Five out-of-work managers waiting to swoop for top jobs

Though the season is in its infancy, there are already a number of club managers feeling the pressure. 

The same is true at international level, where results over the coming days could see federations make a change in order to get qualification campaigns back on track. 

Waiting in the wings for any vacancies are a clutch of successful tacticians looking for a job offer that will tempt them back to the dugout. 

Here, we take a look at five managerial heavyweights available for work.

Zinedine Zidane

No out-of-work manager has a CV that can compare with Zinedine Zidane, who won two LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies at Real Madrid. 

The 51-year-old has been without a job since his second spell in charge at the Bernabeu came to an end in 2021. 

Since then he has been linked with vacancies at Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and within the Saudi Pro League. 

He could resume work with the France national team, with whom he won the World Cup as a player in 1998. Didier Deschamps' reign as Les Bleus coach may conclude after Euro 2024.

Antonio Conte

When it comes to lifting silverware, there are few more successful than Antonio Conte. 

The Italian has won league titles with three different clubs, in two separate countries, during his spells with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan. 

His most recent job was at Tottenham and though it ended in a typically acrimonious manner last season, he did deliver a top-four spot in 2021-22. 

An eventual return to Serie A seems inevitable for Conte, leaving under-pressure coaches such as Roma boss Jose Mourinho and Juve manager Max Allegri sweating. 

Graham Potter

Graham Potter is another former Chelsea manager waiting for his next job opportunity. 

The Englishman's stock took a major nosedive during his disastrous seven-month reign with the Blues. 

Yet Potter remains in demand and it has been reported that he has recently turned down a chance to return to management with Lyon. 

The 48-year-old is sure to be in the frame for any Premier League vacancies this season and would also be a contender for the England job should Gareth Southgate leave next summer. 

Julen Lopetegui

After being turned down by Potter, Lyon have subsequently been linked with a move for Julen Lopetegui. 

It has been a rollercoaster few years for the Spanish coach, who suffered humiliation when he was sacked by both Spain and Real Madrid within five months in 2018.

He rebuilt his career at Sevilla by winning the Europa League and after being dismissed in 2022 he further boosted his reputation by steering Wolves to a 13th-place finish. 

Lopetegui's decision to leave the Midlands club looks wise, with the Ligue 1 job now a possibility and an eventual return to LaLiga another option. 

Julian Nagelsmann

Like Lopetegui, former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has not had to wait long for job offers. 

Since leaving Bavaria last March, the 36-year-old has held talks over the vacancies at Spurs, Chelsea and PSG without reaching an agreement. 

More recently, he has been linked with a possible move to Borussia Dortmund, where Edin Terzic is feeling the heat.

Nagelsmann is also a leading contender to become the manager of the German national team, with Hansi Flick under pressure ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil next year.