The European Championship is almost here, and it’s up to these twenty-four men to lead their side to victory in Germany this summer.
These managers, who range from seasoned leaders to relative newbies, will make the decisions during Euro 2024.
Effective managers know how to change their strategy according to the circumstances, the opposition, and the players at their disposal. To have the upper hand over their competitors, they could utilize various playing formations, strategies, and in-game tweaks. Those engaged in football betting must also be gearing up for some predictions.
It is essential to comprehend the psychological dynamics of the team and how outside influences could impact output. Because they are emotionally intelligent, high-profile managers are able to control pressure, expectations, and stress for both their players and themselves.
Julian Nagelsman
Julian Nagelsman is the current head coach of the German national team. He has already established himself as a world-class football tactician with his stints at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich.
At just 36 years, Julian will be the youngest coach at Euro 2024. As the host nation, lots of eyes are on him and his players. He has been tasked with leading a star-studded squad with the likes of Leroy Sane, Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz, Jasmal Musiala, and many others to success.
He is known for his innovative tactics and attacking style of play. He named a 27-man provisional squad of players that excelled and showed huge potential under his leadership. Nagelsmann’s presence at the Euro adds an interesting plot twist to Euro 2024. With expectations and past defeat pressure building up, Julian will be a figure to watch throughout the tournament.
Dragan Stojkovic (Serbia)
Just five players have received the “Star of the Red Star” honor, and most believe he never lived up to his full potential in Europe since injuries kept him from making a lasting impression at Marseille.
In his 84 international matches, Stojković scored 15 goals for the national teams of SFR Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia. He participated in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the 1984 Summer Olympics, the UEFA Euro 1984, the 1988 Summer Olympics, and the 1998 FIFA World Cup for the former.
He was a swift, astute, and unpredictable player who was dubbed “the Maradona of the Balkans” for his ability to outsmart opponents and pass the ball with precision and originality. Despite his skill, he had multiple injuries during his career, which limited his potential.
Michal Probierz (Poland).
He has two Polish Cup and Polish Super Cup victories as a manager: in 2010 with Jagiellonia Białystok and in 2020 with Cracovia. Before taking the helm of the Polish national team in 2023, he managed the Poland U21 squad in 2022. Later, under his direction, the national team qualified for UEFA Euro 2024.
He was named the next manager of the Poland under-21 national team on July 4, 2022, succeeding Maciej Stolarczyk. The U21s had five victories, three ties, and two losses in ten games under his leadership.
After Fernando Santos was fired from his position as manager of the senior national team and the under-21 squad made a strong start to their 2025 UEFA Euro qualifying campaign,
Matjaz Kek (Slovenia).
Kek began his playing career at NK Maribor, his hometown team, and later transferred to Železničar Maribor, another Maribor-based team.
Taking over for interim manager Igor Benedejčič, Kek was named Slovenia’s manager for the second time in his career on November 27, 2018. Having won four of their ten games, Slovenia finished in fourth position in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying tournament under his management. Slovenia set a record in 2020 by going eight games without a loss.
They also won Group 3 of the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C, which earned them a promotion to League B.
Kek led Slovenia to second position in the group in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers after the country’s first European championship, secured on the final matchday, with a 2–1 victory over Kazakhstan.
Slovenia qualified for the European Championship for the first time in 24 years under Kek’s leadership in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifications. Slovenia defeated Kazakhstan 2–1 on the last matchday to secure second place in the group.
Serhiy Rebrov (Ukraine).
Born on June 3, 1974, Serhiy Stanislavovych Rebrov is a manager of professional football in Ukraine and a former striker. He is Ukraine’s manager at the moment.
He had played for his country 75 times when he announced his retirement on July 20, 2009, making him the fourth most-capped player in the history of the Ukrainian national team. He also finished second all-time with 15 goals scored.
Rebrov took over as the Ukraine national football team’s manager on June 7, 2023.
Experience and previous performance suggest that Dragan Stojkovic (Serbia) has the best chance of leading a well-trained team to a successful outcome. With his offensive strategies and maybe advantageous group, Serhiy Rebrov (Ukraine) could also be a dark horse.
Understanding team psychology and external influences is also key. Top managers are emotionally intelligent, managing pressure and expectations for themselves and their teams.
Football is an unpredictable sport, and there are a lot of other aspects besides manager tactics that can affect a team’s performance.
