Ranking all 32 World Cup managers as players: Part I
Dreams will become realities over the next month in Qatar, when players take the field and represent their respective home countries at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
These realized aspirations will also apply to the 32 managers descending on the Middle East. For some, it’ll be their first time on the World Cup stage, but many have already experienced the once-every-four years trials and tribulations.
I set out with the impossible task of ranking all 32 World Cup managers based on their achievements as players. Part I below takes us from No. 32 to No. 11, saving the top-10 for Part II, which will be released Friday morning.
Without further ado, here are the rankings.
(Countries in parentheses signify the home nation, if different from the country the manager will lead at the 2022 World Cup.)
Coaches Only
T31. John Herdman, Canada (England)
T31. Felix Sanchez, Qatar (Spain)
Impossible to separate two coaches with zero professional minutes, so we start with a tie. Sanchez got into coaching through the Barcelona Youth Academy and now finds himself coaching 2022’s home nation. Herdman, meanwhile, started in Sunderland’s Academy and has been on a mission ever since to prove he can be a quality coach without a career as a player.
Short and Sweet
30. Carlos Queiroz, Iran (Portugal), Goalkeeper
29. Gustavo Alfaro, Ecuador (Argentina), Midfielder
Queiroz and Alfaro both elected to retire early and shift focus to their managerial careers, and now find themselves leading sides at the world’s biggest tournament. Queiroz had a brief stint playing professionally in Mozambique, while Alfaro spent time as a captain and recorded 126 appearances during five seasons with Argentina’s Atlético de Rafaela.
Solid Careers in Fringe Leagues
28. Jalel Kadri, Tunisia
27. Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark, Defender
26. Czeslaw Michniewicz, Poland, Goalkeeper
25. Walid Regragui, Morocco, Defender
24. Luis Fernando Suárez, Costa Rica (Colombia), Defender
23. Tite, Brazil, Midfielder
The next group of players aren’t glamorous, but they can hold their heads high with careers that include longevity, trophies or international experience. Kadri’s playing days are quite discreet, but the Tunisian manager lasted nine years in his country’s professional ecosystem. Hjulmand had an interesting path, leaving to play collegiate “soccer” in the United States before returning to Denmark. He had to retire at 26 due to knee injuries.
Michniewicz and Suárez both lifted important trophies. Michniewicz won the Polish League twice (1999, 2000) and the Polish Super Cup once (1999) with Amica Wronki. Suárez played 16 seasons in Colombia, winning the Copa Libertadores with Atletico Nacional in 1989.
Regragui bounced around in lower French divisions and registered 45 caps for the Moroccan National Team. Tite might be higher on this list if it weren’t for multiple knee injuries that forced him to retire at 27, but he still made 173 appearances in his home country.
Serious Longevity
22. Hervé Renard, Saudi Arabia (France), Defender
21. Diego Alonso, Uruguay, Forward
20. Tata Martino, Mexico (Argentina), Midfielder
19. Zlatko Dalic, Croatia, Midfielder
18. Fernando Santos, Portugal, Defender
This group all made at least 200 club appearances and spent time in a top flight. Renard, Martino and Santos bounced back-and-forth between the first and second divisions of their respective home countries, all with a knack for solid defense.
Dalic played in the uber-competitive Yugoslavian league during arguably its most influential time in the late 80s, but never received an international cap. Alonso, on the other hand, recorded seven caps for Uruguay and scored 114 goals in his club career, which included a successful stint with Atlético Madrid in Spain’s second division.
International Stalwarts
17. Hajime Moriyasu, Japan, Midfielder
16. Gregg Berhalter, United States, Defender
15. Graham Arnold, Australia, Forward
This trio combined to record 135 international caps, but played in just one World Cup. Berhalter has that honor, featuring as versatile defender on the United States’ 2002 team that reached the quarterfinals. The American made 19 appearances for Crystal Palace and spent one season in Germany’s highest division.
Moriyasu had a trial with Manchester United, but played his entire club career in Japan as a defensive midfielder who was brilliant going in for a tackle. Arnold is one of Australia’s most-accomplished players, scoring 161 goals in 451 appearances across Australia, Netherlands, Belgium and Japan. He also chipped in 19 goals with the Socceroos.
Just Missing the top-10
14. Lionel Scaloni, Argentina, Defender
13. Roberto Martinez, Belgium (Spain), Forward
12. Otto Addo, Ghana, Midfielder
11. Paolo Bento, South Korea (Portugal), Midfielder
Martinez is the only member of this group not to record a national team cap, but he made a living as a defensive-minded midfielder in the United Kingdom, featuring long stints with Wigan Athletic and Swansea City. Scaloni had seven caps for Argentina and was a fixture as an attacking fullback in the top flights of England, Spain and Italy. He started in West Ham’s 2006 FA Cup Final loss to Liverpool.
Addo and Bento were the most difficult choices to omit from the top-10. Bento’s 16-year career across Spain and his home country included an appearance in the 2002 World Cup. He helped Sporting CP win the double that same year.
Addo scored 35 goals in 290 club appearances in Germany, winning the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2002. He also represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup.
Check back with The Sports Gazette Friday for the top-10.
