They may be twiddling their thumbs at the moment, but when the managerial sack race moves into full swing you can be sure these ten candidates will find their CVs at the top of many a club’s wish list. Sport.co.uk tracks down ten managers with sterling pedigree but no club.
Avram Grant
Given the unenviable task of replacing the self anointed “Special One” at Stamford Bridge in 2007, Avram Grant stepped up (down) from his position as Director of Football at Chelsea to lead the club to within a rain-affected whisker of winning the Champions League in a sodden Moscow before facing Roman’s axe-wielding wrath.
The Israeli’s short tenure was all the more impressive since he somehow dragged the club to contest the Premier League title to a nail-biting last day showdown - securing vital run-in victories over Manchester United and Arsenal in the process- despite dealing with a degree of anti-Semitic abuse from within his own club’s supporters.
A fairly successful spell as national coach of his country already attached to his CV, Grant will surely be back in the dugout soon. His appearance at Hearts’ pre-season defeat to St Pauli has ignited rumours he will replace Anatoli Korobochka as the club’s Sporting Director.
Jurgen Klinsmann
As Mike Skinner and the Streets once said, it was supposed to be so easy.
Herr Klinsmann’s arrival at the Allianz Arena in July 2008, with managerial reputation enhanced following his resurrection job on an ageing German side at the 2006 World Cup, was greeted as a poetic homecoming by the Bayern fans.
But within nine months, the former golden boy of German football was sacked following the European humiliation handed out by Messi and co in the Champions league quarter finals, in addition to the domestic woes inflicted by a resurgent Wolfsburg. In the BundAAAAsliga.
With a bruised reputation, where will the former Spurs, Sampdoria, Bayern, Inter, Monaco and Stuttgart legend hang his managerial hat next? Italy looks a possible bet but there have been rumours linking him with Manchester City, which have been refuted by the financial support Mark Hughes has received from his Middle Eastern backers. Perhaps a return to White Hart Lane could even be on his agenda?
Claudio Ranieri
Another victim of Roman Abramovitch’s managerial purges, sacked back in 2004 despite leading Chelsea to second position in the 2003-4 season after a huge outlay and setting the seeds of the side’s current spine of Cech, Terry and Lampard.
Ranieri finds himself back on the managerial scrapheap once again following his dismissal by Juventus, in part- ironically- for his failure to mastermind a victory over his former club in the second round of last season’s Champions League.
Michael Laudrup
Alongside Zinedine Zidane, Michael Laudrup was perhaps the most distinguished European players of the last twenty-five years, enjoying Serie A title success with Juventus, one European Cup and five La Liga titles with both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Revered for his stylish play and mercurial talent, Laudrup sampled initial success in his coaching career by leading Brondby to the Danish domestic double in 2005 before leaving to take charge of Getafe in La Liga.
Laudrup’s attacking style of football was evident in strengthening the Madrid club’s fortunes. Building upon Bernt Schuster’s good work, Laudrup leading them to the final of the Copa del Ray and quarter finals of the Uefa cup in his solitary season at the helm.
In September 2008, Laudrup became manager of Spartak Moscow but his managerial reign was cut short as he was sacked following just one season in Russian football.
Alan Curbishley
One does wonder how much longer ‘Curbs’ will settle for the comfortable confines of the Match of the Day studios for a seat back in the dugout, as the clock ticks on a year since his decision to leave his post at West Ham.
Persistent rumours linking the Londoner with Portsmouth, who now seem to have completed the drama concerning their middle eastern takeover, have cooled in recent weeks. If Paul Hart doesn’t start spending money soon, then Curbs is a likely outside bet should the new owners look to bring in their own man.
Steve Coppell
The thinking man’s manager (Coppell has a much touted degree Economics degree attained whilst plying his trade at, no less than, Manchester United), Coppell is currently enjoying a period out of the game following his failure to guide Reading back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
However, such is the standing of this two-time manager of the year amongst the football community, Coppell is unlikely to be without offers for an immediate return throughout the course of next season.
Marco van Basten
A stellar centre forward, Van Basten arguably stands alone as the doyen of European strikers throughout the 1980s and early 90s, winning the Ballon d’Or no less than three times. The peak of his powers came in 1992 when he was awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year award before his career was curtailed the following year whilst at Milan.
Forced out of the game at his peak, Van Basten made a headline- grabbing return to the game as the Dutch national team coach in 2004, reaching the 2006 World Cup after an unbeaten qualifying run. However, Portugal put paid to the Dutch hopes with victory in the last 16-knockout match.
Defeat by Russia in the quarter finals of Euro 2008 saw the end of Van Basten’s spell in charge as he left to take up the reigns at his first club, Ajax. But, after failure to qualify for the uefa Champions League, he resigned in May.
Strongly rumoured for Milan job, but Leonardo was considered first choice for the Rossinieri.
Gordon Strachan
The pint- sized Scotsman brought a period of sustained success to the green side of Glasgow, securing the Scottish title in three of the four seasons at the club before resigning at the end of last season.
His period north of the border enhanced what was an already solid reputation following his work at Coventry City and Southampton, who in his last full season in charge, led the club to an 8th place finish and an FA Cup final appearance in 2003, a feat all the more significant given their current predicament.
Rumours were abound that he could make a return to St Mary’s before Alan Pardew was appointed but it’s unlikely to be long before the wee man is back in the dug-out.
Bernd Schuster
Like Laudrup, Schuster had a stellar career in Spain as a player, notching up three la Liga titles with Barcelona (one) and Real Madrid (twice).
He also enjoyed significant success as a coach in Madrid too, leading Getafe to their highest league position of 7th and reaching the final of the Copa del Ray in 2006, defeating Barcelona in the semi-finals.
His exploits with the club saw him appointed manager of his former club at the Santiago Bernabeu in July 2007 and he duly responded by guiding the team to their highest points total in La Liga history as they were crowned champions. But the next season proved to be a total contrast as a rejuvenated Barcelona surged well clear by December when Schuster stepped down amidst rumours of an impending sacking.
Terry Venebles
A bit of a rogue choice in the list, but El Tel can never be discounted as a man called into the hot seat to help out a beleaguered club in need.
His spell as McClaren’s assistant as England boss didn’t go exactly to plan, but Venebles has always had his admirers due to the success he achieved with Crystal Palace (not the ill-fated spell under Mark Goldberg but back in the 1970’s as he led them to the first division) QPR, Barcelona (where he led Bernt Schuster amongst other to a La Liga title and European cup final appearance) and his survival job with Middlesbrough in 2003.