A look at the current managerial landscape across Europe’s top five leagues shows that long-term coaching tenures are becoming increasingly rare, with only a handful of managers maintaining extended spells at their clubs.
At the top of the list is Frank Schmidt, who has been in charge of Heidenheim for 18 years and six months.
His remarkable tenure has seen the club rise from lower-league football to establishing themselves in Germany’s top division and even competing in Europe.
According to Planet Football on Thursday, these are the 10 longest-serving managers in Europe’s top five leagues before the 2025-26 campaign comes to an end.
10. Christophe Pelissier – Three years and five months
Auxerre brings back memories of a more innocent era of European football, playing in the Champions League alongside the likes of Parma, Deportivo La Coruna, and 1860 Munich.
But they’ve spent large periods of the past 15 years in the second tier of French football, last relegated in 2023 despite Pelissier joining mid-season.
He got Auxerre back up at the first attempt and is currently trying to keep their head above water.
9. Ernesto Valverde – Three years and nine months
Valverde will be leaving Athletic Bilbao at the end of the 2025-26 season, after a wonderful third spell in the Basque capital.
In 2024, Valverde lifted Athletic Club’s first piece of silverware in 40 years after winning the Copa del Rey final. The following year, they finished fourth in La Liga and reached the Europa League semis.
The 62-year-old will be hard to replace in Bilbao.
8. Eddie Howe – Four years and five months
Howe is coming under increasing pressure at Newcastle, but their difficult 2025-26 season shouldn’t mask his achievements on Tyneside.
He arrived in November 2021 with Newcastle winless and deep in relegation trouble. The Englishman soon led them to mid-table safety before qualifying for the Champions League twice.
There’s also the small matter of winning the League Cup in 2025, Newcastle’s first major trophy since medieval times 1969.
7. Michel Sanchez– Four years and nine months
Michel has led Girona from the Segunda Division to the Champions League, although that third-placed finish in 2024 was always likely to be a one-off.
Still, Girona are clinging on in La Liga, and Michel has a wonderfully eclectic squad at his disposal, mixing youngsters with the likes of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Axel Witsel.
6. Marco Silva – Four years and nine months
Fulham were in the Championship when Silva arrived in 2021. One romp to promotion and four mid-table Premier League finishes later, it’s hard to imagine anybody else in the Craven Cottage hot seat.
5. Manuel Pellegrini – Five years and eight months
The former Manchester City coach is into his 70s now, but is going strong with Real Betis and has been for the past five years.
Given that he is currently getting a tune out of Manchester United flop Antony, it is clear he can still work his managerial magic.
Recent seasons have seen them compete in Europe and win the Copa del Rey.
4. Mikel Arteta – Six years and eight months
The Spaniard has been in charge at Arsenal for nearly seven years and enjoyed a flying start, winning both the FA Cup and Community Shield.
However, it has been a barren trophy run since, and increasing questions over whether Arteta can get Arsenal over the line.
Despite that, they have grown into consistent title contenders and might even win this season’s Champions League.
3. Pep Guardiola – Nine years and nine months
With the longest managerial spell of his career, Guardiola has been a winning machine ever since arriving in England.
Despite a slow first season of adaptation, he then roared into action with five league titles in six seasons, and he also captured the Champions League during the treble-winning campaign.
His current deal runs until 2027 and Guardiola will want to build on the 19 trophies he’s already won next season – and he could well still lead City to another league title in May.
2. Diego Simeone – 14 years and three months
Despite being over a decade into his tenure, Simeone has just about as much energy as he did when he began, and he remains one of the best in the world.
The Atletico Madrid fans adore their leader, and he often orchestrates the brilliant atmosphere by celebrating every tackle and contesting every foul from the sidelines.
1. Frank Schmidt – 18 years and six months
Simply put, this is an extraordinary feat.
Schmidt’s journey with Heidenheim has been remarkable and one that deserves more praise and credit than it gets.
He was born in the city and is a true legend for helping bring them back into the top-flight and steering them to European football.
With over 600 games in charge, the 52-year-old has claimed he never once wanted to move elsewhere.
And he has reiterated that remaining in Germany’s top flight is also a success, given the size and stature of the club and their reliance on signing players from the lower divisions.