Football clubs need to spend money in order to compete for trophies. However, some clubs and managers are more likely to buy players than others.
Therefore, we’re taking a look at the ten managers who have spent the most money on transfers during this century, meaning from the 2000/2001 season onwards (via Transfermarkt), including their biggest captures.
10. Mark Hughes
The current Stoke City manager has coached five teams since the turn of the century. Hughes has spent a total of £328.44 million on 48 transfers, narrowly beating Brendan Rodgers for the tenth spot. His biggest buy has been Robinho at Manchester City, paying £32.25 million for the Brazilian.
9. Louis Van Gaal
Next up is Manchester United’s current boss. The Dutchman has been involved in 42 transfers during his stay at four clubs, spending a total of £372.36 million on new players. His biggest transfer has been Angel Di Maria, spending £56.25 million to get the Argentine at Old Trafford.
8. Pep Guardiola
The Spaniard will join the Premier League next season, but has been very successful coaching Barcelona and Bayern, spending a total of £409.13 million on just 30 players. Getting Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter for £52.13 million has been his biggest transfer.
7. Rafa Benitez
Newcastle United is the Spaniard’s fifth club since 2000 and Benitez has spent a total of £449.88 million on 69 new players since. He has paid more than £20 million for one player four times, with Fernando Torres (at Liverpool) and Gonzalo Higuain (at Napoli) being his biggest captures at £28.5 million.
6. Claudio Ranieri
Oh what a miracle it would be if the Italian leads Leicester to the Premier League title. The Foxes are Ranieri’s seventh team this century, with the 64-year-old spending a total of £454 million on 68 players. His three biggest transfers have come at Monaco, with James Rodriguez topping the bill at £33.75 million.
5. Roberto Mancini
The current Inter boss has coached five teams since 2000 and has spent a total of £459.1 million on 61 incoming transfers. Mancini’s biggest get has been Sergio Aguero at Manchester City, paying £30 million for the Argentine.
4. Arsene Wenger
The Arsenal legend narrowly beats Mancini in this regard. Wenger has brought in 75 new players with the Gunners, spending a total of £465.08 million. The Frenchman’s biggest transfer has been Mesut Ozil, who came to Arsenal from Real Madrid for £34.5 million.
3. Manuel Pellegrini
It’s time for the big spenders. Pellegrini has coached six teams this century and has spent a total of £636.56 million on 65 new players. Still his biggest capture has been Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for £70.5 million.
2. Carlo Ancelotti
Starting from next season, the Italian will coach his sixth team (Bayern Munich) since 2000. For now, Ancelotti has spent a total of £674.95 million on 58 transfers with five teams. He paid the most for Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, meaning £75.75 million.
1. Jose Mourinho
But by far the biggest spender has been Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese has coached six teams this century and has brought in 86 new players for a total of £810.96 million. That’s more than £100 million more than Ancelotti. Mourinho’s biggest transfer is still the one where he paid £32.48 million for Andriy Shevchenko at Chelsea.
