7 Underrated Managers Changing the Game

In football, the spotlight is usually reserved for a select group of managers, the Klopps, Guardiolas, Mourinhos, and Ancelottis of the world. They dominate headlines and command the narrative. But if you look closely, just beneath the glitz and glamour of the top-tier elite, you’ll find another breed of manager quietly redefining the sport. These are the tacticians who don’t always get the front-page treatment, but who are innovating, inspiring, and, most importantly, winning on their own terms.

I’ve been keeping a close eye on seven of these managers. They may not yet have Champions League trophies or global fame, but they’re changing the way football is played, taught, and understood.

1. Arne Slot (Liverpool)

When Arne Slot took over at Feyenoord, many saw it as a sideways move. But what he did with that team was remarkable. His tactical fluidity, emphasis on aggressive pressing, and smart positional play made Feyenoord one of the most entertaining sides in Europe. Now at Liverpool, Slot has inherited a club with legacy and pressure. Unlike the emotional, high-octane approach of Jurgen Klopp, Slot leans into structure and calm execution. His ability to blend modern football concepts with traditional English intensity makes him one to watch. I believe he’s about to surprise a lot of doubters in the Premier League.

2. Michel (Girona)

Michel has been the architect behind Girona’s recent surge. While most managers in La Liga focus on keeping up with the Barcelonas and Real Madrids, Michel has taken a different route, building an identity rooted in fluid attacking play and courage on the ball. His Girona side doesn’t sit back against bigger opponents; they press, they dominate possession, and they play with a sense of freedom that many bigger teams lack. I’ve seen how his tactical awareness and player development have pushed Girona into conversations nobody expected. For me, Michel embodies the idea that tactical bravery can redefine expectations.

3. Thiago Motta (Juventus)

Thiago Motta has long been an intriguing thinker of the game. Even during his playing days, he was considered a cerebral midfielder who viewed the pitch as a chessboard. His managerial philosophy reflects that same intelligence. At Bologna, he implemented an innovative positional system where players rotated frequently, and the traditional roles of defenders and midfielders blurred into one fluid unit. Now at Juventus, he’s bringing that philosophy to a bigger stage. While others focus on rigid formation structure, Motta emphasizes spacing, adaptability, and collective control. I believe his vision could bring Juventus back to its tactical roots, balanced yet dangerous.

4. Will Still (Previously Reims, Next Stop TBD)

Will Still made headlines for being the young, video-game-loving coach who led Reims on an unbeaten run in Ligue 1 without even holding a UEFA Pro License. But the gimmick faded quickly when his results spoke louder. Still’s methods are analytical, rooted in data, and emotionally intelligent. He connects with players not just as athletes but as people. His training sessions are modern and efficient, and his in-game adjustments are impressively sharp. Though he recently left Reims, I’m convinced that his next appointment will be a bigger stage where his full potential can be seen.

5. Paulo Fonseca (AC Milan)

Paulo Fonseca has bounced around a bit, from Shakhtar Donetsk to Roma to Lille, but he’s now found a home at AC Milan. Often underestimated, Fonseca is a builder. He doesn’t come into clubs with a heavy hand; instead, he adapts to the players and slowly molds the team into a high-possession, sharp-pressing machine. What I’ve always admired about Fonseca is his attention to attacking movements and how he encourages defenders to play brave passes into midfield. At Milan, he’s finally been given a platform with real talent. I think we’re going to see his reputation transform this season.

6. Ruben Amorim (Man United)

Ruben Amorim is a name that consistently flies under the radar outside Portugal. But within the country, he’s regarded as something of a genius. At Sporting CP, Amorim implemented a 3-4-3 system that emphasized high pressing, wide overloads, and fearless youth development. Under his guidance, Sporting broke the dominance of Porto and Benfica. What’s unique about Amorim is how confident he is in promoting teenagers into high-pressure roles. He’s not bound by reputation, he’s bound by performance. That kind of conviction is rare. Whether or not he moves to a bigger European club soon, I already see him as one of the continent’s sharpest minds.

7. Francesco Farioli (Ajax)

Italian managers often get stereotyped as defensive masterminds, but Francesco Farioli is breaking that mold. At Nice, he built a defensively solid team that also loved to play on the front foot. His coaching combines Italian structure with a Dutch-like preference for possession and verticality. Now at Ajax, he’s in a club that mirrors his ideology. Farioli’s background in sports science and goalkeeping has given him a unique lens on football. His teams are conditioned to run, think, and press like machines. I’m fascinated to see how he rebuilds Ajax’s identity using modern tools and old-school values.

What These Managers Have in Common

Although these seven managers come from different countries and backgrounds, their approaches share some clear traits. First, they’re all innovators. None of them are copying the blueprints of more famous managers. Instead, they’re testing new systems, trusting younger players, and adjusting to match dynamics rather than sticking to rigid game plans.

Second, they’re great communicators. In the modern game, emotional intelligence is as vital as tactical knowledge. These coaches aren’t screamers or authoritarian figures. They explain. They guide. They mentor. Their players trust them, and you can see that trust in how their teams play with unity and clarity.

Third, they’re adaptable. Whether it’s Fonseca shifting formations mid-match, or Slot tweaking his midfield lines, these managers treat tactics as a conversation, not a command. They read the game as it unfolds and make decisions that reflect that fluidity.

Lastly, they are invested in development, both of themselves and their players. That growth mindset is key. They aren’t chasing quick fixes or short-term trophies. They’re building clubs, shaping philosophies, and creating legacies that may not be obvious today but will be admired tomorrow.

Why Underrated Matters

In an era where football can feel saturated with brand names and recycled ideas, these underrated managers offer something more genuine. They remind us that football, at its heart, is still a game of clever people solving complex problems. These coaches don’t dominate the social media cycles. They don’t flash their egos at press conferences. But they do the work. And slowly, they’re reshaping clubs, fan expectations, and even tactical norms.

When we talk about the evolution of football, we often speak of superstar players, billion-dollar transfers, or iconic goals. But evolution also happens in the quieter moments, in the decisions made on cold Tuesday training sessions, in the halftime changes that no one notices, and in the trust built between a coach and a 19-year-old fullback getting his first start.

I watch these managers with a kind of reverence. They’re writing the future of the game in pencil for now. But one day, we’ll look back and realize they were carving it in stone all along.

Conclusion

It’s easy to admire the giants of football management, but the beauty of the sport often lives in the margins. These seven managers aren’t just filling time between big-name appointments. They’re architects of change, each with a blueprint for how football can be smarter, fairer, and more exciting. As the spotlight continues to swing their way, I’ll be cheering them on, not just for what they’re achieving, but for how they’re doing it. Because sometimes, the game is changed not by the loudest voices but by the smartest minds.