Five of the Best Managers Who Never Played Professional Football

1) CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA

It's probably easier to list the clubs this fella hasn't managed rather than those he has - chairmen, presidents and international federations were obviously never put off by his lack of a playing career. Parreira's most distinguished moment throughout his club and country-hopping escapades came at World Cup '94, putting the non-footballer brigade on the map by guiding Brazil to the trophy for the first time since Pele and Co. back in 1970. "I think that having played football [professionally] can be a big help. But the most important thing is to prepare yourself properly, keep up-to-date, be a good communicator and have charisma," says the wily Parreira.

2) ARRIGO SACCHI

Ironically, Sacchi was the man beaten by Parreira in the final of World Cup '94, when his Italian side were defeated on penalties. Still, not a bad run for a man whose background was in shoe sales. Yes, the great former AC Milan coach started out selling a load of old boots but got, erm, itchy feet and ended up coaching Parma before his successful first stint in Milan, where he won Serie A in 1988 and the European Cup in 1989 and 1990, amongst other honours. When grilled by the Italian press about his lack of playing experience, Sacchi's retort was: "I never realised that in order to become a jockey you have to have been a horse first..."

3) JOSE MOURINHO

As far as managers go, he may be a self-confessed 'special one' but Jose Mourinho was a 'less than ordinary one' when it came to playing. He represented Rio Ave, Belenenses and Sesimbra but could never cut it as a professional and instead pursued the dream of becoming a coach. His mother had other ideas and enrolled him in a business school, which Jose dropped out of on his first day. Coaching courses then helped him secure a job as youth team coach at Vitoria Setubal in 1990 but it was an Englishman that helped define who Mourinho is today. Bobby Robson, in his pre-knighthood time, was appointed manager of Sporting Lisbon in 1992 and he required a local coach with a good command of English to work as his interpreter - step forward Jose. From there, Robson and Mourinho began a successful working relationship and friendship, with Robson taking him to Porto and then Barcelona, where Mourinho constantly impressed with his tactical and coaching prowess as well as his linguistic skills. Ultimately, Jose got his chance in the managerial hotseat and never looked back...

4) GUY ROUX

If ever one manager was an institution, it's Guy Roux. The 70-year-old is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement after managing Auxerre for 44 years. Roux started his playing career at the club whilst they were an amateur team and ultimately became manager in 1961. With Roux in charge, the team made it to a Coupe de France final in 1979 and progressed to Ligue 1 in 1980 - France's top division. The team then went further to clinch the Ligue 1 title in 1995-96 and win the Coupe de France four times (1993-94, 1995-96, 2002-03, 2004-05). Along the way, he has helped produce players like Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc, Basile Boli, Djibril Cisse and Phillipe Mexes. His unique devotion to a single team is a world record, with his playing and coaching career spanning a total of 53 years - a proper living legend.

5) BILL STRUTH

Bill Struth (1875-1956) was the second manager of Rangers Football Club, leading the club for 34 years between 1920 and 1954, as well as the holder of a number of other positions, including director. He is one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history, amassing 18 league championships, 10 Scottish Cup, 2 League Cups, 7 war-time championships, 19 Glasgow Cups, 17 Glasgow Merchant Charity Cups and a host of other war-time honours. Struth had never played football - he instead preferred athletics, and when he wasn't training or competing, he was a stonemason by trade. His big break at Ibrox came after spells as a trainer at Clyde and Hearts. He was appointed assistant manager at Rangers and was elevated to manager following the death of then-boss Willy Wilton. In 2005, Rangers' chairman Sir David Murray unveiled a bronze statue of Bill Struth, located in the Main Stand at Ibrox, now known as the "Bill Struth Main Stand" in honour of his contribution to the club.

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