Carlo Ancelotti is the best-paid national team coach in world football, earning a staggering €10 million a year with Brazil — a full €3 million clear of his nearest rival.
Transfermarkt's ranking of the world's highest-paid international managers, published this week, puts the Brazilian federation's marquee appointment well out in front, underlining the extraordinary sums now being spent at the very top of the international game.
Ancelotti stands alone
Ancelotti took charge of Brazil last year after leaving Real Madrid, and the Brazilian Football Confederation spared no expense to land the most decorated coach in Champions League history. His €10m annual deal makes him the only international boss in eight figures — a gap that lays bare the financial divide between Brazil and the rest.
Second place goes to Germany's Jürgen Klopp, who pockets €7 million a year from the DFB. According to Bild's figures, Klopp earns roughly half of what he could command at club level, but the former Liverpool manager's international appointment remains one of the most lucrative contracts in the sport.
Pochettino and Tuchel cash in
Third on the list is Mauricio Pochettino, who earns €6.8 million a year as head coach of the United States. The Argentine's deal reflects US Soccer's ambition ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which they co-hosted, and his stock has only risen since.
England's Thomas Tuchel follows on €6 million. The FA made Tuchel the highest-paid England manager of the modern era when they lured him from club football, and the German's salary puts him ahead of most of his international counterparts.
Spain's Luis de la Fuente completes the top five on €5 million a year. Bild reports the world and European champion's salary rose from €2 million to €5 million after Spain's 2026 World Cup triumph — though he still earns less than half of what Ancelotti takes home.
The Scaloni paradox
The most striking detail in the ranking is the modest standing of Lionel Scaloni. The Argentina boss, one of international football's most successful coaches in history, sits ninth on just €2.3 million a year — less than a quarter of Ancelotti's salary.
Scaloni has won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América with Argentina, and took them to the 2026 World Cup final. He initially took charge in 2018 with limited senior managerial experience, so his original contract reflected his status at the time — but the reported salary has apparently never caught up with his transformation into one of the most decorated coaches on the planet.
Portugal's Jorge Jesus (€4 million), France's Zinedine Zidane (€3.6 million), the Netherlands' Xavi (€3 million) and Austria's Ralf Rangnick (€2 million) complete the top ten.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Ancelotti's €10 million Brazil deal sets him apart at the summit, but the real story is the Scaloni paradox — the most decorated coach on the list earns barely a fifth of the man at the top. Money, it seems, does not always follow medals.
Does Scaloni deserve to be the world's best-paid coach? Tell us where you would rank him.
