10 managerial geniuses who didn't have great playing careers
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers in the history of footballFootball isn't just a sport about 11 men on the field trying to get that all-important victory. There is more to it than just goals and incredible saves, there is someone who is coaching the players, ensuring that they can exploit even the slightest weakness in the opposition. Football is not a game, it is a battle where the smartest often win.Managers and coaches have taken up important roles for clubs as they are the men behind the magic taking place. Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson are just some of the great managers who have transformed clubs with their philosophy and thinking. Guardiola did have a great playing career as well, winning quite a lot both as a manager and player. We look back at some of the great managers in the sport of football that didn't really cut it as players but have ended up being incredible managers for their respective clubs:
#1 Andre Villas-Boas
Tottenham and Chelsea fans might not remember the Portuguese manager too fondly but Villas-Boas can be remembered for some rather drastic thinking in the way his teams played. Villas-Boas didn't really have a great playing career, in fact, he was already picking up his coaching badges under the tutelage of the legendary English manager, Sir Bobby Robson.
Villas-Boas picked up his UEFA A License at the tender age of 19. the Portuguese then left FC Porto and Jose Mourinho to start coaching Academica in 2009. He transformed the side that was bottom of the league at the time he took the position and guided them to safety in 11th place.
He was then recruited by Porto in 2010 and Villas-Boas won the Portuguese League, Cup and Europa League with the club during the 2010-11 season. His time in England was not fruitful for both Tottenham and Chelsea but he has found his magic with Zenit St. Petersburg, leading them to the Russian Premier League in the 2014-15 season.
Oh and he is only 38 at the moment.