There is an old cliche in life about never going back, whether it is returning to a former partner to “give it another go” or football managers returning to their former jobs for a second or even, in some cases, a third attempt.
Some managers can’t seem to resist returning to their former jobs, sometimes for more than two stints. Here are some managers who have had a managerial position more than once:
Rinus Michels (Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands national team)
The great Rinus Michels is considered one of the most important head coaches of the modern era. The Dutchman’s success in implementing the ‘Total Football’ style of play with Dutch giants Ajax from 1965 until 1971 first brought him to the attention of the wider world. His first spell included winning the club’s first European Cup in 1971.

Hans Peters for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Michels loved a reunion. Not only did he manage Ajax twice, but he also had two spells as Barcelona’s head coach and four stints as the Netherlands national team boss, albeit one of them lasted just two games with the Oranje.
Arguably, the only time he was successful when he returned to a job was when he managed the Netherlands for a fourth period from 1986 until 1988, when he guided the Oranje to the European Championship, which to date is their only major piece of international silverware.
Howard Kendall (Everton)
The Durham-born Kendall couldn’t resist the lure of Merseyside giants Everton. Having been a legend with the Toffees during his playing days. He returned to manage the Toffees for his first stint in 1981.
From 1984 until 1987, he guided the Toffees to the English league title twice, an FA Cup, and the Cup Winners’ Cup. He then decided to move on to the Spanish club Athletic Club.
His first spell at Goodison Park ensured he would go down as not just one of the best Everton bosses of all time but one of the best English managers the game had ever seen.
Kendall rekindled his love affair with the men from Merseyside in 1990, staying until 1993. However, he failed to recapture the glory days of the 1980s and quit in December 1993.
Football had moved on, but Kendall couldn’t let go of the Everton bug as he returned to the club for a third spell from June 1997 until the following June, when he quit after he guided the team to safety on the final day of the season.
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

Brian Minkoff-London Pixels, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fresh from winning the Champions League with Porto, the self-entitled ‘Special One’ rocked up at Stamford Bridge to take over at Chelsea for the first time in the summer of 2004.
He was successful with the Blues in his first stint as boss, claiming the title in his debut campaign as boss, Chelsea’s first of the Premier League era. He left the south west London club in September 2007 after his side produced a poor run of form.
Having enjoyed success with European giants Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Mourinho returned to manage the Blues for a second time in the summer of 2013 and stayed until December 2015.
During his second spell, Mourinho guided the Blues to another Premier League title and the League Cup. The Portuguese is still considered to be a Chelsea legend by the majority of supporters for the work he did during his two tenures with the club.
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Considered one of the greatest managers of all time, the great Italian has enjoyed more success on the big stage than most in his profession. Many of his biggest achievements have come with the Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Ancelotti joined Los Blancos in 2013 and stayed until 2015. Although he failed to win La Liga in his first spell with the record European champions, he guided them to the Champions League in 2014.
The Italian returned to the Spanish capital in 2021, and his second spell with the club was even more successful. He guided the Spanish giants to the Spanish top-flight title in seasons 2021/22 and 2023/24 and to the Champions League in seasons 2021/22 and 2023/24.
Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)
The former Scotland international is a legend at Liverpool for both his exploits as a player and manager. He first took charge of the Merseyside giants in May 1985 and stayed in the job until February 1991.
During his first spell, the Reds won the English top-flight title three times, the FA Cup twice, and a plethora of other trophies.
Dalglish returned to the club for a second spell as manager in January 2011 after Liverpool had endured a disastrous spell under Roy Hodgson. The Scottish boss didn’t last long in the role, as he left in May 2012 after an underwhelming spell in charge.
Although his second period did not yield the same success as his first glorious period, Kenny Dalglish is still highly regarded by most Liverpool fans.
Kevin Keegan (Newcastle)
Having played for Newcastle United from 1982 until 1984, Keegan returned to his former club as boss in February 1992.
He oversaw a revolution on Tyneside, transforming the Magpies from a struggling second-tier side into challengers for the Premier League title. He left the club in January 1997, having endeared himself to its fans.
After stints in charge of Fulham, the England national team and Manchester City, Keegan returned to the north east club in January 2008. However, his stay was short, as in September of the same year, he left the Magpies after a reported disagreement with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley over transfer funds.