Football Manager predicts what current players will turn into iconic future managers

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Keinan Davis

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Romelu Lukaku

Admit it: we’ve all wondered which players will trade their boots for a spot in the dugout. Recently, Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta have proven themselves as elite managers, leaving us to speculate which current players could make the leap.

After writing down all the current players and managers who toy around with Football Manager, inspiration hit. We all know what real players think of FM, but what does FM think of the players?

So, I did the most scientifically rigorous thing possible: I fired up various Football Manager saves to predict who might become the next generation of Pep Guardiolas. By examining saves set 30 years into the future, I discovered which names consistently popped up.

Football Manager is scarily accurate at predicting the best wonderkid regens, so why not trust it to foresee the rise of wonderkid managers too? Without further ado, here are the names that could be leading the biggest clubs in the world someday:

Keinan Davis

Bet you didn’t see this one coming. Step aside, Carlo Ancelotti—make way for former Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis. In one save, it’s 2055, and Keinan is one of the most decorated English managers ever. Multiple Champions Leagues, countless trophies, and stints at AC Milan, Arsenal, and Real Madrid—he’s mastered them all with a classic 4-4-2 gegenpress.

This is peak Football Manager: a player who barely cracked the Premier League as a forward ends up as an all-time great manager. If he keeps winning, Davis might even top the managerial Hall of Fame. A truly iconic glow-up.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Not content with being an elite player, Trent Alexander-Arnold is, apparently, destined for managerial greatness too. FM’s verdict? He’s got 20 for people management and 20 for fitness, soaking up every ounce of wisdom from the likes of Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot. In one save, he even managed England for a couple of years.

Though, let’s be honest—his defensive coaching rating might be a touch generous. Regardless, if Trent takes his tactical notebooks to the dugout, expect greatness.

Youri Tielemans

This one feels realistic. Tielemans has always been tactically sharp and boasts the calm temperament ideal for management. Not a single red card in his playing career? That’s Carlo Ancelotti-level coolness. Tielemans strikes me as the sort of manager who’d stay unbothered no matter the chaos—a true master of keeping his feathers unruffled. Watch this space.

Marcelo Brozovic

Brozović’s name popped up in several saves, and it’s easy to see why. With strong mental and coaching attributes, he’s a natural fit for top managerial gigs. Croatia’s golden generation has thrived on mental toughness, and Brozović exemplifies that spirit. Honestly, if he made the jump to management IRL, it wouldn’t surprise anyone.

Alessandro Bastoni

This one’s… a bit weird. Bastoni’s managerial attributes are average at best, yet he somehow lands big jobs. The Italian Frank Lampard, perhaps? Let’s be real: his name alone probably gets him hired. If he were called Alex Barstow, he’d be lucky to get Stevenage’s U-18s.

Case in point: in one save, Bastoni managed Leicester—only to guide them to relegation from the Premier League. That’s his career highlight 30 years on. Iconic for all the wrong reasons.

Federico Chiesa

FM seems to have high hopes for Federico Chiesa’s managerial career, though he’s more often seen managing Saudi clubs and national teams. Maybe he’s in it for the money rather than glory. And you know what? Fair play, Federico—go chase that bag.

Bruno Fernandes

Now this would be box office. Bruno Fernandes as a manager? Yes, please. His stint as Manchester United captain has been… polarizing, and you have to wonder if he could inspire a dressing room. Picture the sideline meltdowns, the red cards for mouthing off to the fourth official—it’s pure drama.

His FM managerial attributes are underwhelming, suggesting his name carries more weight than his talent. But whether he’s brilliant or a total disaster, one thing’s for sure: we’d all tune in.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku, the journeyman striker, naturally transitions into a journeyman manager. In one save, he’d managed a staggering 11 clubs. It’s comforting to know that some things never change, even in 2055.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Mitrović has been a hit in multiple saves, managing the likes of Napoli, Ajax, and Bayer Leverkusen. With his no-nonsense demeanor, he’d instantly command respect in any dressing room—mostly because no one would dare cross him. Think Sean Dyche, but Balkan. Pragmatic, effective, and always delivering when it counts.

So, there you have it—players Football Manager predicts will be the next managerial superstars. Do you agree? Or do you think the FM algorithm’s lost the plot? If you’ve got a save that ventures far into the future, who are the elite managers leading your virtual footballing world?

About the Author

William is the admin of Out of Context Football Manager, an X account that focuses on FM news. He's worked for LADbible Group and is VG's resident FM expert.