5 Most Underrated Coaches in World Football

Good managers are hard to find—unless, of course, you know which guys are underrated.

Football fans all over the world know all about the great managers, from Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson to rockstar journeymen like Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

But while those guys have name-recognition, dozens of others toil in relative obscurity while producing excellent results.

Here are five of world football's most underrated managers.

Alan Pardew

Current club: Newcastle United

Past gigs: Southampton, Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Reading

While working for an unpopular owner in Mike Ashley, Alan Pardew has quickly turned around Newcastle United's fortunes without spending a fortune.

Relegated from the Premier League in 2009, Newcastle finished fifth in 2012 and pushed for a Champions League place throughout the season. The driving forces were Pardew and a number of cost-effective signings like Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye.

Last season was unexpected, but with Pardew still pulling the strings, the Magpies will be expected to match their success this term.

Rene Girard

Current club: Montpellier

Past gigs: France U-21, France U-16, France U-19, Strasbourg, Pau FC, Nîmes

Rene Girard is well-known among his fellow coaches for his work with France's youth teams. Until last season, however, he was generally unknown to casual football fans.

Not anymore.

Last season, Girard led modest Montpellier (where he took over as manager in 2009) to the Ligue 1 title, beating out big-spending Paris Saint-Germain along the way.

That made Girard a household name around Europe. For now, though, he's still underrated.

David Moyes

Current club: Everton

Past gigs: Preston North End

David Moyes has managed Everton since 2002, and the long road hasn't always been smooth.

The Toffees finished one spot above the relegation zone in 2004 but claimed top-eight finishes in 2003, 2005 (when they took fourth place), 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 (when they finished above crosstown rivals Liverpool).

Most impressively, Moyes did it all with a budget tight enough to make Arsene Wenger proud.

Vicente Del Bosque

Current team: Spain

Past gigs: Besiktas, Real Madrid, Real Madrid B

It seems almost ludicrous to claim underrated status for a man who's managed a World Cup champion, European champion and Real Madrid.

Vicente del Bosque, however, was underrated all summer during Euro 2012.

Accused of needless tinkering (admittedly by yours truly) and criticized for his experimental tactics, Del Bosque responded by guiding La Roja to a historic title run.

Jurgen Klopp

Current club: Borussia Dortmund

Past gigs: FSV Mainz 05

Before too long, Jürgen Klopp won't have a spot on this list. For now, though, he sneaks in. Barely.

Dedicated football fans know Klopp's work well. Borussia Dortmund dominated Germany again last season, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal—and, more importantly, beating Bayern Munich repeatedly along the way.

Soon, casual fans will know Klopp's name, too.

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