Top 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Managers After Mikel Arteta's New Arsenal Deal

The gap between the wealthiest soccer clubs and others keeps widening, and this trend is clearly visible in the salaries paid to top managers. Teams either want to hold on to their star coaches or attract those from rival big clubs by offering bigger paychecks.

Mikel Arteta recently signed a new contract with Arsenal that reportedly includes a significant salary boost, placing him among the world's highest-paid club managers.

Who Earns the Most?

Currently, Simone Inzaghi of Al Hilal leads the pack as the highest-paid soccer manager globally, earning an impressive €26 million annually (£22.3 million / $29.8 million). The Saudi club secured his services from Inter Milan with this lucrative deal.

Diego Simeone, who used to top this list, now ranks second after accepting a pay cut in 2023 to help Atletico Madrid manage finances. Having served the club for 13 years, Simeone is highly respected, boasting eight trophies including two La Liga championships and two UEFA Champions League finals appearances.

The third spot belongs to PSG head coach Luis Enrique, who recently signed a new contract with a substantial pay rise.

• Rank: 1
• Manager: Simone Inzaghi
• Club: Al Hilal
• Salary (gross): £22.3m / $29.8m
• Contract until: July 2027

• Rank: 2
• Manager: Diego Simeone
• Club: Atletico Madrid
• Salary (gross): £20.1m / $26.8m
• Contract until: July 2027

• Rank: 3
• Manager: Luis Enrique
• Club: PSG
• Salary (gross): £17.2m / $22.9m
• Contract until: July 2030

• Rank: 4
• Manager: Mikel Arteta
• Club: Arsenal
• Salary (gross): £15m / $20m*
• Contract until: July 2030*

• Rank: 5
• Manager: Oliver Glasner
• Club: Nottingham Forest
• Salary (gross): £13m / $17.4m
• Contract until: July 2029

• Rank: 6
• Manager: Jose Mourinho
• Club: Real Madrid
• Salary (gross): £12m / $16m
• Contract until: July 2029

• Rank: 7
• Manager: Ange Postecoglou
• Club: Al Nassr
• Salary (gross): £11.7m / $15.6m
• Contract until: July 2028

• Rank: 8
• Manager: Xabi Alonso
• Club: Chelsea
• Salary (gross): £11.5m / $15.4m
• Contract until: July 2030

• Rank: 9
• Manager: Luciano Spalletti
• Club: Juventus
• Salary (gross): £11.2m / $14.9m
• Contract until: July 2028

• Rank: 10
• Manager: Enzo Maresca
• Club: Man City
• Salary (gross): £10m / $13.3m
• Contract until: July 2029

* Details on Mikel Arteta's exact salary and contract length remain unclear, but reports suggest it surpasses his previous terms.

Mikel Arteta’s Latest Arsenal Deal

On September 22, 2026, Mikel Arteta sealed a new contract with Arsenal. The agreement appears to extend his tenure at the club until at least the 2029/30 season, marking nearly ten years since he joined in December 2019.

While the full financial details have not been released, BBC’s Sami Mokbel indicates Arteta received a significant raise from his prior salary of £10 million annually, plus an extra £5 million in bonuses. This likely places him among the top earners in coaching worldwide, possibly ranking third or fourth.