Being a football club's manager is a thankless job. Of course, you get rewarded handsomely, but the hefty paychecks don't shield you from the hate and vitriol directed at you from all corners if your team is floundering. A manager might be brimming with tactical adeptness and technical ingenuity, yet there's only so much he can control. A manager can't cure the systemic malfunction of the club. It's borderline impossible for a manager to win the whole thing with a mid-table club, given the financial constraint. A manager can't do anything if his defender decides to make a rash tackle in the dying minutes of the game and concede a lead. Still, there are managers whose hate is self-inflicted (we are looking at you, Jose Mourinho). They bring the negativity upon themselves through a sustained period of lackluster performance, or their polemics in the press, or their ill-treatment of star players. Below, we look at the most hated managers in world football in 2024. 

5 Most Hated Football Club Managers In 2024

Erik ten Haag - Manchester United

Where do you begin even? With every match week, it feels that the world is coming closer to the imminent sacking of Erik ten Haag. Ever since the Dutch manager came to Old Trafford, it's been a long, waiting game for United fans, that somehow or someday things will click and Manchester United will rise from the lurch. Unfortunately, it hasn't materialised yet, and the abysmal start to the current season has made him a subject of utter contempt and ridicule in the world. He even fought with Cristiano Ronaldo because the Portuguese striker didn't fit in his system: a system that nobody has even the faintest idea of yet. After seven matches, ten Haag's United have just eight points to show for, and they languish at the bottom half of the points table.

Pep Guardiola - Manchester City

Even though Ten Haag is hated for not doing enough, the hatred for Pep Guardiola arises from his maniac obsession with perfection, and winning everything that is there for him. As much as the fans love ruthless dominance, they also enjoy a semblance of competition, and at this point, Guardiola's high-flying Manchester City have killed all their challengers. Guardiola is a typical sporting figure that you'd love to have in your team, but hate to have on the other side. His trophy-laden stint at Manchester City has no parallels. They are aiming to win the Premier League for a record fifth time in a row.

Diego Simeone - Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone is a divisive figure. He may be an excellent manager, keeping Atletico Madrid relevant on a shoestring budget, but he has an affinity for doing things that you wouldn't approve of. Case in point: when ultras of Atletico were throwing water bottles and crackers at Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois last week, Simeone pleaded with his fans to stop, but not without pointing out at Courtois, sarcastically, as if it's his fault. There's a long list of such controversies the Argentine manager has found himself in over the course of a decade or so during his stint at Atletico. His team has struggled to get into rhythm of any sort, winning just four out of nine matches this season. 

Antonio Conte - Napoli

Antonio Conte is great at managing teams, but not so when it comes to managing his own ego and emotions; they often get the better of him. Conte is currently employed at Napoli, and you never know how long he will last. He rarely lasts long anywhere. Even when you assume things are going great for his team, you never know what's going in the boardroom, the latest tussle Conte has picked up with the owners or the players. Conte has had an opportunity of managing teams like Chelsea, Juventus, and Tottenham, and he left all these clubs on a sour note. Because of his whimsical attitude bordering on narcissism, many fans don't want Conte at their club. 

Sean Dyche - Everton

Sean Dyche is entering his endgame era at Everton, where he has failed to exude any confidence. Dyche has been a Premier League mainstay, and albeit it's not easy to manage a club with a shallow pocket, Dyche of often accused of playing negative football, stripping the the joy and creativity out of team.