Hernan Crespo eyes top European job after global coaching success in 2026

Former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo wants to return to Europe as a coach after winning trophies in South America, the Middle East and Asia.

From feared striker to ambitious coach Hernan Crespo jokes about his long hair in his playing days but remembers how opponents once feared him. Now coaching in his 50s, he builds his approach around goals, energy and drive—just like when he was a player. This philosophy, he believes, could soon bring him back to the highest level of club football in Europe. "I played in all the great events - three World Cups.. I reached the Champions League final - an unforgettable one against Liverpool," he says with a knowing laugh as he recalls AC Milan throwing away a 3-0 lead then losing on penalties in 2005. ## Cup-winning journey across continents Crespo did not take the easy route into management. He started coaching at Parma’s academy, where he is a club legend, while earning his badges at Italy’s top football school in Coverciano. A tough start at Serie B side Modena led him home to Argentina, where he turned Defensa y Justicia—a modest club in Buenos Aires—into Copa Sudamericana winners. His next stops brought trophies at Sao Paulo in Brazil, Al-Duhail in Qatar and, most recently, Al Ain in the UAE, where he guided them to Asian Champions League glory in 2024. "I needed to reset in Argentina to come back to Europe stronger," he says. "I am the same Crespo as a footballer and as a coach. ## Style rooted in attack and balance As a coach, Crespo sticks to what he knows: attacking football built on possession, aggression and quick transitions. He still prizes balance—pressing high, winning the ball back and moving it forward fast. Yet his core stays true to his roots. "My football is about the ball - building, attacking, being aggressive.. achieving results in offensive terms, but always with balance in recovering the ball, applying pressure and creating movements to win it back," he explains. "I will never forget my essence as a person. I was always a forward, so I always thought about scoring goals and being aggressive. It is a spirit I had as a kid. I try to respect that even now." ## Dream of returning to England after Chelsea glory Crespo spoke from his home in Argentina while waiting to hear from his agent, who has been exploring openings worldwide. England remains his top target, where he once shone at Chelsea. "I still follow the Premier League and it is the top destination," he says. "I am working hard to come back." One unforgettable snapshot shows him staring in awe at the Premier League medal he earned under Jose Mourinho in 2006, despite scoring 26 goals in 73 games and often coming off the bench. "I always say I wish I had another life where I could have spent more days at Chelsea," he reflects. "I am an older man now, and I would like to come back to understand it better. It was very hard for me personally at that time. My days at Chelsea, and for my family, were not easy - but the fans were amazing. ## Gratitude for Chelsea’s legacy and English football Crespo still cherishes the medal that symbolized his brief but impactful spell in England. "England lives football the right way. When I saw that medal, I remembered everything - from being a kid, the sacrifices, the dressing room with [Gianfranco] Zola, [Gianluca] Vialli and [Ruud] Gullit before me, then arriving at that moment with Mourinho, [Didier] Drogba, a great captain like John Terry, and a great midfielder like Frank Lampard," he says. "I will never forget that moment and I am very proud to have been part of it. When I saw that medal, my whole life flashed before my eyes." ## Aspiring to manage in top leagues again Although he enjoys watching Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Roberto De Zerbi shape the Premier League, Crespo insists he will "be myself" rather than copy others. Clubs like Rayo Vallecano, Marseille, Lazio and his boyhood club Parma have recently been linked with him. Yet his gaze stays fixed on bigger stages, especially in England, where he believes he can still make a difference. ## Crespo remembers Messi’s first touch in 2006 Crespo lined up alongside Lionel Messi at the 2006 World Cup, his final tournament for Argentina and Messi’s debut. He sensed greatness the moment he saw Messi’s first touch and recalls their first meeting in a Champions League clash between Barcelona and Chelsea in 2006, when Asier del Horno was sent off for fouling Messi. With Messi turning 39 in three weeks, many expect this to be his last World Cup as Argentina defend their title. ## Messi’s final dance and Argentina’s challenge "Whoever loves football will be happy watching him," Crespo says of Messi’s probable last World Cup. "It will be the Messi from Qatar - one who sets people up, rather than one who beats three players and scores. That Messi is gone." He points to rising stars like Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Emiliano Martínez to carry the torch. "Players like Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Emi Martinez all need to step up. Fernandez was the leader of my Defensa y Justicia team, even though he was young. Now he is world famous. I tried to help him become a great player. I am proud, but I only helped him a little, because everything he has achieved is because of him." Crespo believes Argentina, Spain, France and maybe England or Brazil are the main contenders in 2026. "Argentina have learned how to play with or without Messi. I think they are among the favourites, along with Spain and France. Maybe England can do it, or Brazil - but the other three are my favourites. It is very hard to win it twice in a row and you need to be lucky. It is also very sad that it will be Messi’s last one. We want it to be his last dance."