These are the richest soccer coaches: with $125 million, Guardiola is far from No. 1

Soccer is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Millions of fans on five continents enjoy matches every week in different leagues and international tournaments, and that generates revenues that reach the clubs and allow them to compete at the highest level. Advertising contracts, the sale of jerseys and other items, ticket sales and broadcasting rights are some of the sources of income they have.

So it is logical that players have multi-million dollar salaries and their transfers are worth fortunes, as they are the stars of the sport. But in recent years, coaches have become more and more important, to the point where they have become stars that are as important, if not more important, than the players. And that also means higher salaries.

According to The Sun, these are the 10 richest coaches in the world today, considering the money they have earned in their jobs, but also in their careers as footballers, if they were.

In 10th place is Arsene Wenger, former Arsenal coach, with a fortune of $47 million. Next are Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, with $48 million, and Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid, with $50 million. Seventh place goes to Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed Manchester United for 27 years and earned $70 million. Further up come two coaches whose greatest success came during their playing careers: Steven Gerrard ($88 million) and Zinedine Zidane ($123 million).

Who are the first?

Tied for third place in the ranking are two coaches who were longtime rivals: Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. According to The Sun, both have a fortune of almost $125 million. A surprising second place goes to Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid, with $127 million. And No. 1 is a former Manchester United star: Wayne Rooney. He shone for more than a decade with The Red Devils and now, now retired, is the manager of Birmingham City. His fortune is $155 million.