There is a reason that Football Managers remains among the most popular games in existence. Having the opportunity to run a soccer club, even as a simulation, is can’t-miss for avid football fans, not to mention video game enthusiasts. Beyond that, though, FM has long been renowned by pro players, managers and even industry insiders as incredibly instructive. It gives an authentic glimpse into how real-life football managers must operate—namely, how much goes into figuring out different tactics and game approaches.
Yet, one undersold offshoot of the game, which continues to have tens of millions of players, is the glimpse it provides into the pressure on the shoulders of real-life managers. Make no mistake, there are harder, more important jobs. But we all know how the world of sports works. It is all-consuming for fans. The same goes for people who work within it.
Real-life football managers are no exception. Between being in the public eye, the stakes of their position, and the high-turnover rate, it is an exhaustive profession just as much as it is desirable. This is why it also tends to be a job with lucrative compensation in the most popular leagues.
Managers are not just compensated for their skill and experience. Sure, that is part of it. But their salaries are also a reflection of the high turnover, the long hours, fan interest, and of course, the amount of money tied to the sport.
The latter two factors have only increased the compensation of the best managers. Sports betting is more ubiquitous than ever. As this detailed BetNow review points out, the amount of money and fan interest legal gambling generates for sports leagues and individual clubs is at an all-time high. You better believe this impacts the bottom line on how much football managers make.
This naturally raises a question: How much do the highest-paid football managers actually earn? If you played FM, you know what goes into being a successful manager. Now let’s take a look at what being a successful manager can do for your wallet. We’ll also include each manager’s preferred formation, just in case that impacts how you play FM moving forward!
1. Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid
- Salary: $30.3 million (£25.3 million)
- Preferred formation: 4-4-2
Diego Simeone has been among the most recognizable football managers for years. Atletico Madrid is compensating him like it—and then some.
The 55-year-old is known for his ability to craft club identities regardless of the personnel at his disposal. He has helped turn Atletico Madrid into a sustainable powerhouse, and not surprisingly, has enjoyed a long tenure at the helm as a result. Simeone was appointed as the club’s manager back in December 2011, and he’s currently under contract through June 2027.
🚨 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: Diego Simeone is the highest paid manager in the world! 💰 pic.twitter.com/P6wH4zsXvS
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 30, 2025
This brings up an interesting issue: Will Atletico Madrid be able to keep him beyond 2027? They will more likely than not get first licks, but given Simeone’s track record, it would not shock anyone if a handful of clubs try to poach him.
2. Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal
- Salary: $29.6 million (£25.9 million)
- Preferred formation: 3-5-2 flat
Remember when it seemed like Simone Inzaghi walked away from the pitch for good? So much for that.
Inzaghi signed on with Al Hilal back in June 2025. His current contract pays him nearly $30 million per year, according to BBC Sport.
It is not clear whether the 49-year-old was actively thinking about a return to managing at the time. Most believe Al Hilal simply made an offer he couldn’t refuse. And that makes sense. Saudi Arabia is currently investing tons of money in expanding its pro-sport footprint, and for Inzaghi’s part, there is a certain cache to being the second-highest paid manager in the world.
This is not to say Al Hilal won’t be getting its money’s worth. Inzaghi presided over two Champions League Final appearances with Inter.
3. Pep Guardiola, Manchester City
- Salary: $24.2 million (£20.7 million)
- Preferred formation: 4-1-4-1
We were bound to get Pep Guardiola within the top three of this list. Manchester City is one of the most popular soccer clubs in the entire world—no worse than the third-most recognizable name. Their manager is going to be compensated accordingly.
To be honest, you could make the case that Guardiola should be higher up on this list. He has won six English titles at Manchester City, and his preferred formations and styles are so distinct, that many people credit him with revolutionizing how other managers and clubs approach team-building and execution.
If paychecks are a sign of respect, the terms of Guardiola’s deal prove how highly regarded he’s become. Not only is he making north of $24 million per year, but superstar striker Erling Haaland is the club’s only player earning more than him. Additionally, Manchester City needed to guarantee Guardiola’s entire contract, and they also appointed a number of people from his previous staff to ensure he’d make the jump to the club.
Like Simeone, Guardiola is signed through June 30 2027. So, unless Manchester City is once again willing to put a bunch of money on the table, he’s another star manager who could invite aggressive offers from other clubs.
