The Managers who have taken charge both Archrivals in the European Top Leagues

 

A number of well-known managers have been in a unique situation by being at the helm of both archrival sides.

Each league in the world, whether in Europe or South America, always has two teams that have been involved in a long, heated rivalry. Some even had turned ugly as the diehard fans could be dangerous fanatics off the pitch to show their support to their team.

The likes of El Clásico, Argentina’s Superclásico, or Scotland’s Old Firm derby are examples of such rivalries. Their fans could become brutal should they find their star cutting ties with their team and joining their archrival. Perhaps the most notorious one was Luis Figo’s move from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000. He had to taste the Catalan fans’ fury in his first return to Camp Nou as a pig’s head was thrown nearby him just before his corner kick.

The tale of a player in-between such vengeful rivalry is probably more well-known and exposed to the media than the managers. There have been gaffers who have been on both sides of the archrivals.

Nico Kovac is the latest one to join the club. The Croatian boss has been recently named Borussia Dortmund’s new manager. His notable experience in Bundesliga, including his brief spellwith Bayern, seems to be heavily considered by the top brass in Westfalen to improve their domestic campaign. Die Borussen is currently sitting in 11th place. It will be interesting to see how he leads Julian Brandt and Co. in the next Der Klassiker as he returns to Allianz Arena on April 25.

Here are the other bosses who have experienced such unusual situation in their career in the top leagues.

Ronald Koeman (Ajax & Feyenoord)

The current Netherlands boss is the only Dutch manager who has been at the helm of two Eredivisie archrivals, Ajax and Feyenoord, plus another giant, PSV. He took charge of Der Amsterdammers first from 2001 to 2005, resulting in two league titles and the KNVB Cup. 

However, his stint in Rotterdam from 2011 to 2014 did not leave any memorable note nor deliver a single silverware. Although he was not really dismissed from his post, the former Dutch defender in the 1980s to mid-1990s only managed to guide them to finish second twice. 

 Koeman eventually opted to leave De Kuip to pursue a new challenge in the Premier League by signing for Southampton. It was the beginning of his return to the spotlight as a manager, which led to a chance to take charge of his former club, Barcelona, and De Oranje. 

Enrique Fernandez and Radomir Antic (Real Madrid & Barcelona)

Enrique Fernandez was the first manager who had been the in-betweener in El Clasico. The ex-forward led the Catalan side first from 1947 to 1950 and delivered two La Liga trophies in 1948 and 1949 plus the Latin Cup in the latter year. The Uruguayan boss was then appointed to lead Real Madrid for the 1953/54 campaign and snatched their first league title since 1933. Sadly, he was succeeded by Jose Villalonga in the following season after only 13 matches.

Fernandez’s rare footstep was followed by Radomir Antic. The former Serbia boss in the 2010 FIFA World Cup was more famous for his success with Atletico Madrid in the mid-1990s than any of his spells with two El Clasico archrivals. Unlike his predecessor, he failed to deliver silverware for both sides. Antic was at the helm of Hugo Sanchez and Co. from March 1991 to January 1992, with a 3rd place as his best finish.

His second season was actually more promising as he brought Los Merengues to the top of the table. Yet, he was replaced in the middle of the 1991/92 campaign due to his lack of an offensive approach in the game. Such turned out to be a blunder, as his successor, Leo Beenhakker, was unable to maintain their form and eventually lost their place to Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona in the end. 

Antic’s stint in Blaugrana did not come until nine years later. He was named as a caretaker in the 2002/2003 campaign following the sacking of Louis Van Gaal. The former defender was able to steady the ship and guide them to finish sixth in La Liga. Unfortunately, their continental campaign came to an end in the UCL quarterfinal following their 2-1 home defeat to Juventus. 

Antonio Conte, Marcelo Lippi, and Giovanni Trappatoni (Juventus & Inter Milan)

In Italy, the long-time rivals Juventus and Inter Milan turned out to have three former Gli Azzurri bosses in between. Mr. Trap is the most successful one, followed by Conte, and surprisingly, the World Cup winner, Marcelo Lippi, had the worst spell. 

Trapattoni was known for his club success more than his stint on the international stage. He was at the helm of Juventus twice. In his first stint, from 1976 to 1986, he enjoyed trophy-laden years with six league titles, two Coppa Italia titles, and all continental silverware from UEFA Cup (1977), Winners Cup (1984), European Cup (1985), UEFA Super Cup (1984), and Intercontinental Cup (1985). His second spell (1991-1994) was not so glamorous as La Vecchia Signora only managed to clinch one title, UEFA Cup 1993. Meanwhile, his time in Nerazzurri (1986 to 1991) was fairly memorable too. Mr. Trap managed to snatch Serie A title in 1989 and UEFA Cup 1991 for Lothar Matthäus and Co. 

Marcello Lippi, however, was more successful with Juventus and the Italy national team than with Internazionale. Like his predecessor, Lippi had two stints with the Old Lady (1994 to 1998 and 2001 to 2004). He lifted league trophies three times, Coppa Italia once, plus the Champions League and Intercontinental Cup in 1996. The former Napoli boss also guided them to UCL finals three times before eventually helping his nation clinch their fourth and last World Cup title to date in 2006. 

His tenure in Inter, however, ended disappointingly. Lippi only managed to get them to finish fourth in 2000 and failed to progress to the UCL 2001 group stage after suffering an unlikely loss to Sweden’s Helsingborg in the playoff. He was soon dismissed after the Serie A opener in the 2000/01 campaign. 

Lippi’s former player, Antonio Conte, has done better for both sides. He was the one who began Juventus’ return to Serie A domination in 2012, plus clinching two more league titles. The ex-midfielder was also the gaffer who ended La Vecchia Signora’s domestic nine-year run by delivering a league title for Inter Milan in 2021. Previously, he also brought Lautaro Martinez and Co. to the Europa League final in 2020. 

Tomislav Ivic (PSG and Olympique Marseille)

The legendary Croatian manager is the one who meddled with Le Classique rivals, PSG and Olympique Marseille. He was first in charge of Le Parisien for two seasons, from 1988 to 1990, being the runner-up to his future employer in his first year at Parc des Princes as his best achievement. 

Ivic’s tenure in Marseille was more on and off. He first came to Stade Velodrome in summer 1991, when he was at the helm of the team for only 13 games due to the return of Raymond Goethals to the sideline. His second spell came ten years later as he was called up to save OM from relegation in 2000/01. The former FC Porto and Ajax boss left the club only to return at the beginning of the 2001/02 campaign.Nevertheless, he only stayed for 11 games from September to November 2001.