THE average wage paid for an EFL League One coach is reported to be £200,000 per year.
But patterns in League One outright betting reflect the fact that ambitious clubs have been paying a great deal more than this. Particularly at the three teams who won promotion over the past campaign.
Birmingham City were worthy champions thereby satisfying all football betting experts.
Meanwhile, so called “Hollywood club” Wrexham were runners-up to cement a third consecutive promotion rising up from the National League. And the Play-Off winners were Charlton Athletic.
So who will be the best paid League One coaches during the new 2025/26 campaign? Here are the leading five according to intelligent estimates across various online sites
Matt Bloomfield
- Salary – £475,000
- Club – Luton Town
- Age - 41
- Date appointed – 14th January 2025
Matt Bloomfield on Luton Town: "Relegation from the Championship last season was incredibly painful and will never leave us. The players, staff and supporters were all heartbroken. But painful memories help you to evolve and be better for the future.
"You actually learn more from them than you do from good memories. So we will use that pain as fuel going forward in League One. It is the fuel to get better and drive this football club on."
Brian Barry-Murphy
- Salary – £450,000
- Club – Cardiff City
- Age – 47
- Date appointed – 16th June 2025
Brian Barry-Murphy on Cardiff City: "I’m very pleased with the application of my players throughout our pre-season period. But for the whole squad there is a lot of work to do so that everyone understands their roles based on the way I want to play.
"If the players keep an open mind to try to improve things and work really hard at it, then step by step we will be strong in the new season. I expect to see a lot of bumps in terms of both understanding and the physical application required for League One football."
Tom Cleverley
- Salary – £425,000
- Club – Plymouth Argyle
- Age - 35
- Date appointed – 13th June 2025
Tom Cleverley on Plymouth Argyle: "I’m grateful for the experience I gained in my previous job at Watford. It will help me handle things throughout the rest of my coaching career.
"I feel I can translate my knowledge into a longer term project at Plymouth Argyle with real stability. I think you will now see me flourish as a coach. Promotion back to the Championship for Plymouth is my number one aim.
"But I also want to create a process here with real stability so that when we go up a level we can continue to compete. I am not too rigid or too stubborn though. I like to listen and get other people’s opinions so that I can adapt from there whilst having a strong core of principles."
Steve Bruce
- Salary – £400,000
- Club – Blackpool
- Age - 64
- Date appointed – 3rd September 2024
Steve Bruce on Blackpool: "I started rebuilding Blackpool’s squad last January. We decided to give everything a bit of a revamp because the team hadn’t been good enough over the last few years to get where this club wants to go.
"There is still a lot of work to be done. But I’m quietly confident that we can assemble a squad that will see us through for a really good season ahead."
Nigel Clough
- Salary – £350,000 per annum
- Club – Mansfield Town
- Age - 59
- Date appointed – 6th November 2020
Nigel Clough on Mansfield Town: "I want to keep moving Mansfield Town forward. It is very challenging but also very important for the football club. The signings we have made plus improvements at our stadium and training ground are all very positive.
"However, the most important aspect is on the pitch. If you don’t get that right then everything else is totally irrelevant."
Read More:
- League Two salary figures and estimates
- League One salary figures and estimates
- Football predictions
- How much do Championship players get paid?
- Learn about the Championship playoff final
- The most expensive transfers in Championship history
*Credit for the image belongs to Alamy*
