Which well-known managers have managed in the National League?

The climb from the National League to the Premier League is hard enough for players, but for managers it is an unfathomable feat.

Given the influx of foreign managers, particularly in the Premier League and Championship, opportunities are sparse, but the journey is still possible.

Indeed, it is a passage that works both ways, and some reputable names have made their way down the football pyramid too, with the fifth tier boasting some stellar personnel of late.

Here, DAZN News looks back at some of the most iconic names, past and present, to have managed in the National League.

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Rob Edwards

While Rob Edwards has never managed in the National League, his journey from the National League North to the Premier League is well worthy of inclusion.

Coincidentally, Edwards held the role of assistant manager at Wolves and took charge of one game as caretaker boss before taking the reins at AFC Telford in 2017.

The former player managed the Bucks for forty-two matches during the 2017-18 season, as they finished in mid-table, before returning to manage the Old Gold's under-23s.

Since then, the Welshman has worked his way up to the top flight, taking charge at Watford, Luton Town and Middlesbrough before returning to Molineux, where he played for four seasons.

Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes' managerial career has followed the opposite path to Edwards.

Given that the former international enjoyed a formidable playing career with Manchester United, it is unsurprising that his first managerial opportunity came with Wales.

Following a respectable stint as Wales boss, which included wins over Italy and Germany, Hughes' first dip into club management came with Premier League side Blackburn Rovers.

After an encouraging four-year spell with Rovers, the former forward took charge of Manchester City while the club were taken over and managed the likes of Vincent Kompany and Carlos Tevez.

Following roles at Fulham, QPR, Stoke City, Southampton and Bradford City, the Welshman now manages Carlisle United in the National League after they were relegated from League Two.

Simon Grayson

A manager with substantial EFL experience, Simon Grayson has managed some of the biggest clubs in English football.

Grayson's managerial career started with the club he ended his playing career with, Blackpool, becoming their boss in 2005, having taken charge of the under-18s.

His best and longest spells as manager came with Leeds United and Preston North End, where he amassed just over 400 games in charge; however, he was unable to guide either side to the Premier League.

The former defender's time at Sunderland can only be described as a catastrophe, with his time at the helm of the club's downfall being broadcast on the hit Netflix documentary, Sunderland Til' I Die.

Grayson became manager of Hartlepool United in June of 2025, but did not last long as a National League manager, as he was sacked after just 14 league games.

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Steve Cotterill

With over 30 years of coaching experience under his belt, Steve Cotterill has held managerial and assistant managerial roles at some of England's most historic football clubs.

Cotterill's managerial career actually began in Ireland in 1995 when he took charge of Sligo Rovers before he moved to England to manage Cheltenham Town.

The Englishman's most successful managerial stint came at Notts County, where he only lost one of his 18 games in charge of the League Two outfit before moving to Portsmouth.

Cotterill was also an assistant manager to some of the most successful English bosses, working under Harry Redknapp at QPR and Birmingham City, as well as Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland.

He managed National League side Forest Green Rovers after they were relegated from League Two in 2024, before taking over at League Two's Cheltenham in the summer of 2025.

Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson's love affair with Yeovil Town is one of the fairytales of  English football, having guided them to the dizzying heights of the Championship - the highest they have ever been in their history.

In fact, Johnson enjoyed two spells with the Glovers and guided them to the fourth round of the FA Cup on several occasions to become a Yeovil legend.

He took charge of just under 250 matches with Bristol City and even managed Latvia before taking over at Torquay United in the National League and National League South.

Now, Johnson is back at Cheltenham, where he holds the role of director of football, having previously managed the Robins.

Phil Parkinson

While Phil Parkinson was a more than capable EFL manager, he saw the seismic potential of National League outfit Wrexham when he took over as manager in 2021.

With Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as owners and an Amazon documentary in full swing, the club had completed the groundwork to climb up the football ladder.

Although the Red Dragons stuttered before taking flight, they have achieved three successive promotions and are now competing in the Championship.

Of course, some will argue that Parkinson has had an easy job, given the financial backing of the club, but he is responsible for results and has barely put a foot wrong.

PA

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