Where Thomas Tuchel ranks in highest-paid international managers in the world

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International management is different in several areas from club football, with that showing in plenty of areas.

With short training camps and irregular meetings with players, it’s clear just how stop-start that area of the sport is.

With the 2026 World Cup coming up, nations across the world are gearing up for a chance to lift the trophy.

Some have shelled out plenty to get some managers in who can bring them glory.

So, with that said, here’s a look at the top ten highest-paid head coaches in international management, as per Gazetta dello Sport.

10 – Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) – £2 million

Current world champions Argentina are managed by Lionel Scaloni, who guided them to success back in 2022.

The former West Ham loanee will be looking to do the same during the 2026 World Cup, with the title defence underway.

9 – Gustavo Alfaro (Paraguay) – £2.2 million

Gustavo Alfaro has plenty of experience in management, with a move to the international stage seeing him take charge of Ecuador and Costa Rica.

Now with Paraguay, qualification has been sealed for the World Cup, as they look to make an impression.

8 – Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – £2.6 million

This is now Ronald Koeman’s second spell as the head coach of the Netherlands national team, having been in the position since 2023.

2022 saw the Dutch side get knocked out in the quarter-finals, but the former Everton and Southampton boss will be looking to replicate their run from 2010 that saw a World Cup final appearance.

7 – Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – £3 million

Marcelo Bielsa is thought of as a legendary manager for how he has implemented his football philosophy with many different teams.

Having already experienced international football with Argentina, the ex-Leeds boss is now with Uruguay, where he has been in charge since 2023.

6 – Didier Deschamps (France) – £3.3 million

Didier Deschamps has been one of the longest-serving managers on the international stage, taking charge of France in 2012.

In that time, he has won a World Cup and a UEFA Nations League, with a few final defeats thrown in there too.

5 – Roberto Martinez (Portugal) – £3.5 million

Roberto Martinez is known for his work in the Premier League with Swansea, Wigan and Everton, but he traded the club stage for international football in 2016.

The Spanish coach originally took up the job with the Belgian national team, staying there for six years, before he joined the Portugal setup in 2023.

4 – Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan) – £3.5 million

The legendary Fabio Cannavaro has stepped into management, with a career that involves plenty of different experiences.

The latest has seen him join Uzbekistan in early October, looking to help improve results for them.

3 – Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – £4.3 million

After his dismissal from Bayern Munich in 2023, Julian Nagelsmann moved back into management with the German national team.

He guided them to the quarter-finals of a home European Championships in 2024, and is aiming to bring back a first World Cup since 2014, after consecutive group stage exits.

2 – Thomas Tuchel (England) – £5.1 million

The second-highest paid manager in international management is Thomas Tuchel.

The former Chelsea, PSG, and Bayern Munich boss took the plunge into international management in 2025, taking over as England manager.

The 2026 World Cup offers a chance to end 60 years without a major trophy for the men’s senior side.

1 – Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil) – £8.2 million

Ranking as the most expensive coach in international football is Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian manager took over the Brazilian national team in 2025, following the end of his spell with Real Madrid.

Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002, and have only reached the quarter-finals in the previous two competitions.