The Least Successful Players-Turned-Managers

Not all great players make great managers, and some downright crash and burn. A recent example? Robin van Persie kicked off his managerial career in the Eredivisie with a crushing 9-1 loss.

 

9-1. Ouch.

 

Unfortunately, he’s not alone in the hall of footballers who failed miserably in management. Let’s take a closer look at five footballing legends who couldn’t replicate their on-field success from the touchline.

Diego Maradona – A Legend’s Downfall

 

Diego Maradona is one of the most revered players in football history. His “Hand of God” moment and unparalleled talent on the ball are immortalized in the sport’s folklore. However, when it came to managing, things didn’t go quite as well.

 

After brief spells managing in Argentina, Maradona took charge of the national team in 2008. Expectations were high. It’s Maradona, after all, what could go wrong? Well, quite a bit. His team scraped through the qualifiers, but when it came to the World Cup in 2010, they were embarrassingly knocked out 4-0 by Germany in the quarterfinals. That was enough for the Argentine Football Association to show him the door.

 

His managerial stints, such as with Al Wasl in the UAE and Mexican second-division side Dorados, failed to generate any real success. Maradona’s charisma could only get him so far; his managerial prowess, not so much.

Gary Neville – From TV Pundit to Spanish Nightmare

 

Everyone knows Gary Neville as the outspoken football pundit who loves to break down tactics with absolute certainty. So, when he was appointed manager of Valencia in 2015, fans were eager to see how his football brain would translate to the actual management of a club. Well, let’s just say Neville should have stuck to the commentary booth.

 

In a chaotic four-month spell, Neville won just three out of 16 La Liga matches. He had zero understanding of Spanish (he communicated with the players via an interpreter) and his tactical choices were confusing. Valencia was humiliated by Barcelona in a 7-0 loss in the Copa del Rey semifinal, which was arguably the final straw. His managerial career was over before it even began.

 

Alan Shearer – The Geordie King’s Relegation Curse

 

Newcastle United’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer tried to rescue his boyhood club from relegation in 2009. He stepped in as caretaker manager for the final eight games of the season. Shearer’s love for the club was evident, but managing? Not so much.

 

In what can only be described as a nightmare managerial debut, Shearer’s Newcastle managed just one win out of eight. His stint with the team culminated in relegation from the Premier League. The team was demoralised, the tactics were shaky, and Shearer’s charisma on the pitch did little to translate to his ability to steer a sinking ship. He walked away from management after that, realising that perhaps being Newcastle’s saviour was a task even he couldn’t handle.

 

Tony Adams – Captain Fantastic, Managerial Flop

 

As a player, Tony Adams was the heart and soul of Arsenal, a leader and a rock-solid defender. However, his managerial career didn’t reflect the same stability. After struggling with Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth, Adams took a curious dive into Spanish football with Granada in 2017.

 

In one of the most bizarre managerial reigns in La Liga history, Adams took over a Granada side destined for relegation. His time at the helm? A resounding zero wins and seven losses. His sideline antics—yelling and gesticulating wildly—became memes, while the results spoke for themselves. Granada was relegated, and Adams hasn’t managed since. As they say in betting, the odds were never in his favour.

 

Edgar Davids – The Pitbull on the Pitch, Poodle in the Dugout

 

Edgar Davids, the dynamic midfielder with those famous goggles, brought ferocity to the pitch. His managerial career, however, was far less intimidating. Appointed player-manager of Barnet in 2012, Davids wore his legendary number 1 jersey (yes, as a midfielder), which was bizarre in itself.

 

His stint in charge was chaotic, to say the least. His tactical decisions were questionable, and he racked up more red cards than wins, getting sent off three times in his managerial tenure. Barnet was relegated, and Davids resigned, marking the end of his ill-fated managerial attempt.

What’s the Lesson Here?

 

The transition from playing legend to managerial genius isn’t as smooth as you’d think. While some players make the leap successfully, others crash harder than a bad bet on a long shot. And speaking of bets, before you put your money on any up-and-coming player-turned-manager, you might want to check out casinosbonus.co.za for some useful guides on how to manage your odds. Because in football, like in betting, nothing’s ever a sure thing.