Not many great players become great managers. There certainly isn't a correlation between the two. Some of the greatest managers of all-time have never been top professional players. However, great players do get a head
Eric Cantona Many consider Cantona to be the player that fired Manchester United to the top of English football in the Premier League era. In just five years at Old Trafford following his transfer from
Sir Stanley Matthews The first ever football knight is the greatest player to have turned out for Stoke City. He played close to 20 years for the Potters over the course of his long and
Luis Monti The midfielder, whose extensive coverage of the pitch earned him the nickname ‘double wide’ remains the only footballer in the world to have played two World Cup finals with two different national teams.
Shay Given The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has spent over 20 years in the Premier League and has played for several clubs but a league winner’s medal has eluded him. The closest he came
Josef Masopust (1962) The former Czechoslovakia international was plying his trade for Dukla Prague, one of the most dominant teams in the Czechoslovak league during the 1960s and 70s, when he became the first player
George Weah The Liberia international was one of the most feared strikers of his generation and went on to win a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain as well as two Serie A titles during
Sir Matt Busby The legendary Manchester United manager left an indelible mark on the Red Devils during his 25-year reign at the club. Regarded among the greatest managers of all-time, Busby went on to became
Stuart Taylor The second choice goalkeeper collected a winners’ medal at Arsenal during their 2001/02 league winning season when manager Arsene Wenger brought him on for Richard Wright on the final day of the season
Lothar Matthaus (Ballon d’Or 1990; FIFA World Player of the Year 1991) The Germany legend was the first recipient of the FIFA World player of the Year award which came into existence in 1991. The