” width=”333″ height=”316″>Most Attractive Managers In The Champions League
- Ian Harper
- 24 Apr 2025
As the Champions League enters its final stages, we analysed the official headshots of all 32 qualifying managers using AI-powered facial analysis software from Attractiveness Test. Each manager received a score out of 10 based on facial symmetry, structure, and other visual factors, resulting in a ranked list of the competition’s most attractive leaders. The technology uses computer vision and neural networks trained on thousands of annotated images to simulate how humans perceive attractiveness.The results are already sparking debate online — with several big names surprisingly near the bottom.
Best-Looking Managers According to AI
Mikel Arteta – Arsenal
Attractiveness Score: 7.36
Emerged from Pep Guardiola’s shadow in taking his first managerial role with Arsenal in 2019, he has since become one of Europe’s most well-regarded managers. While he is yet to win the Premier League or the Champions League with Arsenal, with Arsenal making it to the semi-final this time around, they are in the hunt.
Unai Emery – Aston Villa
Attractiveness Score: 7.14
Emery has rebuilt his reputation at Aston Villa. Known for his tactical discipline and European pedigree, he’s guided Villa to a strong Champions League run this season, losing to his former club PSG in the quarter finals. With multiple Europa League titles under his belt, he’s now proving he can compete at the highest level again after mixed spells at Arsenal and PSG.
Xabi Alonso – Bayer Leverkusen
Attractiveness Score: 6.85
Alonso has turned Bayer Leverkusen into one of Europe’s most exciting sides. In his first full season, he delivered an unbeaten Bundesliga campaign, breaking Bayern Munich’s eleven-year monopoly on the title. Bayern Munich got their revenge by decisively eliminating Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16
Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
Attractiveness Score: 6.79
Guardiola remains one of the most successful managers in modern football. After finally winning the Champions League with City in 2023, he’s continued to compete on all fronts. City reached the quarter-finals this time, losing on penalties to Real Madrid.
Sebastian Hoeness – VfB Stuttgart
Attractiveness Score: 6.70
Hoeness has quietly turned around the fortunes of VfB Stuttgart. Taking over the team while at the bottom of the table, he saved them from relegation in the 2022-23 season. After achieving second the following year, this season has not been so successful, currently mid-table domestically and knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League.
Arne Slot – Liverpool
Attractiveness Score: 6.64
Slot took over from popular manager Jürgen Klopp this season and has made an instant impact, with Liverpool 13-points clear at the top of the Premier League at the time of writing. Liverpool’s fortunes were not so good in the Champions League, losing out to PSG in the Round of 16.
Jürgen Säumel – Sturm Graz
Attractiveness Score: 6.48
Säumel has done a good job with Sturm Graz since taking over in November this season, with big shoes to fill after previous manager, Christian Ilzer won the title with the team last season. A strong Champions League performance was always going to be a long shot agains the giants of Europe, they are again fighting for the Austrian Bundesliga title this season.
Luis Enrique – Paris Saint-Germain
Attractiveness Score: 6.44
Paris Saint-German have been a dominant force in France, winning the last four titles consecutively. After years of underperforming in Europe, Luis Enrique has again taken PSG to the semi-finals, where they will face Arsenal. Will they be able to break their duck this time around?
Robin van Persie – Feyenoord
Attractiveness Score: 6.42
Robin van Persie has performed well in his first managerial role, building on the foundations built by Liverpool-bound Arne Slot. Feyenoord lost out in the Round of 16 to Inter Milan, and are currently third in the Eredivisie, fighting for a place in the Champions League next season.
Sérgio Conceição – AC Milan
Attractiveness Score: 6.37 After a long stint with Porto, Conceição took over AC Milan this season, well-known for creating well-disciplined teams, he’s made AC Milan tough to break down, although they won the Supercoppa Italiana this season, they haven’t had much success in the league, currently in ninth, or in Europe, going out in the knockout play-offs to Feyenoord
Lowest-Ranking Managers According to AI
| Rank | Team | Manager | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atalanta | Gian Piero Gasperini | 4.53 |
| 2 | Sparta Prague | Lars Friis | 4.58 |
| 3 | Real Madrid | Carlo Ancelotti | 4.84 |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | Diego Simeone | 5.34 |
| 5 | Red Star Belgrade | Vladan Milojević | 5.40 |
Some high-profile names feature in the bottom five. Gian Piero Gasperini, a long-serving figure at Atalanta, ranks last despite his consistent overperformance with limited resources. Lars Friis of Sparta Prague follows, with a relatively low profile and limited European experience. Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most decorated managers in history, surprisingly ranks third from bottom. Diego Simeone, known for his intensity and defensive mindset at Atlético Madrid, comes in fourth. Vladan Milojević of Red Star Belgrade rounds out the bottom five.
Methodology
All manager scores were generated using the AI algorithm from Attractiveness Test, rated out of 10.
To reduce bias from facial expressions or photo quality, we used consistent, front-facing images with minimal shadowing and clear visibility wherever possible.
