Many top ranked football managers have had great playing careers having the experience of featuring for top clubs and national teams.
Some of the modern tacticians who were stars during their days on the pitch include Crystal Palace's Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard of Everton, Didier Deschamps who manages the French National Team and Aliou Cissé of Senegal among others.
However, there are few managers who have never played the game professionally but have succeeded as managers.
TeamKenya takes a look at the top managers who did not have a career as football players.
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsman began his coaching career at the age of 28 with his first job being the head-coach of Hoffenheim in October 2015.
The manager is decorated with many accolades where in 2020 he was the youngest ever Champions League coach, youngest ever coach to top a Champions League group, youngest ever to coach a Champions League knockout stage match and the youngest ever coach to win a Champions League knockout match.
The Bayern Head coach studied Business Administration and Sports Science before starting his managerial career.
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Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodger who currently is the Leicester manager attempted to play football but a genetic knee condition forced the manager to retire at the age of 20.
His first job as manager was in 2004 where he coached Chelsea's youth squad before becoming the reserve manager of the Chelsea senior team two years later.
Maurizio Sarri
The Italian who currently manages Lazio tried to have a professional football career as a player however he was unable to graduate beyond the amature level.
Sarri who worked as a banker before being a football coach was affected by injuries which cut short his aspirations.
Andre Villas-Boas
The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager's coaching career began at a young age as he used to live in the same apartment with the then Porto manager Sir Bobby Robson.
His first appointment came as Sir Robson noted he had an impressive idea about football resulting in him being appointed to Porto's observation department.
The club arranged for Boas to get the FA coaching badges where he received his A licence at the age of 19.
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