Countrymen bias 

Atlético Madrid, Como & Co - Top-5 league clubs with the most players from the same nation as their manager?

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When a new manager comes into a team, he often tries to stamp his authority on his new side and make them a reflection of him. On some occasions this is even partly achieved by a manager signing a few of his countrymen. But which coaches favour their compatriots the most? At Transfermarkt, we have calculated which top-five league teams have the most players in their first-team squads whom are the same nationality as their manager. We have excluded players and managers who are the same nationality as the country in which they are playing. So for example Eddie Howe and the 16 Englishmen in Newcastle’s squad would not be included. This has been done as many squads already have a plethora of domestic talent before a manager from that same nation even arrives. Without further ado, let’s find out which managers are the most fond of signing their countrymen.

Top-5 league clubs with most players from same nation as their manager

People may be unsurprised to discover that top of the list is Atlético Madrid and Diego Simeone’s Argentine Army. The 54 year old has been in charge of the LaLiga club for 14 years, and their current squad contains as many as six Argentinian players, including the manager’s son Giuliano Simeone. Atlético also have Julián Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Correa, Juan Musso, and Nahuel Molina. Simeone’s Argentine revolution could even spread further this summer, with Atlético heavily linked with Argentina and Tottenham centre-back Christian Romero. The other top-five league side with six players who share a nationality with their manager are the Portuguese bunch at Wolves. Manager Vitor Pereira coaches six of his countrymen in Nélson Semedo, José Sá, Rodrigo Gomes, Toti, Carlos Forbs, and Gonçalo Guedes.

In third is Spaniard Cesc Fàbregas and Como FC of Serie A, who have five Spanish player in their ranks. Then in fourth Argentine Eduardo Coudet’s Deportivo Alavés have four Argentinian players. Four teams/managers share fourth position. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have three Spaniards, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have three Dutchmen, Thomas Frank’s Brentford boast three Danes, whilst Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have three Spaniards. There are then 11 other top-five league teams who have two players from the same nations as their managers.