Guiding a team to success involves a lot more than meets the eye; a solid understanding of the game, exceptional managerial skills, and sleepless nights trying to make things work. This is why coaches who had outstanding performances on the international scene are considered to be legendary. Below are some of the greatest of all time international football coaches.
Rinus Michels
Rinus Michels did not have what many would consider a dream start as the Netherlands coach. He got to try four times before finally winning an international trophy, which was a European Championship. However, he had previously coached the national side to the World Cup finals in 1974. He had also helped AFC Ajax to become a football powerhouse by winning four Eredivisie titles. He coined the popular style of play known as Total Football. In the years which followed his European Cup win, he went on to get major trophies with FC Koln and Barcelona. In 1999, he received the UEFA’s Coach of the Century award.
Valeriy Lobanovskyi
Valeriy was known for his strictness and scientific approach to football. He changed the fortunes of Dynamo Kyiv of Ukraine two times. Later, he went on to win eight league championships, the European Cup Winners’ Cup, and six domestic cups. He was also the manager of the national team three times, leading it to get the bronze medal in the Olympics. The national team also appeared in the World Cup two times and got the runner-up position in the European Championship. Valeriy returned to Kyiv after unsuccessful stints with Kuwait and the UAE, helping them get five consecutive titles.
Vicente Del Bosque
Vicente steered Real Madrid to two La Liga and Champions League titles. He also had quite remarkable international performances. The Spaniard helped Spain to get to the World Cup for the first time and later guided them to win against Italy to retain the European Championship.