The business of international football has changed dramatically over the past decade. National team jobs were once seen as semi-retirement gigs or stepping stones for coaches building their reputations. The money was decent, the schedule was lighter, and the prestige was undeniable. The salaries were never close to what the elite club managers were earning.
That dynamic has shifted. The biggest football nations have realised that if they want world-class coaches, they need to pay world-class wages. The days of expecting top managers to take a massive pay cut for the honour of representing a country are fading fast.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching and the stakes higher than ever, federations are opening their wallets wider than before.
National team coaches still generally make less than their counterparts at Europe’s biggest clubs. Only a handful of international managers are pulling in more than €3.5 million a year in base salary. That number is growing, and the gap is narrowing. The top tier of national team managers now commands serious money, particularly those leading traditional powerhouses or nations with huge commercial potential.
This list represents the current elite, the managers who have secured the biggest contracts in international football. These are carefully researched figures, representing base salaries without performance bonuses or commercial add-ons.
Most of these coaches will be in the dugout at the 2026 World Cup, carrying the weight of entire nations on their shoulders.
- 1. Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil – €9.5m
- 2. Thomas Tuchel, England – €5.8m
- 3. Mauricio Pochettino, USA – €5.2m
- 4. Julian Nagelsmann, Germany – €4.8m
- 5. Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan – €4m
- 6. Roberto Martínez, Portugal – €4m
- 7. Didier Deschamps, France – €3.8m
- 8. Ricardo Gareca, Chile – €3.3m
- 9. Lionel Scaloni, Argentina – €3m
- 10. Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay – €3m
1. Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil – €9.5m
The undisputed king of the national team pay scale is Don Carlo. When the Brazilian Football Confederation finally secured his services, they did so knowing they had to pay a club-level fee for the greatest club manager of his generation.
His €9.5 million base salary is a statement, a reflection of the weight placed on the famous yellow jersey and the desperation to end a World Cup drought that stretches back to 2002.
Ancelotti is a calming, authoritative presence who brings instant credibility to a role that has felt turbulent for too long. His mandate is clear: a singular focus on the 2026 tournament. The pressure is immense, but Ancelotti has always thrived in that environment, and the financial reward reflects the size of the task.
He is the ultimate luxury signing, tasked with turning incredible raw talent into a cohesive world champion.
The salary figure is unprecedented in international football. It sits comfortably above what most club managers outside the absolute elite tier earn. For Brazil, the calculation was simple. They have the players, they have the history, but they needed someone who could handle the pressure and deliver when it matters most.
Ancelotti has won everything there is to win at club level, multiple times over. His Champions League record alone makes him one of the most decorated managers in history.
2. Thomas Tuchel, England – €5.8m
Following a period of stability, the FA made a decisive, expensive move for a tactical mind who has won the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in the England dugout in late 2024 was a signal of ambition, and his €5.8 million salary puts him squarely among the global elite.
Tuchel is a modern coach, a detail-oriented, high-intensity figure who brings a different kind of edge compared to his predecessors. He inherits a squad brimming with world-class talent, a team that has consistently fallen just short at major tournaments. The expectation, and the wage packet, is built on the belief that his knockout-stage pedigree can be the missing piece. He has been given a top-tier contract to deliver the trophy that has been eluding the nation for decades.
The FA had options when they were looking to replace Gareth Southgate. They could have gone for a safe choice, someone familiar with English football who would maintain the culture that Southgate built. Instead, they went bold. Tuchel had managed Chelsea and knew the Premier League inside out, but he also brought something England had been missing at the international level: ruthless tactical flexibility.
England’s recent tournament performances have followed a pattern. They look strong in the group stages, they navigate the early knockout rounds, and then they face a tactical puzzle they cannot solve.
Tuchel’s reputation is built on his ability to adapt on the fly, to change systems mid-game, and to find solutions when Plan A fails. That skill set is exactly what the FA believes they need, and they were willing to pay a premium to get it.
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3. Mauricio Pochettino, USA – €5.2m
The United States has long sought to elevate its national team program to match the scale of its domestic league and the sheer size of the country. With the World Cup on home soil in 2026, the US Soccer Federation made the biggest coaching investment in its history, luring Mauricio Pochettino back to international management with a contract worth €5.2 million.
Pochettino is the face of a new era for the USMNT. His experience managing major clubs like Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea, combined with his high-pressing, youth-focused philosophy, made him the perfect fit for a young, ambitious squad.
The size of his salary speaks directly to the commercial and sporting project that is US Soccer. They are willing to spend top dollar to ensure they are not just competitive, but genuinely threatening on the world stage in two years’ time.
The American project is unique on this list.
Most federations are paying big money to win a trophy or to qualify for a World Cup. The United States already has automatic qualification as a host nation. What they are paying for is relevance, respectability, and a performance that justifies the hype around American soccer. The domestic league has grown exponentially, the talent pool is deeper than ever, and the commercial opportunities are massive.
The national team still lacks the credibility that comes with deep runs in major tournaments.
His coaching philosophy fits perfectly with the athleticism and energy of the American squad. The federation is betting that his ability to develop young players and implement a clear tactical identity will turn potential into results when the world is watching in 2026.
4. Julian Nagelsmann, Germany – €4.8m
Julian Nagelsmann took on the Germany job at a time when the team needed a serious jolt of energy and tactical innovation. The youngest manager on this list, his €4.8 million annual salary is a vote of confidence in his ability to fix the issues that have plagued the Mannschaft in recent major tournaments.
German football has prioritised a return to dominance, and they see Nagelsmann as the man to do it. His contract reflects the urgency and the difficulty of the task. He is a tactician known for his demanding style and meticulous preparation. The federation is investing heavily in his vision, hoping his fresh, club-coaching mindset can restore Germany’s traditional status as an international powerhouse.
Germany’s fall from grace has been one of the more surprising stories in international football over the past few years. A nation that has consistently performed at the highest level, which won the World Cup in 2014, suddenly found itself struggling to get out of the group stages.
The issue was not a lack of talent. Germany still produces world-class players. The problem was tactical stagnation and a failure to evolve with the modern game.
Nagelsmann was brought in specifically to change that. His club career at Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich showed he was one of the brightest tactical minds in European football. His approach is aggressive, possession-based, and built on high pressing and quick transitions.
The German federation looked at what he achieved at club level and decided that he was the coach who could drag their national team back into the elite tier. The salary reflects how important that mission is to German football.
5. Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan – €4m
This is one of the more intriguing names on the list. Fabio Cannavaro’s presence highlights a willingness of Asian federations to spend serious money to climb the global rankings. His €4 million salary with Uzbekistan is a clear statement of intent. Cannavaro, a World Cup winner and Ballon d’Or recipient, carries immense star power and experience, particularly from his time managing in China.
Uzbekistan’s goal is simple yet ambitious: to qualify for the World Cup and establish itself as a consistent force in Asian football. Paying a world-renowned name like Cannavaro such a large fee is part of a broader strategy to attract attention, professionalise the setup, and inject the kind of winning mentality only a global champion can bring.
The Asian football market has become increasingly competitive in recent years, not just on the pitch but also in terms of investment and infrastructure. Countries like Uzbekistan, historically seen as mid-tier in the AFC, are now willing to spend big to accelerate their development.
Hiring Cannavaro is about more than just tactics. It is about sending a message to players, to other federations, and to FIFA that Uzbekistan is serious about becoming a regular presence at World Cups.
Cannavaro brings name recognition and a winning pedigree that few coaches can match. His playing career speaks for itself, and his coaching experience in China gave him insight into developing football markets. For Uzbekistan, the investment is a calculated risk. If he can guide them to the 2026 World Cup, the return on investment will be enormous in terms of exposure, revenue, and national pride.
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6. Roberto Martínez, Portugal – €4m
Roberto Martínez moved seamlessly from Belgium to Portugal, and his €4 million salary reflects the expectation that comes with managing a squad of Portugal’s calibre. They are a nation perennially tipped for success, possessing a depth of talent that rivals any in Europe.
Martínez’s tenure started with an immediate focus on stability and qualification. While he faced criticism for his tactical approach with Belgium, his record of winning games is hard to argue with. His job now is to manage the transition from the golden generation to the next wave, all while maintaining the consistency needed to win a major tournament.
The federation’s financial commitment is a sign that they believe he can finally deliver on the immense promise of the Portuguese squad.
Portugal finds itself in a familiar position. They have world-class talent across the pitch, they have a footballing identity that is respected globally, and they have recent success to build on after winning the European Championship in 2016.
They also have the lingering feeling that with the players they have had over the past decade, they should have won more.
Martínez was brought in to change that. His Belgium tenure showed he could manage elite players and compete at the highest level, even if his teams sometimes fell short in the biggest moments.
Portugal is betting that his experience, combined with their talented squad, will be enough to finally turn potential into silverware. The salary reflects the expectation that anything less than a deep tournament run in 2026 will be considered a failure.
7. Didier Deschamps, France – €3.8m
It feels right that the most successful national team manager of the last decade, Didier Deschamps, is still firmly in the top 10. His €3.8 million contract is the reward for an extraordinary run that includes a World Cup victory and another final appearance.
Deschamps has been a pillar of stability for Les Bleus since 2012.
His salary is the price of keeping a proven winner who manages one of the most explosive, high-potential squads in the world. He has successfully navigated generational changes and internal politics while maintaining a laser focus on results.
Deschamps has confirmed he will step down after the 2026 World Cup, and his current deal ensures he will be well compensated for completing his long and storied reign.
He is the standard by which modern international managers are measured. His France side won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final again in 2022. He has managed the transition from one generation of stars to the next without missing a beat.
He has dealt with internal controversies, tactical criticism, and the constant pressure that comes with managing France, and he has delivered results consistently.
The salary might seem modest compared to some of the names above him on this list, but that is partly a reflection of when his current contract was signed. Deschamps has been in the role for over a decade, and his deal was negotiated at a time when international salaries were lower across the board.
What matters more than the number is what it represents: France values stability and success, and Deschamps has provided both in abundance.
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8. Ricardo Gareca, Chile – €3.3m
South America’s qualifying process is famously brutal, and Chile has bet big on a familiar figure to navigate it. Ricardo Gareca, known for his transformative work with Peru, was brought in to revitalise a Chilean side struggling to recapture its former glory.
His €3.3 million salary demonstrates the high value placed on World Cup qualification in the CONMEBOL region.
Gareca’s reputation is built on making less-fancied teams punch above their weight, instilling discipline, and creating a strong sense of identity. For a nation missing the World Cup party, the investment in Gareca is a calculated risk, hoping his unique blend of tactical pragmatism and man-management can push the veterans one last time while integrating new talent.
Chile’s situation is desperate in the context of its recent history.
This is a nation that won back-to-back Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016, that had a golden generation capable of beating anyone on their day. That generation is aging, and the transition to the next group of players has been messy. Chile missed the last World Cup, and they are in real danger of missing the next one too.
Gareca was hired because he understands South American football better than almost anyone.
His work with Peru, taking them to a World Cup after decades of failure, proved he could build something from limited resources. Chile has more talent than Peru did, but they also have higher expectations and more internal pressure. The salary reflects the urgency of the situation.
For Chile, missing another World Cup would be a disaster, and they are willing to pay whatever it takes to avoid that outcome.
9. Lionel Scaloni, Argentina – €3m
The World Cup winner sits just outside the top tier in terms of raw base salary, which speaks volumes about the sometimes-unpredictable nature of international contracts. Lionel Scaloni earns a base of €3 million a year, a significant increase from his initial contract but still a number that feels modest for the man who delivered the nation’s third World Cup.
Scaloni’s initial salary reflected his relative inexperience when he first took the job.
Since then, he has proven his worth tenfold, but the financial structure of the Argentine federation means his deal, while improved after the win in Qatar, remains grounded compared to the European giants. His value to the national team is incalculable, but his paycheck offers a subtle reminder that not every winning coach commands the same club-level money.
The story of Scaloni is one of the more remarkable in recent international football. He was a relatively unknown assistant coach when he took over Argentina in 2018, more as a caretaker than a long-term solution. Nobody expected him to last, let alone to transform the team into world champions.
He did exactly that, building a cohesive unit around Lionel Messi and creating a team culture that had been missing for years.
His salary reflects the unique circumstances of his appointment and the financial realities of the Argentine federation. They do not have the resources of European nations, and Scaloni was not in a position to demand massive wages when he first took the job.
Even after winning the World Cup, his contract extension was modest by international standards. But for Scaloni, the job was never about the money. It was about restoring pride to Argentine football, and in that sense, he has already earned every peso.
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10. Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay – €3m
Closing out the top ten is the eccentric, brilliant figure of Marcelo Bielsa. His appointment to the Uruguay national team came with the expectation of radical change and a full embrace of his high-intensity, demanding philosophy.
His €3 million salary is a fair reflection of his status as one of the game’s most influential, if unpredictable, thinkers.
Bielsa is not just coaching a team. He is building an entire program from the youth level up. The federation is paying for a complete system overhaul, not just a match-day manager. His current project involves a tough qualification campaign and preparing Uruguay’s next generation of players. Paying a premium for El Loco is simply the price of admitting you want a visionary to completely change your football culture.
Uruguay’s decision to hire Bielsa was bold. He is not a coach who compromises, who adapts to what players want, or who takes the easy path. He demands total commitment, brutal training sessions, and a specific way of playing that requires fitness levels most international teams cannot maintain.
Uruguay looked at their recent performances and decided they needed something radical. They needed someone who would tear down the old structures and rebuild from scratch.
The salary is significant for a South American federation, but it reflects the ambition of the project. Bielsa has influenced a generation of modern coaches, from Pep Guardiola to Mauricio Pochettino.
His ideas about pressing, positioning, and intensity have shaped how football is played at the highest level. Uruguay is betting that its methods, applied to its talented but underperforming squad, will produce something special. The risk is high, but so is the potential reward.
The salaries drop off sharply after this top group, with managers like Ronald Koeman at the Netherlands earning around €3 million and marking the next tier down. The common thread among the highest paid is a blend of world-class club pedigree, the pressure of managing a global superpower, or the ambition of a nation ready to invest dramatically to reach the 2026 World Cup.
The international game might not have the daily grind of the club calendar, but the demands for a top coach remain astronomical. The pressure to deliver at a World Cup, with four years of expectation riding on a handful of matches, is unlike anything in club football.
The paychecks are finally starting to catch up to that reality. National teams are realising that if they want the best coaches, they need to compete financially with the biggest clubs. The numbers on this list prove that shift is already happening.
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