World Football's Fastest-Rising Young Managers

Sometimes the managerial merry-go-round is just as volatile as the January transfer window, but there are a new generation of "young guns" who have what it takes to perform at the highest level.  

Many chairmen still feel comfortable appointing someone experienced within the game who knows exactly what it takes to succeed—but they come at a cost.

Yet it's the youngsters who have been making the headlines in recent months and plenty of them are here to stay.

So how do we define young manager? For this article, we will look at the cream of the crop who are under the "old" age of 49.

Therefore the likes of David Moyes misses out on this occasion but Andres Villas-Boas is firmly in the mix at 35. 

At the end of each resumé, I will add a potential "big" club they could eventually manage further down the line.

Honourable Mentions

Vincenzo Montella

The Italian has done wonders in his first season with Fiorentina. Currently sitting 4th in Serie A, the 38-year-old has completely overhauled the squad who finished a disappointing 13th in 2011/12.

Just three points off a Champions League spot, Montella's stock is rising week-by-week despite only one season of managerial experience before taking the job.

Paolo Di Canio

There doesn't come too many more volatile men than Paolo Di Canio. The surprise appointment at Swindon Town, many predicted a very short, unsuccessful tenure.

However, the 44-year-old guided them to promotion at the first time of asking while also reaching the League Trophy final in the same season.

He left the club under a cloud in January despite sitting 4th in the table and is currently the favourite to take over at Reading.

Antonio Conte

Conte is fairly experienced despite his young age, having managed five different clubs during a seven-year period.

But it's with his old team Juventus where Conte is really making big strides forward. 

The 42-year-old finished the Serie A season unbeaten, lifting the Scudetto for a record 28th time.

Known for being a master tactician, the similarities to Jose Mourinho are obvious.

Roberto Martinez

The 39-year-old has been magnificent since taking over the managerial reigns at Wigan Athletic.

Constantly tipped for relegation, the Spaniard defies the odds season after season to keep the Latics in the EPL.

Although many expected Liverpool to snare the former Swansea City favourite in the summer, Martinez eventually stayed and has just guided Wigan into the FA Cup semi-finals with a stunning 3-0 win at Everton. 

5. Michael Laudrup

There were a few raised eyebrows when Michael Laudrup was appointed as Swansea's new manager following the departure of Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool.

Although it was understandable to appoint another bright young manager to take the club forward, few expected lightning to strike twice. Bookmakers even made the Swans third favourites for relegation.

Fast forward eight months and you have a club currently sitting 9th in the league with a seven-point cushion, their first major trophy already in the cabinet and the guarantee of Europa League football next season.

Tactically and financially the 48-year-old has been outstanding, plotting famous wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea while discovering the likes of Michu for just $3 million.

Voted top EPL manager in a recent LMA survey, Laudrup's stock could not be higher at the present moment.

Heavily linked with future moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona, he signed a one-year extension to his current contract, delighting Swansea fans in the process.

However, next season could be his last if the big clubs come knocking again.

Potential future club: Barcelona - Same mould as Pep Guardiola and doubts continue to surround Vilanova's health.

4. Mauricio Pochettino

The swift firing of Nigel Adkins at Southampton and immediate appointment of Mauricio Pochettino left a bitter taste in many supporters' mouths.

Battling against relegation, the 42-year-old was brought in by chairman Nicola Cortese in what looked like a premeditated move by the Italian.

Despite little being known about the Argentinean, he did rescue Espanyol from relegation during his first managerial season back in 2009.

Pochettino continued his success by leading the Pericos to another respectable mid-table finish before being dismissed after a poor start to this season's campaign.

But well-respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague shocked many of the doubters by declaring his admiration for the young manager, appealing for fans to be patient in order to see the best results.

And Southampton fans didn't have to wait long to see what Pochettino can do as he guided the Saints to a 3-1 home win over current champions Manchester City.

It is also believed Jose Mourinho had a role in the appointment, giving a strong recommendation to the Saints hierarchy to appoint the former Argentina centre-back.

High praise indeed from a man that doesn't get a lot wrong.

Potential future club: Real Madrid - Mr Mourinho's thoughts certainly help his cause.

3. Tito Vilanova

Although the resignation of Pep Guardiola shocked the world, replacement Tito Vilanova could not have been better suited to take over for his mentor.

The transition from assistant to rookie manager did arise certain questions from outside Camp Nou, but, internally, FC Barcelona knew exactly what they were getting.

And the 44-year-old's short reign could not have gone much better on the pitch. Fifteen wins from the first 16 La Liga games with the only "blemish" coming in a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid.

But with their bitter rivals faltering badly against other opposition, Vilanova now looks assured to win back the league title in his very first season.

It really has been a dream start to a very promising career. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said off the pitch after being diagnosed with parotid gland cancer for a second time in December.

Vilanova has not returned to the bench since and has recently declared himself unavailable for a further month.

Hopefully for Villanova and Barcelona, his current health issues do not cut such a promising career short.

Potential future club: Barcelona for a very long time—God willing.  

2. Andre Villas-Boas

The youngest manager in the list is earning plenty of plaudits as he plots Tottenham's return to Champions League football.

Villas-Boas is no stranger to England after failing to complete his first season with Chelsea despite signing a three-year contract.

Many believed the 35-year-old, who won the Portuguese Cup and Europa League with Porto, did not get a fair chance at Stamford Bridge in what was a transitional period for the club.

But Spurs did not waste any time in giving the youngster a second chance in the EPL.

Villas-Boas has repaid that faith with a series of excellent results, including impressive wins over Manchester United and Liverpool that currently see them sitting third in the league.

Shrewd acquisitions such as Jan Vertonghen and Lewis Holtby have given the north Londoners a different dimension whilst it is no coincidence that Gareth Bale is currently playing the best football of his career.

For a man who never played professionally, his rise to the top has been nothing short of sensational.

Potential future club: Bayern Munich - Huge potential and the Bundesliga would suit his tactical prowess. 

1. Jurgen Klopp

"Kloppo" took over a faltering club in 2008 and has transformed Borussia Dortmund into one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in European football.

To win back-to-back Bundesliga titles is a phenomenal achievement after years of mid-table obscurity under the previous regime.

Klopp single-handedly stopped Bayern Munich's stranglehold of German football and has transformed the likes of Matt Hummels from relative mediocrity to one of the world's very best centre-backs.

Many expected Dortmund to be one of the teams to exit the Champions League early after being drawn in the "group of death" along with Manchester City, Ajax and Real Madrid.

Not only did they qualify, they won the group easily and are regarded as a real contender to win the whole competition.

At just 45, Klopp could have at least another 30 years of managing at the highest level, provided he continues to impress.

Potential future club: Not quite a club, but the German national team beckons.

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