Domenico Tedesco might not be remembered for his playing career, but his journey is worth noting. Born in Italy and raised in Germany, Tedesco played in the eighth division of German football before wisely choosing to pursue coaching over playing. He moved from being an industrial engineer to coaching youth at Stuttgart, one of the region's biggest clubs.

Julian Nagelsmann's playing career was cut short due to a severe knee injury at the age of 20. As captain of the Munich 1860 U19 team, his potential was evident. Despite the abrupt end to his playing days, Nagelsmann has excelled as a coach, leading major clubs in Germany.

Kasper Hjulmand also had his career ended by a knee injury, retiring at 26. Before that, he moved from Copenhagen’s lower league club Herlev to the University of North Florida’s Ospreys team in the USA. His coaching career has since flourished, leading Denmark on the international stage.

Francesco Calzona, Slovakia’s coach, has the least distinguished playing and coaching background among this group. He played a few matches for Arezzo in Serie B during the 1980s and spent the 1990s coaching an amateur team while managing a coffee business. His rise to coaching Slovakia and Napoli’s recent successes is notable.

Ralf Rangnick's playing career was brief, ending by the time he was 30. Known more for his coaching talent, he played for Stuttgart and Southwick while studying in England. His time at Southwick included a memorable incident where he broke three ribs and punctured a lung. His experience in England shaped his coaching philosophy significantly.

Edward Iordanescu followed in his father’s footsteps but did not make a significant impact as a player. He played for several Romanian clubs but rarely made the headlines. His coaching career, however, has seen him lead several clubs and now the national team.

Zlatko Dalic had an unremarkable playing career, spending most of his time with the now-defunct NK Varteks. His coaching career has been far more successful, leading Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022.

Matjaz Kek was a left-footed central defender who started and ended his career with Maribor in Slovenia. He also played in Austria and had a single cap for Slovenia. Now, he’s leading his national team.

Michal Probierz spent most of his career as a central midfielder with Gornik Zabrze and Ruch Chorzow, two of Poland’s historic clubs. His coaching career has been extensive, managing nine Polish clubs, some more than once.

Luciano Spalletti had a modest playing career in the lower leagues of Italy before finding success as a coach. He began his coaching career at Empoli, leading them from Serie C to Serie A.

Marco Rossi, an Italian defender, played mainly in Serie B with Brescia and had a brief stint with Sampdoria. His coaching career has seen him take charge of Hungary’s national team.

Roberto Martinez made a career-defining move from Balaguer in Spain’s fourth division to Wigan Athletic in England’s fourth division in 1995. He played over 200 games for Wigan and later managed the club to an FA Cup victory in 2013. He now coaches Portugal.

Luis de la Fuente (Spain)

Luis de la Fuente was a dependable left-back for Athletic Bilbao, winning La Liga titles in 1983 and 1984. He never played for Spain’s senior national team but had a successful domestic career.

Steve Clarke spent most of his playing days at Chelsea, making over 400 appearances and winning several domestic trophies. His coaching career has been equally notable, leading Scotland to their first major tournament in over two decades.

Sylvinho (Albania)

Sylvinho, the first Brazilian at Arsenal, later played for Celta Vigo and Barcelona, winning multiple La Liga titles and Champions League trophies. He now coaches Albania.

Murat Yakin had a successful playing career in Switzerland, Germany, and Turkey. He was a key player for Basel and won numerous Swiss titles. He’s now the coach of the Swiss national team.

Gareth Southgate is best known for his time at Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough. He was the first Middlesbrough captain to lift a major trophy. Despite his infamous penalty miss, he has become a respected manager.

Serhiy Rebrov was a prolific striker in Ukraine, forming a deadly partnership with Andriy Shevchenko at Dynamo Kyiv. His time in the Premier League was less successful, but he remains a celebrated figure in Ukrainian football.

Ivan Hasek led Czechoslovakia’s golden generation, captaining the national team at the 1990 World Cup. He won multiple domestic titles with Sparta Prague and was named Czech Footballer of the Year twice.

Willy Sagnol won numerous titles with Bayern Munich, including the Champions League. He played 58 times for France, including every minute of their 2006 World Cup campaign. He now coaches Georgia.

Vincenzo Montella scored over 100 goals for Roma, winning the Serie A title in 2001. Known as “Aeroplanino,” his nickname reflected his small stature and distinctive goal celebration. He now coaches Turkey.

Didier Deschamps, the original "water carrier," won everything as a player and captain, including the World Cup and the Euros. He also had a successful club career with Marseille, Juventus, and Chelsea. As a coach, he led France to World Cup victory in 2018.

Dragan Stojkovic, or "Pixy," was a dazzling attacking midfielder who played for Crvena Zvezda and Nagoya Grampus. Known for his dribbling and flair, he was one of the best players of his era.

Ronald Koeman tops the list with a combination of talent and trophies. He won the European Championship, two European Cups, multiple domestic titles in the Netherlands and Spain, and was known for his exceptional free-kicks and leadership from the defense. Now, he coaches the Netherlands.

As Euro 2024 unfolds, these coaches will draw on their rich playing experiences to lead their teams. While some had glittering careers, others found their true calling on the touchline.