The Most Daring Journeyman Managers in History

 

Not many gaffers opt to roam around the world to become journeyman managers in their careers and gain fair success. 

Being a football manager, just like any other profession, needs a challenge to push the limit in their career, be it for the silverware, more noble missions like developing football in the remote countries, or simply for an adventure. It is quite rare to find one recently and thrive, especially at the top level. 

One of the few such figures is probably Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese boss has currently signed for the post in Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. It would be a challenge as well as an honour for him to lead Cristiano Ronaldo, something that he never had during his stints in Europe. Jesus mainly spent his career in his home soil and Turkey before venturing to South America and winning the prestigious title, Copa Libertadores 2019, with Flamengo. He is one of the few European gaffers who managed to do so.

However, his experience in three continents, or confederations, is probably nothing compared to these renowned yet forgotten names who had been working in four or five regions or confederations. 

Ljubisa Brocic 

 He was one of the early journeyman managers in history with stints in the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Asia, apart from Europe surely. Brocic began his managerial career with the Albanian national team in 1946. Then he ventured into his home soil and took charge of three teams, OFK Belgrade, Vojvodina, and Red Star Belgrade, for which he won two league titles.

The Guca-born gaffer then left Europe for the Middle East by signing for the Egypt national team in the mid-1950s before switching sides to Lebanon. Surprisingly, he made his return to Europe and was named the manager of PSV Eindhoven in summer 1956. That was the time when he made his mark at the top level.

Despite his trophyless campaign in Eindhoven, Brocic attracted Juventus to sign him in the following season. The Serbian boss was even able to deliver a Serie A trophy for the Italian giant in 1958 but was dismissed in the second season due to their humiliating loss against the Austrian side, Wiener Sportklub, in the 1959 European Cup.

Fortunately, PSV welcomed him back in summer 1959 and managed to improve their position compared to his first stint there. He was able to lead them to finish third in Eredivisie. Such led him to the opportunity to be at the helm of the star-studded La Liga side, Barcelona, for the 1960/61 campaign.

His spell in Catalan was, unfortunately, cut short in January 1961 due to a series of negative results. Nevertheless, he left a positive mark as Brocic managed to eliminate their archrival, Real Madrid, in the second round of the European Cup. It was Los Blancos’s first early exit after lifting the trophy five times in a row.

In his later career following his failure in Spain, the Serbian boss moved to Asia and Oceania. He was appointed to be at the helm of the Kuwait and New Zealand national teams twice, plus took charge of Australia’s South Melbourne Hellas, the Bahrain national team, and two Saudi Pro League teams, Al Nassr and Al Hilal. His best achievement there was clinching the Gulf Cup title with Kuwait twice, plus two domestic cups with Al Nassr in 1976.

Confederation/ region	Teams	Best Result
UEFA	Albania, OFK Belgrade, Vojvodina, Red Star Belgrade, PSV Eindhoven, Juventus, Barcelona, Tenerife	Italian Serie A 1958 (Juventus)
CAF	Egypt	-
AFC	Racing Beirut, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Al Nassr, Al Hilal	Gulf Cup 1972 and 1974 (Kuwait)
OFC	New Zealand, South Melbourne Hellas	Second round in 1970 FIFA World Cup qualifier (NZL)

 

Sven Goran Eriksson

 The Swedish boss was known for his success in Italy, Portugal and his home soil for the continental titles and Serie A victory with Lazio. He snatched UEFA Cup title with IFK Goteborg 1982, making them their first Nordic team to lift the trophy in Europe, and Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup 1999 with Biancoceleste. They remain Lazio’s two continental silverware to date.

However, his unimpressive stints in England national team and Manchester City led him to roam for new challenge outside Europe. He had spells with Mexico and Ivory Coast national team before a brief return to Leicester City in the Championship. Eriksson’s career ended up in Asia with Phillipines as his last team in his managerial career. His most notable achievement there was leading the South East Asian minnow to make their debut in 2019 Asian Cup.

Confederation/ region	Teams	Best Result
UEFA	Degerfors IF, IFK Goteborg, Benfica, AS Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, England, Manchester City, Leicester City	UEFA Cup 1982 (IFK Goteborg), UCL 1990 runner up (Benfica), UEFA Winners Cup, UEFA Super Cup 1999, Italian Serie A 2000 (Lazio)
CONCACAF	Mexico	-
CAF	Ivory Coast	2010 FIFA World Cup group stage
AFC	Guangzhou R&F, Shanghai SIPG, Phillipines	2019 Asian Cup debut (Phillipines)

 

Dettmar Cramer

 He was the former assistant of Helmut Schon, the German world cup winning manager, in 1966 FIFA World Cup when they reached the final but suffered a 4-2 defeat against the host England. Yet, he was more widely recognized for his role in global football development.

His first task was in Japan back in 1960-1963. Cramer was then sent to the Far East by DFB, his employer, and helped football development in Japan from training coaches, founding the first national league and improving national team performance. Japan’s success in securing bronze medal in 1968 Summer Olympic in Mexico City, was one of his legacy in Japanese football. It also remains The Blue Samurai’s one of their best results in international football to date. No wonder that he has been considered the founding father of football in the country.

Cramer’s career was not only at the grassroots or low level, but also at the top level. He was at the helm of Bayern Munich when they defended the European Cup in 1975 and 1976, plus clinched Intercontinental Cup in the latter year. He also guided Bayer Leverkusen to finish seventh in 1983/84 season.

Prior to his spell in Munich, he was at the helm of Egypt national team and was as a matter of fact offered by USSF to lead the USMNT for four years. Yet, such did not come to fruition as he was never given a written contract by the US soccer federation. Consequently, he only served them briefly in two friendly matches.

In his latter years, the Dortmund-born gaffer spent his years in Asia by taking charge of Malaysia, South Korea U23 and Thailand before retiring on his home soil. Cramer also had stints in Saudi Arabia national team and Al Ittihad in late 1980s.

Confederation/ region	Teams	Best Result
UEFA	Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Aris Thessaloniki, Bayer Leverkusen	European Cup 1975, 1976 and Intercontinental Cup 1976 (Bayern)
CONCACAF	USA	-
CAF	Egypt	1974 AFCON third place
AFC	Japan, Saudi Arabia, Al Ittihad, Malaysia, South Korea U23, Thailand	Bronze medal in 1968 summer Olympics (Japan)

 Carlos Alberto Parreira

The Brazilian boss is one of the two managers who led five different nations in five FIFA World Cup editions. Strangely, his first managerial career began in Africa, as he was in charge of the Ghana national team from October 1967 to August 1968. Parreira was at the helm of the Black Stars in AFCON 1968 as they reached the final. Sadly, they were beaten by Congo in the summit.

His stints in his own home soil started off afterwards when he was named Fluminense boss in 1974. However, he did not really thrive until his third spell with them ten years later by winning the league title. Yet, prior to that, Parreira was already given a chance to take up the Selecao job for Copa America 1983. In his first tenure with Canarinha, he was able to bring them to the final, only to suffer a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay.

His second spell with Brazil was surely the most memorable one, as he led Romario and Co. to win their fourth World Cup title as well as end their title drought since Pele’s team in 1970. Although he opted not to prioritise the attractive jogo bonito in his team and rely more on the pragmatic European approach, Brazil managed to shine with slightly entertaining football, mainly from their dynamic duo upfront, Romario and Bebeto.

Parreira’s tenure in Asia was fairly successful too. The Rio-born managed to lead Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to qualify for the 1982, 1990, and 1998 FIFA World Cup final rounds, respectively. Despite their dismal winless results at the group stage, he remained a considerable option for CBF to hire in the time of crisis. Such was proven when he was named the third time to guide Brazil ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The former Atletico Mineiro and Corinthians boss even delivered two silverwares prior to Germany 2006. Selecao clinched Copa America 2004 and Confederation Cup 2005 under his tutelage, making them the pre-tournament favourite. Sadly, such meant nothing in the following year, as Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinal at the hand of France.

His success at the international level did not guarantee similar results in Europe. Parreira struggled to impress when he was at the helm of La Liga side Valencia in the 1994/95 season. Despite some remarkable form, like beating Real Madrid 2-1 and holding Johan Cryuff’s Barcelona to a goalless draw on the road, Los Ches only finished 10th at the end of their campaign. Yet, his spell in Fenerbahce was better since he brought the Turkish outfit to league glory in the following season.

His brief stint with MLS’s NY Metrostars was disappointing too, as they failed to qualify for the playoffs by sitting at the bottom of the table. Clearly, the club level did not really suit him well.

Confederation/ region	Teams	Best Result
CONMEBOL	Brazil, Fluminense, Sao Paulo, Corinthians, Internacional, Santos, Atletico Mineiro	1994 FIFA World Cup, Copa America 2004
UEFA	Valencia, Fenerbahce	Turkish league 1996
CAF	Ghana, South Africa	1968 AFCON runner up
AFC	Kuwait, UEA, Saudi Arabia	Asian Cup 1980 (Kuwait) 1982, 1990 and 1998 FIFA World Cup group stage
CONCACAF	New York Metrostars	-

 

Bora Milutinovic

 The Serbian boss was the first manager who led five different team to five FIFA World Cup editions. He was known for as the ‘miracle worker’ due to his achievement in guiding his minnow side to stun the established team in the global stage.

Bora began his managerial career in the last club during his playing years, UNAM. He had the longest spell as a manager there by taking charge of the team from 1977 to 1983, and clinched MX league title in 1981, CONCACAF Champions Cup twice and Copa Interamericana.

However, his next team to lead was Mexico national team in 1986 FIFA World Cup. Bora proved his worth after leading Hugo Sanchez and Co to the quarterfinal, losing to Germany only on penalties after a goalless draw. Such remains their best result in world cup history to date. Unfortunately, his second spell with El Sombrero did not end at global stage. The former midfielder only managed to guide them to the semifinal in Copa America 1997 and lift CONCACAF Gold Cup trophy in 1996.

Bora carried on stunning the world with different CONCACAF teams in the World Cup during 1990s. He surprisingly guided Costa Rica to progress to the second round after crushing Scotland and Sweden at the group stage before stumbling to a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil. Sadly, they failed to ease past Czechoslovakia in the round of 16. In USA 1994, he was at the helm of the host and inspired USMNT’s positive campaign by holding Switzerland in a 1-1 draw and thumping Colombia 2-1. Eric Wynalda and Co only suffered a 1-0 defeat against the eventual champion, Brazil.

In France 1998, Bora was named Nigeria boss and had luxury of top African players in the squad. He helped Super Eagles pick up a historic 3-2 win over Spain at the opener plus thumped Hristo Stoichkov’s Bulgaria 1-0, which was enough to eliminate both of their European counterparts in the preliminary rounds. Sadly, Jay Jay Okocha and Co could not replicate their stunning form in the following two games against Paraguay and Denmark in the round of 16. They lost in both fixtures and conceded 7 goals with only scoring twice in return.

Meanwhile, Bora’s attempt to replicate his previous miraculous work in Asia did not exactly come to reality. In Japan-Korea 2002 FIFA World Cup, he did manage to lead China national team to make their debut but their lack of experience at the top level created too big gap with the other teams. China could not score a single goal and suffered three humiliating defeat, including against the eventual winner, Brazil.

The Serbian gaffer’s last attempt with Iraq in 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup ended up in failure too. Younis Mahmoud and Co were winless and once again scoreless in the competition, although they did only suffer a narrow 1-0 defeat while taking on Spain.

The only time Bora failed to impress at all was during his brief stint in South America and Europe. He was only at the helm of San Lorenzo and Udinese with less than 10 games in each team back in 1987. His San Lorenzo side, with Jose Luis Chilavert in the team, was actually unbeaten with four wins and four draws but somehow he left the post to join Udinese when they were still at the second division, or Serie B. Unfortunately, it proved to be a blunder as he was dismissed after only nine games in charge, six of them ended in a defeat.

Confederation/ region	Teams	Best Result
UEFA	Udinese	-
CONMEBOL	San Lorenzo	-
CAF	Nigeria,	1998 FIFA World Cup second round
AFC	China, Iraq, Al Sadd	Qualified to 2002 FIFA World Cup (China)
CONCACAF	UNAM, Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Veracruz, Tecos UAG, Honduras, Jamaica, New York Metrostars	CONCACAF Champions Cup 1980, 1982 (UNAM), 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal (Mexico)

 Rudy Gutendorf

His name was probably rather unknown at the top level but he is the record holder in football management. Gutendorf had been in charge of the most teams in six confederations throughout his career with 55 teams in total from all over the globe. In short, he is the true journeyman manager.

His most memorable stints were quite intriguing, from silverware to the dark side of football and even the history. In terms of sporting achievement, Gutendorf gained success in his early years when he clinched Swiss Cup title with FC Luzern in 1960, two years after leading them to their promotion to the top flight. He also guided MSV Duisburg and Schalke to be the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal runner up in 1964 and 1969 respectively.

Meanwhile, in terms of beyond football, the former TuS Nuendorf man could not definitely forget his time in Chile, Nepal, and Rwanda. In Chile, he witnessed the rise of military regime, Augusto Pinochet in early 1970s and could be the next target of assassination due to his proximity with Pinochet’s predecessor, Salvador Allende. He was also once involved in a romantic affair with the presumably CIA agent, who was eventually brutally shot while she was in bed with him.

Then, in Nepal, he was once bribed by Kuwaiti royal family for $ 500,000 to let his team lose 8-0 in the Asian Games 1986 but rejected it despite initially interested. Then, in 1999, he was at the helm of Rwanda, in the midst of deadly tribal conflict between Hutu and Tutsi, the Koblenz-born gaffer was able to unite both side in the team consisting of 50:50 from each tribe for the sake of football. He managed to inspire the moment of peace amid temporarily. 

Confederation/ region	Teams	Best Result
UEFA	FC Luzern, Blue Stars Zurich, MSV Duisburg, Schalke 04, Vfb Stuttgart, Kickers Offenbach, 1960 Munich, Fortuna Koln, Tennis Berlin, Real Valladolid, Hertha Berlin, Hamburg SV	Bundesliga runner up 1964 (Duisburg)
CONMEBOL	Chile, Sporting Cristal, Bolivia, Venezuela	-
CAF	US Monatsir, Bostwana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mauritius, Sao Tome & Principe, Ghana	-
AFC	Youmuri Verdy, Nepal, Iran, China,
CONCACAF	St Louis Stars, Bermuda, Tonga, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda
OFC	Australia (1980s), Fiji, New Caledonia