EXPERIENCE is key when it comes to a World Cup, with many older players and managers often coming out on top in high pressure moments.
Managing your country can be a brutal profession. Failing to meet expectations won’t just disappoint a select group of fans, like at club level, but an entire nation.
And that’s why the fair share of national coaches are towards the end of their managerial careers, having learnt how to cope with the pressure.
SunSport have been taking a look at the oldest managers to have competed at the World Cup.
Who is the oldest manager in World Cup history?
Former German coach and player Otto Rehhagel is the oldest manager to ever appear at a World Cup.
In June 2010, Rehhagel led the Greek national team to South Africa at the age of 71 years and 317 days.
Greece were unable to progress past the group stages in what proved to be the German’s final tournament.
However, his infamous Euro 2004 victory will forever be remembered by Greek fans.
Where does Louis van Gaal rank?
Although Rehhagel’s record won’t be broken at this year’s World Cup, Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal is very close.
The former Manchester United manager will be only 6 months his junior, making him the second oldest manager in World Cup history.
Former Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez was in line to break the record at the age of 75. However, he was dismissed in 2021.
Tabarez’s last World Cup appearance was in 2018, where he was just a month younger than van Gaal.
However, if the tournament was held in the summer, Tabarez would have been older.
