The 10 Most Unbearable Managers in World Football

The 10 Most Unbearable Managers in World Football

Unbearable does not always mean unsuccessful.

Often, it is the opposite.

When a manager dominates football, they become beloved by their fanbase whilst becoming universally hated by opposition fans.

Ask any Englishman who grew up in the 90s, not supporting Manchester United. Their hatred and loathing for the great Sir Alex Ferguson is often immeasurable.

For fans of rival clubs to the Red Devils, they often cite Ferguson for ‘ruining their childhood’.

Ferguson was unbearable for them.

And for some managers, it is their off-field presence, the way they talk to the media, or their horrible style of play that often makes them into this unbearable character.

The list that Football Park brings to you today is not a characterisation of the worst managers in football.

It is a list of the exhausting ones.

That is not to say that managers in this list will not have their plaudits. Like Ferguson, many of these managers will be beloved by their current and, in some cases, former clubs.

Jose Bordalas - Getafe

There is no doubt, in my mind anyway, that Jose Bordalas is one of the most negative football coaches we have seen in the 21st century.

The 61-year-old, whose career spans over three decades, has found his footing in Spanish football over the past decade at Getafe—albeit for a season-long stint at Valencia.

Bordalas is not a bad manager. In fact, the Spaniard spearheaded Getafe to 5th in La Liga, their highest finish ever.

It is his style of football that is unbearable. So much so that if you search on Google ‘Getafe manager’, the first search response is ‘haram’.

His style, known commonly on social media sites as ‘haramball’, is an extreme style of defensive football, focused on frustrating opponents and winning through set pieces, rather than creating free-flowing attacking football.

Shockingly, Bordalás credits Johan Cruyff as his main influence. A man who was an inducement for Total Football, the juxtaposition could not be more stark.

Jose Bordalas is 60, his fuckery won’t go on for much longer, thank god

— ✍️ 🇦🇱 (@10blended) January 18, 2025

Diego Simeone - Atletico Madrid

To a similar extent as Bordalas, Simeone is often seen as unbearable or disliked due to his pragmatic style of play.

Whilst his defensive-minded football is not to the same extremes as the Getafe manager, Simeone still utilises a ruthless drilling system to a painstaking degree.

Whilst many pundits would call Simeone’s system ‘genius’, there is no doubt that his managerial capabilities in the construction of a defence that functions as a disciplined, almost suffocating unit are nothing short of remarkable.

Is it ugly? Yes

Is it anti-football? Depends on who you ask.

Simeone is no saint of a coach, and his tactics and gamesmanship focus narrowly on the ‘dark arts’ of football.

But he has had results.

Two league titles, a Copa del Rey, and a Europa League adorn his CV, whilst he has come close on two occasions to winning the most prized possession in European club football, the Champions League.

Diego Simeone is an absolute legend of Atlético and the kind of manager every player wants.

15 years ago he didn’t just take over a team, he made us believe, fight, and compete with anyone.

What do you think makes him special? I discussed with @Boabet_Global . ⤵️ #AD pic.twitter.com/kq27tXWFHM

— Fernando Torres (@Torres) January 8, 2026

Ian Holloway - Swindon Town

Just like Marmite, you either hate Ian Holloway or love him.

His press conferences are rambling, anecdotal and self-referential, often drifting far from the football itself

Over the past three months, Holloway has found himself once again in the media spotlight after he had to be restrained by his own players during an argument with a Swindon Town fan—the team he currently manages—and just two days ago went on a managerial rant for the ages, brandishing the FA and the EFL as "cowards" and "unprofessional" over the handling of his captain Ollie Clarke's ban, which he was notified of just 24 hours before a match.

Going back a year, Holloway called out his own fans, ranting that they should not travel to away games anymore, and, “If you don't like me or the club or what we are doing, then don't come. I believe that I will get thousands who will come.”

🗣️ "Have a look at yourselves"

A furious post-match reaction from Ian Holloway on Ollie Clarke's ban being announced on the eve of today's win over Barrow.

Hear his full reaction on @BBCSounds 🎧
👉 https://t.co/504V4jL6Me#STFC #BBCFootball #BBCEFL pic.twitter.com/NeREpzmCGt

— BBC Wiltshire Sport (@BBCWiltsSport) January 31, 2026

Thomas Frank - Tottenham Hotspur

Go back nine months, and Thomas Frank would not even be an afterthought for this list.

A beloved manager for Premier League side Brentford, Thomas Frank is still not seen as unbearable by the rest of the Premier League.

Except for one.

Tottenham Hotspur.

Since switching from one London club to another, Frank has faced extreme scrutiny from Spurs fans for his inability to improve from the club's last season's woes.

Whilst performing remarkably well in the Champions League—finishing fourth and qualifying for the last 16—Frank and Spurs are having a disastrous Premier League season, currently sitting in 14th place on just 29 points.

To make matters worse, in a match against Bournemouth, Frank fell under more pressure and scrutiny as he was pictured with an Arsenal coffee off before kick-off.

This has led to Arsenal fans poking fun at the Danish manager, calling him a ‘silver member’.

🎶 The Arsenal boys, we’re on a bender, Thomas Frank is a silver member! 🎶

🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/1nDAAoilSI

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) February 1, 2026

Mauricio Pochettino - Men’s United States National Team

The second manager in this list to have managed Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino, was widely seen as quite a popular manager until recently.

With the Argentine preparing the United States national side for the upcoming World Cup, which will be played in their own backyard, Pochettino has come under scrutiny and judgement for his response to Timothy Weah.

Weah, a winger for Marseille and the United States, told French newspaper Le Dauphiné that he was “disappointed” in the cost of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying that for many supporters, matches are out of reach.

Pochettino, the quite out of touch, responded to Weah’s comments, saying, “It is not Weah's duty to evaluate the price of the ticket. And then also my job, my duty, is to prepare the team, the U.S. men's national team, in the best way to perform.

"We are not politicians. We are sport people; only we can talk about our job, and I think if FIFA does something or takes some decision, they know why.”

Mauricio Pochettino has come down hard on Timothy Weah and those who are voicing their concerns about the World Cup's high ticket prices. It's not your job, shut up and dribble, accept these ticket prices. Trust FIFA, is what the #USMNT manager is telling people to do. pic.twitter.com/exAAv386tz

— herculez gomez (@herculezg) January 30, 2026

Nathan Jones - Charlton Athletic

Whilst many Charlton supporters feel strongly about Nathan Jones, the Welshman’s antics have long been viewed as unbearable by opposing fans.

In the League One play-off semi-final last season, Charlton were leading Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 going into added time.

It was then that Jones decided to pull one of his famous ‘unhinged’ moments, dropping to the turf, firmly grasping his hands together, and starting to pray to the heavens.

With the cameras firmly pointed at the manager, he kept that position until the final whistle blew. Jones then collapsed onto the floor as he was mobbed by fans.

Jones has also stirred up drama in the past with his previous club, Southampton. After a 3-0 loss to Brentford, Jones claimed that he had to compromise his principles and reminded reporters that "there weren't many better than me in Europe" based on his work at Luton Town.

Delusional, a huge ego, or just an inflated sense of self-esteem?

What on earth is happening… Nathan Jones is pure cringe pic.twitter.com/B1vT2beNTP

— R.L (@ryanlewis79) May 15, 2025

Pep Guardiola - Manchester City

The most successful manager on this list, Pep Guardiola’s achievements as a manager are something that most can only dream of.

12 league titles in Spain, Germany, and England, 13 domestic cups, three Champions Leagues, two trebles, and an array of other trophies.

There is no doubt that Guardiola is one of the greatest managers to ever adorn the touchlines.

And that is what makes him so unbearable. Whatever the Spaniard touches turns to gold—or more accurately, silverware.

As a Manchester United fan, I have the utmost admiration for Guardiola. His unbearable quality lies in his omnipresence. He is not content to win; he must also redefine the terms of winning.

Every substitution is measured, every success a referendum on football intelligence, every play drilled down to a minute detail. He is a perfectionist who will give more than any other.

Mauricio Pochettino last week:
“We are not politicians. We are sportspeople and we can only talk about sports.”

Pep Guardiola today:
“In every position I can help by speaking up, I will be there.”

Same game. Very different sense of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/hDmuXGZDV4

— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) February 4, 2026

Mikel Arteta - Arsenal

Similar to his Spanish counterpart Jose Bordalas, Mikel Arteta has become the unbearable face of the Premier League through his current tactics, which overly rely on winning set-pieces—predominantly corners—and frustrating opponents with a defensive style of play.

Is it fair? To an extent.

But is it working? Yes.

Arsenal are currently having the best season in their history. They sit six points clear of second-place Manchester City in the Premier League, topped the Champions League group stage with an immaculate record, will face either Newcastle or Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, and have progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Whilst unlikely, there is a real chance that we may see the London-based club walk away with four trophies this season.

Nonetheless, there is a truth in the condemnation from his critics.

Who are Arsenal’s top scorers in the league this season? Viktor Gyokeres and own goals, both with six.

Despite being top of the table, Arsenal averages just one open-play goal per game this season.

🗣️Mikel Arteta after the game: “When you have to rely on scoring in the last 15 minutes of the game it’s ok but when we score set pieces it’s a problem” pic.twitter.com/R8nAQSuxyj

— ⚡️ (@clinicalkai) October 18, 2025

Walid Regragui - Men’s Moroccan National Team

As the manager of the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final just three years ago, Walid Regragui should be universally heralded as a brilliant manager who created history on football's biggest stage.

Until the end of 2025, Regragui was precisely that. Third in the 2022 IFFHS Best National Coach rankings and winner of both the Africa d’Or and CAF Coach of the Year awards in 2023, the Moroccan seemed perfectly positioned to lead his country into a home Africa Cup of Nations on a wave of goodwill.

That, of course, is where it all went wrong.

Throughout the tournament, the Moroccan team played well, but conspiracy theories flittered around social media, claiming they were match-fixing.

This all came to a head in the final against Senegal, after Morocco were awarded a penalty after Senegal had scored what was presumed to be a winner. The Senegalese side briefly walked off the pitch before returning, leaving tension crackling across the stadium.

Brahim Diaz’s poorly struck panenka was easily saved by Édouard Mendy, and in the 94th minute of extra time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal.

Senegal lifted the trophy, leaving Morocco to confront a heartbreaking near miss.

After the match, Regragui went on a rant about the Senegalese team, stating that the walkoff was “shameful” and that “it did honour Africa.”

This is all while Moroccan ball boys attempted to steal Mendy’s towel from behind his goal.

Morocco's Coach, Walid Regragui was furious with Brahim Diaz, after he missed the penalty in the AFCON final agaisnt Senegal.

He subbed him off immediately. pic.twitter.com/gFnKQOEgyA

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 19, 2026

José Mourinho - Benfica

And finally, we have the special one.

Seen as the anti-Christ of football, Guardiola’s mortal enemy, Mourinho has spent his career relishing confrontation—on the pitch, off it, in every tactical duel and press conference.

Beloved, my millions, found unbearable by the same amount.

You might love him, you might hate him, but there is no doubt that Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers we have seen in the beautiful game.

Over 26 years in management, his tactics have consistently prioritised efficiency over aesthetic appeal, leaving little beauty for the neutral eye.

Coining the phrase ‘park the bus’ after a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur back in 2004, the defensive style of play where you put all men behind the ball ironically became a term used against Mourinho and his tactics for the past 20 years.

But his style of play is not the only thing fans have found unbearable about him. During his years as a manager, Mourinho has managed an array of clubs, including the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

At all three clubs, his tenure ended acrimoniously.

But despite this, Mourinho is well-vested in management. He has eight league titles, two Champions Leagues, seven league cups, and two trebles to his name.

There is a reason he is called the special one.

Football keeps reminding us how special Jose Mourinho is 🤩 pic.twitter.com/XYWgIKUhNc

— Football Factly (@FootballFactly) January 29, 2026