The Highest Paid Managers in Premier League
Money makes football go round and the Premier League managers’ job comes with enormous pressure of getting results. Stakes are worth millions of pounds during the season and the hierarchy are never slow in trying to limit their losses in order to save face. As heartless as this short termism by the club owners can be, the managers get paid astronomical amounts for their hourly rates even when they are struggling to keep their reputation intact. Some discover the reality the hard way while others are afforded all the time in the world to recover their lost credit. But managers certainly cannot grumble about the weekly figures in their bank accounts, can they?
Their basic contracts are astronomical and the Premier League’s top bosses take some of the top wages in the sport anywhere in the world. After all, the Premier League fills much of Deloitte’s Football Money League – and the growth in demand for English top-flight football is being met with increased investment.
So, it’s no wonder that some dramatic managerial wages are on show. Give Me Sport compiled all 20 Premier League managers from lowest to highest earners, with the help of Sports Payouts and Football Boast, back in October 2023. With some updates from Football Fan Cast for new managers Chris Wilder and Nuno Espirito Santo, as well as The Guardian and De Telegraaf for Oliver Glasner and Arne Slot respectively, we can now pinpoint just how much every manager is on.
All Premier League Managers Salaries
Rank | Manager | Club | Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Pep Guardiola | Manchester City | £20 million |
2. | Mauricio Pochettino | Chelsea | £10.4 million |
3. | Mikel Arteta | Arsenal | £9.5 million |
4. | Erik ten Hag | Manchester United | £9 million |
5. | Arne Slot | Liverpool | £6.85 million |
6. | Sean Dyche | Everton | £5 million |
7. | Ange Postecoglou | Tottenham | £5 million |
8. | Thomas Frank | Brentford | £4.5 million |
9. | Oliver Glasner | Crystal Palace | £4.5 million |
10. | Eddie Howe | Newcastle United | £4 million |
11. | Unai Emery | Aston Villa | £4 million |
12. | Marco Silva | Fulham | £4 million |
13. | Nuno Espirito Santo | Nottingham Forest | £2 million |
14. | Rob Edwards | Luton Town | £2 million |
15. | Vincent Kompany | Burnley | £2 million |
16. | Andoni Iraola | Bournemouth | £1 million |
17. | Chris Wilder | Sheffield United | Unknown |
18. | Gary O’Neil | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Unknown |
N/A | N/A | Brighton & Hove Albion | N/A |
N/A | N/A | West Ham United | N/A |
1. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City (£20 million per year)
Pep Guardiola is not surprised to be the top earner on this highest paid managers in the Premier League list. Widely considered to be the greatest manager of the new era, and potentially the greatest manager of all time, Guardiola has enjoyed glorious and distinguished successes at every club he has ever managed. Especially at Manchester City, where he has overseen a glut of trophies in his eight years at the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan’s tactical masterclass and constant successes explain his £20 million a year basic salary.
2. Mikel Arteta – Arsenal (£9.5 million per year)
With Mauricio Pochettino recently fired by Chelsea after a dire season that sees the Champions heading to the Conference League despite being the most expensively assembled team in world football, Mikel Arteta has jumped up into 2nd on this highest paid managers in the Premier League list. Arteta has justified the hype, competing with Pep Guardiola’s City outfit in each of his two seasons in charge. Despite finishing trophyless in both of these campaigns, Arteta’s progress shouldn’t be overlooked. The Spaniard’s £9.5 million a year wage explains his position as the 2nd highest earner in the league.
3. Erik ten Hag – Manchester United (£9 million per year)
Erik ten Hag will be earning £9 million a year to bring his tactical brilliance and managerial knowledge to Manchester United. The Dutchman has enjoyed a successful period with Ajax, cultivating a reputation for developing young players and implementing entertaining football, ten Hag has a point to prove at United. His salary explains the need for him to deliver success at one of the most successful and well known football clubs in the world.
4. Arne Slot – Liverpool (£6.85 million per year)
Arne Slot is the Liverpool manager at £6.85 million per year. The 45-year-old has a progressive footballing philosophy and has impressed during his time in Dutch football. Slot’s arrival at Anfield explains Liverpool’s desire to keep up with the pace in the Premier League and in Europe.
The Race
There’s no doubt that the highest paid managers are the ones making the biggest waves in the Premier League. With Jurgen Klopp departing Anfield after a glorious nine years, the next generation are stepping up. As these managers endure the intense pressures of Premier League football, their eye-watering wages explain the huge responsibility and need for them to perform. The battle for the major honours in English football is as strong as ever and it will be fascinating to see who’s next in line to rise to the challenge.