Premier League manager salaries 2026: A full list of the highest-paid coaches

A comprehensive breakdown of Premier League manager salaries in 2026, highlighting the highest-paid coaches in English football and how their earnings compare across the league.

Managing clubs in the Premier League is one of the most pressure-heavy jobs in sport. 

Results can swing quickly, patience is limited, the financial stakes are enormous, and a club’s reputation hangs in the balance. That pressure is reflected in pay, with Premier League manager salaries ranging from modest by elite standards to genuinely eye-watering.

While clubs don’t publish official wage data, the reported figures for 2025–26 give a clear picture of how much top-flight managers earn, and why the gap between the highest and lowest paid coaches continues to grow.

The highest-paid Premier League managers in 2026

At the very top of the salary scale sits Pep Guardiola, who earns a reported £20 million per year at Manchester City, excluding bonuses. With performance incentives included, that figure rises even higher.  Guardiola is regarded as one of the best managers of all time, and his salary reflects that. City is paying to keep a manager who has delivered consistent results at the highest level. 

Behind him in the salary scale is Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, earning around £10 million per year following contract extensions tied to title challenges and deep European runs. Slightly further down we’ve got Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur and Unai Emery at Aston Villa, each earning around £8 million per year. 

These salaries place each manager firmly among the elite tier, reflecting Champions League expectations and long-term trust from ownership.

Upper mid-tier salaries

Just below that level are managers earning between £5 million and £7 million per year. This bracket represents clubs paying for reliability rather than constant title contention.

Arne Slot earns around £6.6 million at Liverpool, having taken on one of the most demanding jobs in the league. Eddie Howe sits at £6 million with Newcastle United, reflecting Champions League qualification and long-term project building. And David Moyes earns £5 million at Everton, a salary shaped by experience, stability, and the need to manage difficult transitions. 

Mid-table and rebuilding clubs

Managers in the middle of the Premier League salary range typically earn £4–4.5 million per year. These salaries reflect clubs aiming for stability, development, and incremental progress rather than immediate silverware.

This group includes:

• Marco Silva at Fulham

• Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace

• Liam Rosenior at Chelsea

• Nuno Espírito Santo at West Ham United

The lower end of Premier League manager salaries

At the bottom of the scale are managers earning between £1.3 million and £2.5 million per year, often at newly promoted clubs or sides operating with tighter budgets. 

Examples include:

• Keith Andrews at Brentford (£1.3m)

• Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth (£1.5m)

• Scott Parker at Burnley (£1.6m)

• Daniel Farke at Leeds United (£2m)

These roles often come with shorter contracts rather than long-term guarantees.

Why Premier League manager salaries vary so much

The gap in Premier League manager salaries is driven by three main factors: expectation, risk, and replacement cost.

Elite clubs pay heavily to minimise uncertainty. Relegation-threatened clubs limit exposure. Managers with recent success and strong reputations command higher wages because losing them is expensive. Bonuses also play a major role, and league position, European qualification, and trophies can add millions to a contract, especially at the top end.

What manager value looks like in 2026

Premier League managers are no longer judged purely on results. They are expected to manage squads, budgets, media pressure, and long-term strategy. Those who succeed across all areas become extremely valuable. Their salaries reflect not just what they do on the pitch, but the stability they provide behind the scenes.

Premier League manager salaries in 2026 reflect the league’s financial power and unforgiving nature. Some managers earn sums that rival star players. Others work under immense pressure for far less. The difference usually comes down to trust, track record, and what failure would cost the club.

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