EPL: Top players who became managers at their former clubs

• Ruud van Nistelrooy has joined the elite list of players who became managers at their former clubs after taking charge of Manchester United
• The Dutchman entertained United fans as a player and is now doing so as a manager, having led the club to a stunning 5-2 win over Leicester City on his first match in charge
• Frank Lampard is one of the top Premier League stars who returned to coach their former clubs

Ruud van Nistelrooy has joined the elite list of players who became managers at their former clubs after taking charge of Manchester United.

Van Nistelrooy entertained United fans as a player and is now doing so as a manager, having led the club to a stunning 5-2 win over Leicester City on his first match in charge. On Sunday, he guided the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw against a Chelsea side who have been, without a doubt, the better side this season. The Dutchman will also be in charge against Greek side PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester City before stepping down for Ruben Amorim who will be replacing Erik ten Hag as United’s permanent manager.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is the interim manager of Manchester United. Photo/ TEAMtalk.

During his days as a player for the Red Devils, van Nistelrooy entertained fans scoring 150 goals in 219 matches from 2001 to 2006. By being in charge of the Premier League giants on an interim basis, he has followed in the footsteps of Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs who both held the same position. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also United’s interim manager for some time before being offered a permanent contract.

With that intro , let’s take a look at other Premier League clubs’ legends who became managers after ending their playing careers.

1. Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is one of the players who became managers at their former clubs after retiring. The legendary midfielder joined Chelsea in 2001 from West Ham and went on to have an iconic career helping the Blues win the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League among other titles. During his 13-year spell at Stanford Bridge, the England international made over 600 appearances, scoring 211 goals.

Lampard played professionally for a short while after leaving Chelsea before announcing his retirement from the beautiful game. He would then get into coaching and returned as club manager in 2019.

When he arrived, Chelsea’s best player Eden Hazard had just left for Real Madrid and the Blues had been handed a transfer ban. Despite that, he led then to a top four position and would stay on as a manager until 2021 before making way for Thomas Tuchel. He did return for a second spell in 2023 but it wasn’t a successful one.

Frank Lampard. Photo/ Sky Sports.

2. Sir Kenny Dalgish

Sir Kenny Dalgish joined Liverpool in 1977 and went on to have an amazing career, which included three League title wins, two FA Cups and one League Cup. He also helped the English giants win the European Cup three times and is often considered by many one of the best players in the club’s history. In fact, there’s a stand at Anfield named after him.

Dalgish became a player-manager and then was appointed manager, occupying the position for a few seasons before leaving in 1991. He returned again during the 2011-12 season for a short spell. The former player was Liverpool’s manager in 381 matches, recording 222 wins, 95 draws and 64 losses.

3. Alan Shearer

There’s no doubting the fact that Alan Shearer is a Newcastle United legend and the greatest player in the club’s history. The Englishman joined Newcastle in 1996 and went on to make 405 appearance, scoring 206 goals. For his heroics in his ten-year spell at Newcastle, there’s a statue of him at St. James’ Park.

Shearer returned to Newcastle as manager during the 2008-09 season, leading them in the last eight matches of the season. The Magpies recorded just one win in eight matches and were relegated.

4. Eddie Howe

Next on players who became managers at their former clubs is Eddie Howe. The current Newcastle boss was a Bournemouth player from 1994 to 2002 and 2004 to 2007, playing in over 300 matches.

Like a good number of veteran players, Howe shifted to management after retiring and would help the club avoid relegation in 2008 before helping them win promotion during the 2009-10 season. Howe went on to have a short spell at Burnley and then returned to Bournemouth, leading the club to 2020. He has managed the club in over 450 matches, recording wins in 194 wins.

Eddie Howe. Photo/ Newcastle United.

5. Duncan Ferguson

Duncan Ferguson joined Everton for the first time in 1994 from Rangers and helped the club win the FA Cup in his debut season. He left in 1998 and returned two years later for a seven-year spell.

Just like the other players who became managers at their former clubs on this list, Ferguson occupied the interim position at Everton. He was the interim boss in 2019 after the sacking of Marco Silva and again in charge in 2022 after the dismissal of Rafael Benitez. As interim manager, he led the Toffees in five games, winning one, losing one and drawing three