Solskjaer, Lampard and More: The 10 Greatest Players To Manage Their Former Club

The 10 Best Players Who Returned to Manage Their Former Club

Every football club has their legends who earned their legacy for their heroics on the pitch. However, some clubs have legends who returned to the club where they made their name to become the main man in the dugout.

They say 'never go back' but in some circumstances it ends up adding more to an already legendary legacy, but sometimes the managerial and coaching skills fail to match up to their playing excellence.

Here is our list of the 10 greatest players who returned to manage their former clubs.

Frank Lampard - Chelsea

Frank Lampard became the 'King of the Bridge' during his hugely successful spell in West London after moving from West Ham in 2001 at 22 years old.

During 13 years in West London, Lampard made over 600 appearances for Chelsea, becoming their all-time top scorer from midfield with 211 goals. During an era for Chelsea where players and managers frequently came and went, Lampard was a constant presence at Stamford Bridge.

In July 2019, after impressing as manager of Derby County, Lampard was appointed the manager of Chelsea to replace Italian Maurizio Sarri.

Lampard was appointed in difficult circumstances, with Chelsea placed under a transfer embargo due to breaking FFP regulations. With Lampard resulting in putting his faith in youth players such as Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount, the latter two Lampard had loaned to Derby during his spell at Pride Park.

Despite the tough limitations, Lampard managed to steer a young Chelsea team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, finishing 4th in the Premier League. Chelsea also reached the FA Cup final, however lost out to Arsenal.

That summer saw heavy investment as the transfer ban was lifted. However, a poor run of form in December which saw just two wins in eight matches saw Lampard sacked, with Thomas Tuchel replacing the Englishman and later finishing the campaign by winning the UEFA Champions League.

Zinedine Zidane - Real Madrid

Widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever player the game, midfielder Zinedine Zidane influenced an entire generation during a glittering playing career.

Zinedine Zidane hacía lo que le daba la gana en un campo de fútbol 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Qh51dj0Z8l

— Motivaciones Fútbol (@MotivacionesF) January 14, 2026

Zidane's greatness was first established in Italy with Juventus, where the Frenchman won the Ballon D'or in 1998, but it was his world record move to Madrid in 2001 which saw Zidane become one of the best ever, where his goal in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final has gone down as one of the greatest goals ever scored.

However, Zidane's already impressive legacy in Madrid was added with his return as manager in 2016 when replacing Rafa Benitez in the Bernabeu hot seat.

Zidane's spell as manager saw a golden era at Real, winning three consecutive Champions League titles before resigning, saying the club needed a change.

Despite that, just months later the Frenchman was back in the dugout due to poor results following his initial resignation, and Zidane's presence back in the dugout saw Madrid claim the La Liga title, before Zidane chose to leave once again after a trophyless season the following campaign. Cementing himself as one of the club's all-time greats both on and off the pitch.

Kenny Dalglish - Liverpool

After a strongly successful period at Celtic in the 1970's, Scottish forward Kenny Dalglish joined Liverpool, and in a 13-year stay on Merseyside Dalglish became one of the main figureheads in one of the most dominant era's seen in English football.

#OnThisDay in 1977, #LFC signed Kenny Dalglish for £440,000 The rest is history. pic.twitter.com/UXQPwmk7ec

— Billy Liddell (@Liddellpool) August 10, 2017

Dalglish won six top flight titles, three European Cups, one FA Cup and four League Cups, whilst scoring over 150 goals for the Reds, cementing himself as an all-time Anfield great.

Following the dismissal of Joe Fagan in 1985, Dalglish became player-manager at Liverpool, and his first season saw huge success as he guided Liverpool winning a League and FA Cup double.

Kenny Dalglish 1985/1986 - The GOAT Player Manager:

- Won the League & FA Cup, only the 3rd in time English Football, Liverpool’s first ever double.
- Won Manager of the Year
- Stared 24 games, won 22 & drew 2. 0 losses.
- 22 G/A, 7 goals & 15 assists
- 35 years old
- Only… pic.twitter.com/wbNruqwr9E

— GDon (@gdonlfc) July 20, 2025

Despite a trophyless 1986-87 season, Liverpool were champions once again the following campaign, however saw the title in 1888-89 stolen from them from Arsenal in the final minute of the final game of the season in one of the dramatic title finishes ever seen.

Dalgish resigned in 1991, but returned 20 years later following the sacking of Roy Hodgson, and Dalglish won the 2011-12 League Cup, Liverpool's first trophy in six years. Before being dismissed after a poor showing the following season to put to an end an incredible legacy at Anfield

Alan Shearer - Newcastle United

When Newcastle were desperate and heading towards relegation in 2008-2009 with eight games of the season to go, the club surprisingly turned to their greatest legend to try and save them.

Alan Shearer scored over 200 goals for his hometown club, earning a legacy as a true Geordie icon after a record move from Blackburn Rovers in 1996.

However, his appointment as manager towards the end of the 2008-09 season, despite being reacted with positivity from Newcastle supporters, many felt it was a strange decision due to Shearer's lack of coaching experience, and the fact he would only be in charge for the final eight games.

Unfortunately for Newcastle and Shearer, despite a 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough, Newcastle failed to win any of the other seven games, claiming just five points out of a possible twenty four and were relegated to the Championship as a result.

Pep Guardiola - FC Barcelona

Widely regarded in the modern day as one of the greatest managers of all time, due to his success in the dugout many could be forgiven for forgetting Pep Guardiola's immense legacy as a player at the Nou Camp.

The defensive midfielder was a important part of the 'dream team' under Johan Cruyff in the 1990's, and later Bobby Robson.

Guardiola instantly became a key player in the Barcelona first team following his promotion from the academy, and was a key part of the side that won the European Cup and La Liga title in 1992, when Guardiola was just 20 years-old.

Guardiola made over 300 appearances across nearly 17 years at Barcelona, before returning as manager,, replacing Frank Rijkaard at the end of the 2007-2008 season.

Despite surprisingly dismissing iconic senior players such as Ronaldinho and Deco, Guardiola's decision to put his faith in youth proved justified, as Barcelona won the treble of the UEFA Champions League, League and Copa Del Rey in one of the finest seasons in modern football history.

That season proved just the start of one of the best era's and team's of all time, as Barcelona - spearheaded by the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets, all players Guardiola promoted from the academy - won 14 trophies in just four years, making Guardiola the most successful Barcelona manager ever.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - Manchester United

The original 'super sub' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's legacy during his days as a striker at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson cannot be underestimated, mainly thanks to one particular kick of a ball.

The Norwegian's 1999 UEFA Champions League final winner will forever go down as one of the greatest moments in the history of Manchester United. Cementing Solskjaer's place in United folklore.

Solskjaer was a key figure for Alex Ferguson's United side despite often not being a regular starter, and scored over 100 goals for the Red Devils, becoming a fan favourite.

Due to that, Solskjaer was appointed as caretaker manager of Manchester United during the 2018-19 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, and a successful period resulted in him getting the job on a permanent basis.

Solskjaer's first full season in charge saw United finish third below city rivals Manchester City and Liverpool despite a poor start, and reach two domestic cup semi-finals, however failed to reach either final, with United ending the season trophyless.

The following campaign saw a second place finish, improving on last season's third place. However, United were knocked out the UEFA Champions League in the group stage, being demoted to the Europa League as a result. United reached the final, but were beaten on penalties by Villarreal.

Despite the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, United started the 2021-22 season in poor fashion, and a 4-1 defeat at Watford in late November sealed Solskjaer's fate as he was sacked after three years in charge at Old Trafford. Failing to deliver silverware during his spell.

However, there were rumours of the Norwegian returning for another spell in the dugout at Old Trafford until the end of the current season, before United opted for Michael Carrick instead.

Diego Simeone - Atletico Madrid

An arugment can be made for Diego Simeone's time as manager of Atletico Madrid being one of the most transformative era's for a single club in modern football history.

The Argentinian has been in charge in the red and white half of Madrid since 2011, and was appointed just days following a Copa Del Rey defeat to 3rd tier side Albacete.

Simeone's appointed almost instantly galvanised everyone at Atletico, and his first season ended with him guiding the club to winning the UEFA Europa League.

The following season, Simeone's first full campaign in charge of Atletico, saw their best finish in 17 years as they finished third, and won the Copa Del Rey by beating Real Madrid in the final, their first derby victory since 1999.

In the 2013-14 season, Simeone guided Atletico to their first league title since 1996, when he himself was playing at the club, Atletico becoming champions for the tenth time in their history, cementing Simeone as an Atletico icon both on and off the pitch.

Nearly fourteen years on from his appointment, Simeone remains in the Atletico dugout as one of the longest serving managers in Spanish football history. The Argentinian had made over 150 appearances for Atletico across two spells at the club, but his period on the sidelines had transformed his legacy in the east of Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti - AC Milan

Similar to Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti's long and successful legacy as a manager has perhaps resulted in his equally as impressive playing career being overshadowed.

The former Italian midfielder was a key player for both AS Roma and AC Milan, helping Roma win two Coppa Italia's and one league title, and one two league titles and two European Cups at the heart of a AC Milan side that has gone down as one of the greatest in Italian football history.

Farewell to Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, 1992.

He retired at the age of 33 due to injuries. pic.twitter.com/PqXV9ORtEY

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) April 28, 2024

In 2001, Ancelotti returned to San Siro as manager of Milan, and added to the trophies he won as a player at the club, winning the Serie A title in 2004, the Coppa Italia in 2003 and added two more UEFA Champions League titles to AC Milan's tally, making them the second most successful club in the history of the competition behind only Real Madrid.

Ancelotti was manager of Milan for eight seasons, managing over 400 games. Becoming the second longest serving manager in the club's history.

Marcelo Gallardo - River Plate

Venturing outside of Europe and to South America, Argentina and Buenos Aires. Marcelo Gallardo was an iconic player for River Plate during the 1990's and early 2000's, winning multiple league championships for River and was a key part of the side that won the 1996 Copa Libertadores, earning a strong legacy in the red and white part of the Argentinian capital across two spells at River.

Hernan Crespo, Marcelo Gallardo and Ariel Ortega. pic.twitter.com/TFkh6NKpKw

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) July 24, 2024

But when Gallardo returned to El Monumental as manager in 2014, it was the start of what would go on to be one of the most successful spells in the history of South American football.

With Gallardo on the touchline, River won fourteen trophies between 2014 to 2022, including two Copa Libertadores titles in 2015 and 2018. The 2018 success being particularly significant, as River beat arch rivals Boca Juniors in the final, the first time the two have ever met in the final of South America's most important competition.

After a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, Gallardo returned to River Plate following the sacking of Martin Demichelis, for a second spell as manager to try and add to an already legendary legacy at River Plate.

However, River were defeated in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores in his first season back, being beaten by Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro

Johan Cruyff - FC Barcelona

Back with Barcelona, and with arguably one of the most important and influential individuals in the history of the game.

Johan Cruyff already had an immense legacy at Ajax, being the heart of an Ajax side that won three consecutive European Cups as one of the greatest European teams ever seen. However, his move to Barcelona in 1973 would go on to change the history of Barcelona and football as a whole.

Ultra rare footage of football legend Johan Cruyff has been discovered!
He played for Barcelona during his career and, as a coach, was a great figure who introduced and shaped the concept of possession football in the game.pic.twitter.com/efyyd6iN7o

— M∆C∆UL∆Y (@MA_CAULAY) January 9, 2026

With Cruyff in the team, Barcelona won their first league title since 1960, but it was his return to Barcelona as manager which truly cemented his importance to the club.

The Dutchman became manager in 1988, bringing in players from the club's academy such as Pep Guardiola and signing stars such as Ronald Koeman and Hristo Stoichkov, putting together the side which would go on to be called the 'dream team'.

With Cruyff's dream team, Barcelona won four league titles in a row, and won the European Cup in 1992 at Wembley, playing the attractive style of 'total football' which was championed by Cruyff and has become the identity of Barcelona since due to Cruyff's influence.

"Many look at the body, at the individual qualities. I looked at the team. If a player makes the collective better, he belongs."

- Johan Cruyff pic.twitter.com/6vLLyWUTDU

— Keepitonthedeck (@Keepitonthedeck) January 8, 2026

Before Guardiola, Cruyff was Barcelona's most successful manager with eleven trophies. But his influence on the club goes far beyond the trophy cabinet. As he took over a side struggling and lost, and built them an identity to last generations.