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Players who have done better as Managers in EURO History

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Several players who used to play in EURO have done better as he turned to a manager.

The UEFA EURO Championship is the world's second most well-known international tournament, following the FIFA World Cup. Making the cut in the EURO squad is an honour for any player, let alone getting a nod in the starting XI.

A number of footballers have represented their country in EURO on the pitch and in the dugout. However, not everyone succeeds in both roles. Some, such as Laurent Blanc and Frank Rijkaard, excelled as players rather than managers, while others thrived as managers. Only one name has performed well as both a player and a manager. Germany’s Bertie Vogts lifted the trophy as a player in the 1972 edition and clinched the title as a manager in EURO 1996.

In EURO 2024, some managers have a chance to make a finer mark as the team’s boss. There are Netherlands’ Ronald Koeman, France’s Didier Deschamps, and Switzerland’s Murat Yakin. It is the first chance for Koeman and Yakin to prove themselves as a gaffer, whereas Deschamps will have his third opportunity to follow Vogts’ footsteps. Meanwhile, England boss, Gareth Southgate has already proven himself a better figure as a manager. The former Middlesbrough boss only reached semifinal in EURO 1996 as a defender. He was notorious as the only one who missed the penalties against Germany leading to England’s devastating loss. Meanwhile, as a manager, he was able to lead Harry Kane and Co to the final in EURO 2020. It is their first ever final in major tournament since 1966 FIFA World Cup. Sadly, they lost again in the shootout. Southgate is bound to name his final squad after two friendly games in early June. 

Here are other figures who have been more successful as managers than as players in EURO history.

Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

The former Ukraine forward made his debut as a player in the 2012 edition when his country was a joint host. He was the skipper and played in three games. Shevchenko even bagged a winning brace in the opener while beating Sweden 2-1. Sadly, he was not able to lead his teammate to the round of 16.

Meanwhile, as a manager, Sheva surprisingly did better. In EURO 2020, the former AC Milan star managed to guide Ukraine to go further to the quarterfinals, despite only losing twice at the group stage. Olexander Zinchenko and Co. were able to knock out Sweden 2-1 in the round of 16. Unfortunately, they were hammered 4-0 by England.

Luis Enrique (Spain)

The current PSG boss made only two appearances in the first two matches during EURO 1996 and made no contribution at all throughout the competition. In fact, he was benched in the following two games versus Romania and England, in which Spain was beaten in the shootout and headed to exit in the round of eight.

However, when he was in charge of La Furia Roja in EURO 2020, Enrique did a lot better. Sergio Busquets and Co. reached the semifinals after eliminating Croatia and Switzerland at the knockout stage. They only suffered a loss on penalties against the eventual champions, Italy.

Vicente Del Bosque (Spain)

The World Cup-winning manager during the peak of Tiki Taka football was not the mainstay in Spain during their campaign in EURO 1980. He was fielded once only as asubstitute versus Belgium. La Furia Roja was then eliminated at the group stage.

When he returned to take over the reins of Spain for EURO 2012 as the World Champions, Del Bosque successfully defended their title after routing Italy 4-0 in the final. His starting XI in that tournament was well known for utilising Cesc Fabregas as a false nine, despite having Fernando Torres in the squad. His unusual tactic eventually paid off.

Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Last but not least, there was Roberto Mancini. He was a winning manager when Italy snatched a title in EURO 2020 as Gli Azzurri humiliated England at Wembley on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in 120 minutes. Mancini’s team’s road to the final was not the best compared to The Three Lions, as they only saw off Austria, Belgium, and Spain with narrow wins plus shootouts.

Yet, such was better than his time as a player in the late 1980s. The former Sampdoria star made the cut in the EURO 1988 squad and scored one at the opener when Italy shared spoils with the host, West Germany. He did play in all games during their campaign, which ended in the semifinals. Azeglio Vicini’s side slumped to a 2-0 defeat against the Soviet Union.


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