The Hardest Coaching Jobs in World Sport: Readers Weigh In

In a recent global poll conducted by The Athletic, over 5,700 sports fans answered a provocative question: What is the hardest coaching job in world sport? The resulting rankings reveal a fascinating mix of expectations, history, fan pressure, and structural challenges that define the most unforgiving roles across global sports.

1. England Men’s Football Team – The Impossible Job

Topping the list with 15.7% of the vote (907 responses), the role of England men’s national team coach is deemed the most difficult in world sport. This comes as no surprise to those familiar with the weight of history — a single World Cup win in 1966 that has become a haunting legacy. Current manager Thomas Tuchel faces immense pressure to end decades of near-misses in major tournaments, despite recent improvements under Gareth Southgate.

“The tension has built up over 60 years,” notes Jack Pitt-Brooke. “Even as England performs better, the burden grows heavier.” The paradox of modern progress only magnifies expectations, making each tournament a referendum on national pride.

2. Manchester United – The Ferguson Shadow

With 12.9% of votes (745), Manchester United’s manager role ranks second. The ghost of Sir Alex Ferguson, who led the club for 26 years and delivered 38 trophies, looms large. Since his 2013 retirement, United has cycled through managers without sustained success, torn between pragmatic tacticians and charismatic motivators.

“There’s enduring allure in signing for United,” says Mark Critchley, “but no clear formula for success post-Ferguson.” Unlike Real Madrid, where a ‘star-driven’ model prevails, United’s instability makes consistency elusive.

3. Real Madrid – Winning Is Mandatory

Coming in third with 12.8% (742 votes), Real Madrid’s head coach must navigate immense internal power dynamics. The dressing room is filled with egos, and the club president holds extraordinary influence. Yet, the club’s 15 Champions League titles provide a blueprint — sign superstars, allow freedom, and win.

As Dermot Corrigan notes, coaches like Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti succeeded not just through tactics, but by managing personalities under relentless global scrutiny.

4. New York Jets – The “Same Old” Curse

With 11.6% (668 votes), the New York Jets coach faces a unique challenge: not winning, but ever winning. Their last Super Bowl was in 1969. Chronic underperformance, fan impatience, and meddling ownership define the role.

“They come dreaming of parades, but none deliver,” writes Zack Rosenblatt. Jerry Jones’ dominance in Dallas may be controversial, but at least the Cowboys aspire. For the Jets, low expectations are both a burden and a shield.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs – Generational Failure

With 6% of the vote (346), the Leafs’ coach battles a 58-year Stanley Cup drought — the longest in NHL history. Despite massive resources and a loyal fanbase, the team repeatedly falters in the playoffs.

“A long line of men have tried and failed to change how the team is perceived,” says Joshua Kloke. The pressure in Canada’s largest market, with relentless media scrutiny, makes this one of hockey’s most thankless jobs.

6. Brazil Men’s Football – A Religion Called Football

Brazil’s national team coach earns 5.9% (338 votes). In a country of 200 million where football borders on religion, anything less than a World Cup is considered failure. The deep talent pool is an asset, but managing expectations — and bridging the gap with elite European teams — is daunting.

“Lose, and you’re asked to perform public penance,” says Carl Anka.

7. Ferrari Team Principal – Italy’s National F1 Pride

Ferrari’s role (4.7%, 273 votes) is unique. Though Formula 1 is technically a team sport, the Scuderia is seen as Italy’s sporting ambassador. Any failure is national humiliation.

“The expectation is to win every single race,” says Luke Smith. But with deep resources and access to elite talent, the job has advantages — just not peace of mind.

8. New York Yankees – Pressure Without Panic

With 4.7% (272 votes), the Yankees’ manager role is intense but stable. Aaron Boone enters his ninth season without a World Series, yet retains his job — unthinkable for most top-tier clubs.

“The media and fan scrutiny are relentless,” notes Brendan Kuty. But owner Hal Steinbrenner’s patience contrasts sharply with his father George’s volatility.

9 (tied). Tottenham Hotspur & India Cricket – Gigantic Expectations

Both received 3.8% (222 votes each).

At Tottenham, pedigree hasn’t translated to success. Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Ange Postecoglou all failed — Postecoglou sacked just 16 days after winning the Europa League. As Elias Burke puts it, “Spurs and long-term success seem like oil and water.”

Meanwhile, India’s cricket coach faces ferocious expectations from over 1.4 billion fans. Success (T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy) hasn’t softened demands. Anantaajith Raghuraman notes: “Players are treated as stars from a freakishly young age — the pressure starts early.”

Honorable Mentions: The Road Less Ranked

Several roles, while not in the top 10, received strong backing:

• New York Knicks: Over 50 years without a title, a volatile owner in James Dolan, and the pressure of Madison Square Garden make this an NBA pressure cooker.
• Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones’ constant visibility — conducting interviews, attending meetings — creates a distorted power structure.
• Cleveland Browns: 42 starting QBs since 1999, constant roster instability, and a toxic ownership climate define their dysfunction.
• Montreal Canadiens: Unique bilingual expectations (French & English) add a layer no other NHL team faces.
• New Zealand All Blacks: Win the Rugby World Cup — or pack your bags. Ian Foster was ousted after a final loss, despite a strong record.
• Marseille: 35 managers this century, frequent chaos, and Le Classique humiliation exemplify French football’s most turbulent post.

The poll underscores an undeniable truth: the hardest coaching jobs aren’t always those in losing teams, but in those where history, identity, and expectation collide — where victory is expected, and anything less is betrayal.

Where do you stand? Is England truly the hardest? Or does Ferguson’s shadow make United the most impossible? The debate, like the pressure, continues.