Former Arsenal , Manchester United and Liverpool Stars are part of the surprisingly youthful group of former athletes who have become football managers in 2025, and we're amazed by this trend.
These days, most players tend to play professionally until their late thirties, but others decide to retire early and make a headstart on their managerial career.
After examining this trend more closely, we discovered seven remarkably youthful ex-professionals who have since become managers.
Jack Wilshere
After the removal of Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup, Wilshere has been appointed as the temporary head coach for the remainder of the season.
His professional journey was interrupted by injuries, which eventually led to his retirement in 2020 when he was just 30 years old.
He has subsequently taken up positions as a youth coach, initially with Arsenal and currently with Norwich. However, he has now been assigned his highest-profile role yet – at least for the time being.
At 33 years old, he will be the youngest manager in the Championship, and at the end of the season, he is scheduled to face off against one of his ex-Arsenal teammates.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey remains listed with Cardiff City, but he has been appointed as the club’s caretaker manager after Omer Riza was let go over the Easter holiday.
He took charge of his first game over the weekend and could only draw against Oxford, which leaves Cardiff in the relegation zone with two games to go.
On the last day of the season, Cardiff will head to Norwich, with Ramsey set to face Wilshere from the technical area.
James Morrison
Championship clubs seem to have an obsession when it comes to hiring prime Barclaysmen as temporary managers.
Recently, West Bromwich Albion terminated their relationship with Tony Mowbray, and they've appointed 38-year-old Morrison as interim manager for the remainder of the season.
Tom Cleverley
Considering that most Watford managers don’t last longer than a few months, Cleverley has done an exceptional job to last over one year in the head-coach role.
Even though many predicted Cleverley would face challenges early in the season, he has kept Watford close to the top six throughout.
At only 35 years old, he is currently among the youngest managers in the EFL.
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Javier Mascherano
Mascherano once shared the pitch with Lionel Messi at Barcelona and flash forward to 2025, he’s now his manager at Inter Miami.
“Sometimes I get uncomfortable talking about him because he’s been my teammate for over 20 years, and now I have to support him in this new role as a coach,” Mascherano told reporters when discussing his new role.
Burak Yilmaz
One of the most lethal strikers to ever grace the Turkish Super Lig. Yilmaz called it quits on his playing career in 2023 and he’s not wasted any time in heading into management.
Having previously had managerial stints with Besiktas and Kayserispor, the 39-year-old is currently managing Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig.
Cesc Fabregas
Following his retirement from professional football in 2023, Fabregas quickly moved into coaching.
After serving as Como’s interim manager in 2023, he took over as head coach last summer and now has his team positioned at the 13th spot in Serie A.
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