Emery = 1 030 millions d’euros
10. Mauricio Pochettino = 1 070 millions d’euros
9. Jurgen Klopp = 1,090 million euros
8. Antonio Conte = 1 170 million euros
7. Thomas Tuchel = 1,190 million euros
6. Manuel Pellegrini = 1 190 million euros
5. Diego Simeone = 1 210 millions d’euros
4. Massimiliano Allegri = 1 400 millions d’euros
3. Carlo Ancelotti = 1 690 millions d’euros
2. José Mourinho = 1.850 million euros
1. Pep Guardiola = 1.910 million euros