The Top 5 Managers at Euro 2020

By Jamie Smith

There is arguably no bigger test in football management than leading a team into an international tournament, and Euro 2020 poses a particularly tough challenge.

COVID concerns and the added travel due to the tournament taking place across Europe adds to the headache facing managers in the build-up to the event. But this is the job they signed up for and they should be equipped for whatever is thrown at them over the next month or so.

Here are five of the top managers to watch out for at Euro 2020.

1.  Luis Enrique – Spain

For a long time, it did not seem likely Luis Enrique would be in charge of Spain for Euro 2020. In June 2019 the former Barcelona manager stepped away from the Spain job for family reasons, with Robert Moreno taking charge.

But Enrique surprisingly returned to the post in November that year following a restorative few months away from the dugout.

After starting his coaching career with Barcelona’s B team back in 2008-2011, Enrique took charge of Roma and Celta Vigo before going home to Camp Nou.

There, he became one of the most decorated coaches in world football, winning a glorious treble in the 2014-15 season. Unibet is offering 9/1 on Spain adding Euro 2020 to their coach’s glittering CV.

2.  Joachim Low – Germany

Low’s record has taken a battering in recent years with Germany enduring a horrendous World Cup at Russia 2018, the defending champions crashing out embarrassingly in the group stage. He subsequently dumped senior stars including Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller but has recalled them for this summer’s tournament as Germany look for their fourth Euros crown.

Low has now been in charge for 14 years with the highlights of the World Cup winner’s reign also including reaching the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 and Euro 2016. You can get 9/1 at Unibet on Germany lifting the trophy

3.  Roberto Mancini – Italy

Mancini is one of Euro 2020’s most decorated managers, having won three Serie A titles with Inter and leading Manchester City to the Premier League crown in 2011-12. Known as an authoritative figure with a ferocious temper, Mancini’s man-management methods have often been questioned by players, but there is no doubt he gets results.

Italy were in the doldrums when he took over, having failed to qualify for Russia 2018. But under Mancini the Azzurri have been resurgent, topping a qualifying group that included Finland and Greece in style to emerge as contenders.

4.  Fernando Santos – Portugal

One of the most experienced managers at Euro 2020, Santos has a brilliant record. The 66-year-old has managed all of Portugal’s biggest clubs – he won five major titles during a spell at Porto – and has been in charge of the national side since 2014.

Portugal’s first taste of international glory came with Santos at the helm as they triumphed against the odds to lift the trophy at Euro 2016. Santos then proved that was no fluke as the Portuguese went on to win the first ever UEFA Nations League by beating Netherlands 1-0 in the final.

Paddy Power offers 10/1 for Santos and Portugal to continue their winning streak of titles.

5.  Didier Deschamps – France

Some still have doubts over Deschamps, even though he led France to victory at the last World Cup. The French undoubtedly had the strongest squad, so they were widely expected to succeed.

But coping under that level of expectation is not easy, with the former Juventus midfielder able to steer his side to glory, making up for the disappointment of defeat in the Euro 2016 final on home soil.

Deschamps – who won three straight Coupe de la Ligue titles between 2010 and 2012 when in charge of Marseille – has also shown he can rebuild relationships that were broken too.

The Euro 2020 recall he surprisingly handed to the exiled Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema came out of nowhere and boosts favourites France’s chances of lifting the trophy – they are the favourites at 5/1 with Paddy Power.

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