Football management has a reputation for being one of the most unforgiving careers in sport, with coaches living under constant scrutiny of club owners, fans, and the media. Here, we take a closer look at some of the best football managers out of work in March 2026.
- 1 The Importance of Knowing Managers Out of Work in Football
- 2 Top Football Managers Out of Work
- 3 Other Managers Out of Work… Working
- 4 Most Popular Betting Markets for Football Managers
- 5 Best Bookmakers Offering Odds for Football Managers
- 6 Latest News on Football Managers Out of Work
- 7 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 8 Football Managers Out of Work FAQs
The Importance of Knowing Managers Out of Work in Football
In the world of football, some of the most popular football betting markets concern outgoing and incoming managers. With that in mind, it is useful to stay on top of the odds, especially if you are looking to cash in on managerial changes.
Whether a club is on the lookout for a new name or a football manager is out of work, fans often seek the best online bookies to find the best available odds.
Next manager markets are particularly volatile, with names and odds constantly changing. The same goes for the next manager to be sacked odds, which are primarily determined by form, results, and off-the-field matters throughout the course of a season.
Top Football Managers Out of Work
We are only a few months into the new 2025/26 season, but the managerial landscape has already experienced major changes. Here is a deep dive into the long list of top football managers out of work.
10. Edin Terzic – Last Club: Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga)
Edin Terzic had his first big breakthrough in December 2020 when he took charge on an interim basis and led Dortmund to a DFB Pokal triumph.
He took the club to the Champions League final in 2024 before deciding to resign. He is yet to return to action, turning down the likes of Everton and AS Monaco in recent times.
9. Ruben Amorim – Last Club: Manchester United (Premier League)
Ruben Amorim arrived at Manchester United hoping to change the culture and return the club to their glory days. Instead, the Portuguese boss endured frustration with his superiors and was sacked after just 14 months at Old Trafford.
His record with the Red Devils was abysmal, having won just 24 of 63 matches, and enduring 21 defeats – a record that culminated his tenure with a 38% winning rate.
8. Xabi Alonso – Last Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
Seen as the perfect candidate to lead Real Madrid into the next era, Xabi Alonso arrived at Santiago Bernabeu with huge expectations and tons of excitement.
Despite leading his men to victory in 24 of his 34 matches and boasting a 70% winning rate, a breakdown in trust and communication between the Spaniard and his players ultimately led to his demise. Alonso left the club early in January 2026, following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Super Cup final.
7. Joachim Low – Last Job: Germany National Team
Joachim Low is best known for his time as the head coach of the German national team and his sensational run to victory at the 2014 World Cup.
The 65-year-old has been out of work since 2021 and has been linked with every job under the sun, including Manchester United.
6. Steven Gerrard – Last Club: Al-Ettifaq (Saudi Pro League)
Steven Gerrard is the first English football manager out of work on our list. He made a bright start to his managerial career, leading Rangers to a league title in 2021 without losing a single Scottish Premiership fixture.
Since then, the former England international has struggled in management, enduring underwhelming spells at both Aston Villa and, most recently, Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
5. Xavi Hernandez – Last Club: FC Barcelona (La Liga)
It has been well over 500 days since Xavi Hernandez was last seen in the dugout. The former Barcelona midfielder managed the Catalan giants for two and a half years and claimed two trophies during that spell.
The Spaniard has recently ruled himself out of a job in Saudi Arabia and is instead setting his sights on a long-term project in Europe.
4. Sam Allardyce – Last Club: Leeds United (Premier League)
When it comes to experience, Sam Allardyce has an abundance of it following his 33-year career in management.
The 71-year-old last worked at Leeds United towards the end of the 2022/23 season. Considering his age, Allardyce is unlikely to take up another managerial role, although he has refused to rule out a return during a recent interview with talkSPORT.
3. Will Still – Last Club: Southampton (Premier League)
Will Still is one of the newest additions to the list of unemployed football managers, following his sacking at Southampton.
The 33-year-old, who made his name in the French Ligue 1, picked up four measly wins from 16 matches at St Mary’s and was inevitably relieved of his duties. Considering how competitive this season has been, Still will not be the only Championship football manager out of work.
2. Gareth Southgate – Last Job: England National Team
Former England boss Gareth Southgate has been out of work for almost 500 days, with the 55-year-old in no rush to jump back into the fire despite being linked with a host of jobs.
Southgate was one of the most loved and hated managers that England ever had, taking the Three Lions to unprecedented heights but ultimately failing to land that long-awaited international success.
The 2024 European Championship runner-up is arguably the most high-profile English football manager out of work.
1. Zinedine Zidane – Last Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
When it comes to management, Zinedine Zidane is right up there with the best in the world
Despite taking on just 320 matches during his career in the dugout, Zidane has managed to win 11 major trophies, including three successive Champions League crowns.
As a top football manager out of work, Zidane is looking for the right opportunity before getting back into management.
Other Managers Out of Work… Working
Not all out of work football managers stick to the same career path once they leave the dugout. There have been many examples of football managers moving to other positions at clubs and using their expertise in various roles. Here are a three notable examples.
1. Jurgen Klopp – Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull
Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund icon Jurgen Klopp has taken an indefinite leave from the dugout and is currently working as the Global Head of Soccer for Red Bull.
While not involved in day-to-day operations, Klopp oversees Red Bull’s international network of football clubs, including New York Red Bulls, RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig.
2. Roger Schmidt – J League Global Football Advisor
Roger Schmidt enjoyed a relatively successful career in football management, winning seven trophies during his 20-year spell in the dugout.
The German coached teams such as Red Bull Salzburg, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven and Benfica.
Since October 2025, Schmidt has been working as a global football advisor for the J League, trying to strengthen the development of domestic Japanese football.
3. Erik ten Hag – FC Twente Technical Director
Erik ten Hag is taking an indefinite break from the dugout after joining Eredivisie side FC Twente as their Technical Director.
Ten Hag enjoyed a mixed spell in management, taking Ajax to unprecedented heights before struggling to make an impact at Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen.
Most Popular Betting Markets for Football Managers
Some of the best football betting sites in the UK would argue that managerial betting markets are among some of the most popular for punters. Whether betting on a sacking or a hiring, there is certainly no shortage of options, with bookmakers rapidly reacting to the latest news.
This one is a classic. Bookmakers will often follow certain competitions and offer punters the opportunity to bet on which manager they think will be sacked first.
Odds are often used by the media to build narratives around certain managers, and vice versa.
This is another classic market in this sphere. When a club parts ways with a manager, bookmakers are often quick to react by creating a market full of potential contenders.
The list of available football managers will often change, depending on the situation, media reports, and latest updates.
Certain bookmakers will open a market, allowing punters to bet on who they think will win the ‘Manager of the Month’ award in a particular competition.
Industry-leading bookmakers such as bet365 and talkSPORT BET often open this market for the Premier League.
Best Bookmakers Offering Odds for Football Managers
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Founded:
1946
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
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Payment methods(5):
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get £30 in Free Bets for selected markets, 7 days expiry. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
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Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
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Mobile-App:
Android
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Founded:
2022
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(5):
Get up to £40 in Football Free Bets Mobile Exclusive 18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile device or app, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply | Please gamble responsibly GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
2000
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(11):
Bet £10 & Get £30 18+. Registration Required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Funded account or place a bet to qualify. Geo location and live streaming rules apply. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £100,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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bet365 step ahead of the rest
Sebastian Sternik: Each bookmaker offers their own unique selling point when it comes to managerial markets, though bet365 stand tall above the rest. With their wide range of selections and competitive odds, they are the industry leader in this area. Punters are further enticed by special offers, which bet365 use in order to make their product stand out.
Latest News on Football Managers Out of Work
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ThePuntersPage Final Say
Manager betting markets make up one of the most fun and informative aspects of football betting. Due to their reactive nature and volatile odds, there is always plenty to ponder and consider when having a punt in this area. On top of all that, these markets often move narratives in sports media and drive daily fan opinions, making them a powerful force in the industry.
Football Managers Out of Work FAQs
There are a host of football managers out of work at this moment. Some (such as Will Still) are new to the unemployment line, while others (like Zinedine Zidane) have been out of the game for a significant period. The biggest names without employment are mentioned in this article.
The 2024/25 Premier League season saw a few managers being sacked. Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag received his marching orders in October of that season.
Steve Cooper was sacked by Leicester City the following month, while Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin were also fired from their clubs in December.
West Ham pulled the plug on Julen Lopetegui following the festive period, while Everton’s Sean Dyche joined him one day later. Southampton’s Ivan Juric was the last manager to get the sack that season.
Managers who work with some of the top clubs in the Premier League are always less likely to be out of work.
Pep Guardiola, for instance, has one of the safest positions in the Premier League, courtesy of his tremendous winning record in the competition.
There are several lower league football managers out of work. The likes of Michael Carrick, Liam Manning and even Wayne Rooney are all away from the dugout and looking for opportunities.
One of the most active managerial betting markets in the business concerns the main post at Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim continues to face scrutiny with every poor result, leaving bookmakers with no option but to keep close tabs on his potential replacement.
Current Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is the market leader at around the 2/1 mark. The likes of Laurent Blanc, Gareth Southgate and Xavi Hernandez are all close behind.