5 World Class Players Who Became Horrible Coaches As Birmingham Sack Wayne Rooney

• Diego Maradona of blessed memory headlines a list of football greats who failed as coaches
• A high number of players of such ilk are yet to replicate their on-pitch success in the dugout
• Here is a compilation of a list of footballers-turned-managers who are struggling

Making the shift from a footballer to a coach seems logical, but for many world-class players, it's a tougher leap than expected.

Legendary names like Diego Maradona and Frank Lampard celebrated for their on-field brilliance, faced challenges in management that have presumably overshadowed their playing careers.

Sports Brief examines five exceptional footballers whose managerial careers took a dismal turn based on their less-than-stellar results.

1. Diego Maradona

Unquestionably, one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the sport, Diego Armando Maradona, of blessed memory, was a delight to watch during his playing days.

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Stories of his iconic "hand of God" goal at the 1986 FIFA World Cup continue to resonate among football aficionados, underscoring his on-field prowess.

However, despite being a genius with the ball at his feet, Maradona failed to translate that into the dugout. His performance from the touchline was a far cry from his days on the pitch.

The highlight of his coaching career was during his stint as head coach of Argentina, leading his home nation to the 2010 World Cup only to suffer a humiliating exit at the hands of Germany.

2. Frank Lampard

A midfield maestro in his prime, the former England international boasts a glittering playing career, having secured almost every possible club-level trophy and even clinching the second spot in the 2005 Ballon d'Or ranking, just behind Ronaldinho Gaucho.

While his on-field achievements were stellar, there remains a blemish—a failure to guide the Three Lions to international glory since their 1966 triumph. Nonetheless, Lampard was a midfield marvel.

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Transitioning to coaching post-retirement, Lampard's coaching journey has been far from smooth. According to Transfermarkt, the 45-year-old has faced defeat a staggering 73 times in 196 games, averaging 1.47 points per game.

In his brief coaching stints, Super Frankie has managed his beloved Blues twice, Everton, and Derby County.

3. Wayne Rooney

Unsurprisingly, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney makes this list, largely due to his unsuccessful spell as a football manager.

Despite his managerial stats painting a bleak picture, the 38-year-old was a footballing force in his prime, boasting numerous goal-scoring records and a collection of titles to his name.

Nevertheless, he joins the ranks of elite footballers struggling to master the coaching realm.

His recent dismissal from Birmingham City—just 83 days after his appointment—adds to his coaching setbacks, leaving him reeling from the blow.

Rooney acknowledged that this recent setback has deeply affected him and will require time for recovery, per France24.

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4. Steven Gerrard

One of the stardust players from England's Golden Generation in the early 2000s, Steven Gerrard, has had a mixed bag of outcomes compared to the majority of his compatriots on this list.

The iconic Liverpool figure initially began his coaching journey as a youth team coach for the Merseyside club before taking on the challenge of first-team coaching at Rangers, a renowned Scottish club.

In his third complete season as manager, Gerrard led Rangers to an unbeaten league run, securing the club's first league title in a decade.

Despite his success, his move to Aston Villa in the Premier League lasted only 11 months before his departure.

Presently, with Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, the 43-year-old faces challenges; his team, The Commandos, have struggled, notching up 13 winless games (7 draws and 6 losses) in 19 outings in the Saudi top flight.

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According to talkSPORT, his tenure might be at risk if Ettifaq fails to turn their fortunes around when the league recommences in February.

5. Alan Shearer

Apologies, but what's with English players transitioning into coaching? The greatest goal-scorer in Premier League history even struggled as a manager.

Alan Shearer took on the daunting task of rescuing his hometown club, Newcastle United, from Premier League relegation, Goal Studio reports.

Shearer's appointment brought hope to the Magpies, given his record as their all-time top scorer. Sadly, his managerial tenure didn't yield the expected results.

In the 2009 season's final eight games, Newcastle anticipated Shearer's arrival to ignite a surge. However, the team only secured eight points in those matches, resulting in their relegation to the Championship.

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