Who are the most expensive managers in football history?

 

Graham Potter’s ascent from managing in the fourth-tier of the Swedish footballing pyramid to becoming head coach of one of biggest clubs on the planet is the stuff of footballing fairytales.

The 47-year-old Englishman, who began his managerial career with Östersund less than 12 years ago, became Chelsea boss on Wednesday, following the Blues’ decision to part company with Thomas Tuchel earlier in the week.

Realistically, Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly could have had his pick of any number of high-profile names for the Stamford Bridge vacancy.

Potter lacks the box office appeal of several of his predecessors. You won’t find the former Brighton boss going on a bizarre rant like Jose Mourinho or causing havoc on the touchline like Antonio Conte.

In truth, Potter’s win percentage at the Amex Stadium wasn’t much to write home about, either (43 victories in 134 matches).

That said, his reputation as a coach is among some of the best in the English game. Speaking about Potter in the press release to announce his appointment, Boehly called Chelsea’s new boss “a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club.

“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club. He has had a major impact at his previous clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.”

Boehly was more than willing to put his money where his mouth is when it came to Potter too.

fourth best-paid boss in the Premier League.

Before the two parties could even talk contracts, however, Chelsea had to convince Brighton to allow them to negotiate with Potter – something the Seagulls initially had absolutely no interest in.

Graham Potter is now the most expensive manager in football history

Per a report from Transfermarkt, it took a massive £20m (€23m) compensation offer to persuade Brighton to part company with their boss.

That €23m sum sees Potter now rank as the most expensive manager in football history. You can check out the top 10 in full below.

10. Mark Hughes (Blackburn Rovers to Manchester City) – €6.2m

9. Brendan Rodgers (Swansea City to Liverpool) – €6.2m

8. Adi Hutter (Eintracht Frankfurt to Borussia Monchengladbach) – €7.5m

7. Ruben Amorim (FC Braga to Sporting Lisbon) – €10.0m

7. Ruben Amorim (FC Braga to Sporting Lisbon) – €10.0m

6. Christophe Galtier (Nice to Paris Saint-Germain) – €10.0m

5. Brendan Rodgers (Celtic to Leicester City) – €10.4m

4. Andre Villas-Boas (FC Porto to Chelsea) – €15.0m

3. Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan to Real Madrid) – €16.0m

2. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich) – €20m

1. Graham Potter (Brighton to Chelsea) – €23m

Potter’s move relegates Bayern boss Nagelsmann to second-place on the list and also makes him costlier than previous Chelsea managers Villas-Boas and Mourinho.

Current Leicester boss Rodgers is the only man to feature on the list twice, having convinced both the Foxes and Liverpool to fork out big money for his services earlier in his career.

Given how poorly things are going at the King Power Stadium at present, we can’t see too many clubs being in a hurry to get into a bidding war over Rodgers’ services today.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea’s unprecedented investment in Potter will prove a wise move.

Given how poorly things are going at the King Power Stadium at present, we can’t see too many clubs being in a hurry to get into a bidding war over Rodgers’ services today.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea’s unprecedented investment in Potter will prove a wise move.