Only ONE manager has spent more money than Jose Mourinho in football history – with the sacked Roma boss splashing over £1.6BILLION on transfers across his career – but which coach has forked out the most?

Jose Mourinho has spent a whopping £1.6billion on transfer throughout his career – but that doesn’t come close to the highest-spending manager of all time. 

The Portuguese tactician has been sacked by Roma despite requesting a new contract, with the club sitting ninth and off to their worst start in Serie A since 2002/03. 

Mourinho has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world and therefore some with the loosest purse strings. 

A £100million outlay on Paul Pogba and a £75m splurge on Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United are his two priciest purchases, but he has also spent lavish sums with Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Tottenham.

His spending at Roma was more pared back and his all-time career cheque book is second only to one man.

Pep Guardiola holds the distinction of being the most financially backed manager ever. he has spent £1.76bn, winning 36 trophies

That man is none other than Pep Guardiola, who has dropped an enormous £1.76bn on the transfer market while managing Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. 

That’s a couple of world-class signings more than Mourinho – in a shorter managerial career, as well. 

Transfermarkt keeps a running record of how much money is spent by managers over their careers.

Beneath Guardiola and Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti has spent a gargantuan £1.46bn, taking the reins at the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Juventus, and PSG. 

That has delivered him an impressive 25 titles – including four Champions League crowns – though Mourinho has won 27 and Guardiola has bagged 36. 

In fourth, Massimiliano Allegri has spent £1.22bn in a career which has stayed in Italy, peaking with Juventus and AC Milan at the top of the domestic tree. 

Rounding out the top five is Diego Simeone, who has…