Top 10 Young Football Managers (Part Two)

Read Part 1 here: Top 10 Young Football Managers (Part I)

Football, over the last couple of seasons, has been witnessing a ‘change of guard’. Players who we adored in their prime have retired, managers that headed some of the greatest sides in history have resigned. All this has given rise to the next generation of football personnel ranging from talented young footballers to talented young tacticians.

In this piece we will be focusing on the Top 10 Young Football Managers, that could be at the helm of some of the biggest clubs in World Football, in the not-so-distant future.

Please note that we have restricted this list to ‘upcoming’ managers rather than established ones or ones that are fairly well-known in the World of football/earned moves to big clubs (eg: Brendan Rodgers, Andre Villas Boas etc).

5. Vitor Pereira

Age: 44

Nationality: Portuguese

Current club: Al-Ahli

Previous clubs (selected): FC Porto; Santa Clara; Espinho; Sanjoanense

Major Honours/Accolades: Portuguese Primeira Liga (2011-12 & 2012-13); UEFA Super Cup (2011); Taca da Liga (2013)

Expert View:

Even though his background includes several years as assistant and head coach, Vítor Pereira has not amassed a great deal of experience at the top level – not unlike his predecessor at FC Porto, André Villas-Boas, despite being almost ten years his senior.

However, Pereira was able to lead his charges to back-to-back Portuguese titles, with a single defeat in 60 league matches.
Combined with a playing career (albeit modest), his degree in Physical Education and specialisation in football have given him a knowledge of the game that is second to none, which surely showed over the last three years (bear in mind he was AVB’s assistant coach at FC Porto).

Pereira’s strong suits are clearly his ability to implement his ideas – which revolve around ball possession, high pressing and controlling the match at all times – and convey them to the players. Conversely, his media persona can sometimes fail him and he is not necessarily a motivational leader, something that rears its head when his team are trailing, for instance.

All in all, Pereira is his own man, with strong convictions (on and off the pitch), and a coach who takes pride in defending his men against what he perceives – or conceives – as threats. His tactical skills are quite good, but he may come across as somewhat bland, especially when compared to his countrymen José Mourinho and AVB.

A move to Al Ahli came as a surprise to many, but his coaching ability is there for all to see. The possibility of Pereira returning to Europe are still high, as he still has some unfinished business in the region.