by Matthew Adams

Created on: February 11, 2010

In the European game, there are a good number of soccer managers who have played the game professionally at some level. In fact, most probably have. However, it should be noted that great soccer players do not necessarily make great managers, and some of the best soccer managers were also relatively modest players.

For example, managers such as Mourinho were not great soccer players. However, as a manager Mourinho is one of Europe's best having coached Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan. Overall, winning a number of league and European titles with each club.

In contrast, there are a good number of managers who were much better players but have not matched Mourinho's record in club management. For example, let us consider Kevin Keegan. Keegan was one of the best England players of his generation in the '70s. Twice Keegan was European player of year. With Liverpool, Keegan also won a number of trophies such as the European Cup, UEFA Cup, league titles and FA Cup scoring 68 goals for the club in total.

In management, Keegan has won precious little. A good club manager perhaps, with Newcastle Keegan had an exciting team that finished high in the league. However, at international level, Keegan's brief spell as England manager was not particularly notable as the team went of the European Championship in the first round. In the end, Keegan resigned from his post after defeat to Germany in a World Cup qualifier.

Johan Cruyff is was one great player you could also say was a great club manager. Cruyff is regarded as one of the best European players to have played the game, and starred in a Holland team that reached the World Cup final. In addition to this, Cruyff played in the great Ajax teams and then for Barcelona where he won the '74 La Liga title with the club.

Progressing into a management career, with Barcelona Cruyff had some notable success. With Barcelona, a formidable team was formed with the likes of Romario and Stoichkov playing. Such a team were able to win the La Liga title four times and then a 1992 European Cup. Overall, Cruyff's Barcelona won a total of eleven trophies.

So overall, Cruyff was certainly a great manager and player also. However, Mourinho was not nearly such a good player but is a much better soccer manager than Keegan. So, in this respect a distinguished playing career is never essential to be a soccer team manager or coach.

Learn more about this author, Matthew Adams.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.