Two good, two bad: Players who returned to clubs as managers | OneFootball

It may be a wonderful story but it doesn’t happen all that often. Players don’t want to ruin their legacies, better managers are usually available and more often than not, the weight of expectation simply isn’t worth it.

We’ve picked out two good and two bad examples of players returning to former clubs as managers, so Thierry, take some notes!

Two good

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is widely considered as one of the most influential footballers ever and still boasts a significant influence on the game despite his untimely passing in March 2016.

Starting his managerial career with boyhood club Ajax in 1985, he implemented a strong focus on attacking football, positional versatility and promoting youth – philosophies that are still ingrained at the club today. During his three seasons in charge, the Amsterdam born midfielder won two domestic cups and one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup before leaving for Barcelona.

His time at Camp Nou was even more successful, winning four consecutive LaLiga titles, five domestic cups and three European cups between 1988-1996 with a dream team featuring the likes of Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup, Romario and Hristo Stoichkov.

Pep Guardiola

A love story born and bred in Catalunya, Pep Guardiola enjoyed 28 accomplished years at Barcelona progressing from La Masia graduate, to first team player, to manager.

After calling time on his professional career in 2007, he was appointed Barça B manager before taking charge of the first team just twelve months later. During his four year spell in the hot seat, Pep guided his boyhood club to 14 trophies – including an unrivalled sextuple in 2009.

He left Camp Nou having revolutionised modern football, building arguably the greatest domestic side ever, featuring the likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Two bad

Jupp Heynckes

Jupp Heynckes spent all but three seasons of his playing career with Borussia Mönchengladbach, scoring a ridiculous 218 goals in 308 games in arguably their most successful period ever.

Following his retirement, Heynckes took over as Gladbach boss in 1979 and got them to a UEFA Cup final – which they lost. Six trophy-less seasons followed at his hometown club, but the former striker was named “the champion without a title” as his legend status was reserved.

He had a second stint with Die Fohlen in 2006 but after 14 consecutive Bundesliga matches without a win, he resigned just five months into the season. The club were relegated at the end of the season.

Alan Shearer

When it comes to Newcastle United, there aren’t many figures more recognisable or more revered than Alan Shearer. With 206 goals in 395 appearances, the Gosforth born striker sits above Jackie Milburn as the club’s record goalscorer.

On April 1st 2009, it was announced that Shearer would take charge of his former club in a bid to avoid relegation following the departure of then head coach Chris Hughton. But this was no April Fool’s Joke.

Not even their iconic number nine could inspire much change on the pitch, winning just one of his eight matches in charge as the Magpies were relegated to the second tier of English football.