Didier Deschamps and Gareth Southgate Among Top 5 Managers to Watch at Euro 2024

The anticipation for the 2024 UEFA Euro tournament is reaching its peak, as some of football’s finest tacticians prepare to guide their teams to victory in this prestigious competition.

From seasoned veterans to recently appointed maestros, they all share a common goal: to make a significant impact at the tournament in Germany and perhaps even secure the ultimate prize.

While the road to the Henri Delaunay Trophy may appear daunting, history has proven that even underdogs can rise to the occasion, as exemplified by Otto Rehhagel's triumph with Greece in 2004.

As the tournament approaches, the spotlight is on these managers, who are eager to leave a lasting legacy at the continental tournament and etch their names in football history.

In light of this, Sports Brief highlights five of the most notable managers to watch at the 2024 UEFA Euro tournament.

Five best managers at the Euro tournament

1. Didier Deschamps - France

France's early exit from the 2020 Euro might have been a disappointment, but their performance in the previous edition does little to diminish their status as pre-tournament favourites.

With a squad boasting some of the finest players in the tournament, Les Bleus are led by one of the most accomplished managers in international football - Didier Deschamps.

Having been in charge since 2012, the 55-year-old has achieved remarkable success with the French national team. In addition to his triumph at the FIFA World Cup, Deschamps led France to the final of the 2016 Euro.

Deschamps' managerial accolades with his national team only lack the Euro tournament, and the 2018 World Cup winner is undoubtedly determined to add this to his list of achievements in Germany.

As one of just three individuals to have won the World Cup as both a player and manager, the French tactician would be aiming to emulate Germany's Berti Vogts by achieving the same feat at the Euros.

2. Luciano Spalletti - Italy

The defending champions are heading into the 2024 edition of the tournament with a new manager, following the unexpected resignation of former coach, Roberto Mancini, in the summer of 2023.

This decision by the 59-year-old means that Gli Azzurri will embark on their title defence with a new leader: Luciano Spalletti.

The 65-year-old was appointed manager shortly after guiding Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years during the 2022/23 season. His arrival promises to bring a fresh perspective to the team, and he is certainly a tactician to watch at the Euros.

The three-time Serie A Coach of the Year is renowned for his ability to secure titles wherever he goes, and he is expected to set up his team with an emphasis on attacking play.

Known for his tactical versatility, Spalletti often switches between the 4-3-3 formation and the 3-4-3 system with fluidity, adapting to the strengths of his squad.

So far, Spalletti has overseen five wins and two draws in his eight matches in charge of the Italian national side, with his side netting an impressive 17 goals in the process.

3. Roberto Martinez - Portugal

The Spanish manager is undoubtedly a tactician whose team setup many are eagerly anticipating at the Euro tournament.

The 50-year-old, who led Belgium to bronze at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is heading into his maiden major tournament with the Portuguese team after he was appointed to replace Fernando Santos in January 2023.

Known for his tactical fluidity, the former Belgian national manager often demonstrates versatility in how his teams shape up and their style of play.

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Martinez seems to favour a three-man defensive system. However, he has consistently shown that, regardless of tactics or formation, he knows how to maintain a high-octane attacking style of play.

During Portugal's qualification campaign for the Euros, Martinez oversaw an incredibly dominant performance. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates won all 10 games, scoring 36 goals and conceding just two.

4. Gareth Southgate - England

Often hailed as England's best manager since the legendary Alf Ramsey, Gareth Southgate enters the 2024 Euro with aspirations of surpassing his team's achievements in the 2020 tournament.

Since taking the helm in September 2016, he has overseen a remarkable transformation in the Three Lions. Despite facing criticism for his three-man defensive system, he guided England to fourth place in the World Cup and the final of the 2020 Euros.

The former Middlesbrough manager has also successfully addressed England's penalty shootout woes, which had plagued the team for decades.

Qualification has become routine under Southgate, with England comfortably topping Group C ahead of reigning European champions, Italy.

Every English fan's burning question is whether their team can secure the Euro title this time around - and their manager could be the one to make it happen.

5. Luis de la Fuente - Spain

The 62-year-old is another who has taken to responsibilities at the helm as manager of La Roja like a duck to water.

Despite most of his coaching experience coming at the age-grade level, the Spanish gaffer has wasted little time replicating his success at the senior level.

The 2023 UEFA Nations League winner has effectively implemented his incisive brand of possession-based football into the national team.

De la Fuente’s 4-3-3 approach with an element of a 'joker' card, often in the mode of Dani Olmo, sees him as one of the favourite managers to clinch the Euro title.

Since his appointment as manager of the team in January 2023, the former U20 coach has recorded nine victories and a draw in his 12 games in charge of the team.

Which records will fall at Euro 2024?