There are plenty of cases to back it up. Diego Maradona hasn't lasted long in any managerial post he's taken, and Ruud Gullit never did, either.

Then there's Gary Neville, the reliable right-back of Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Manchester United side for almost two decades, who endured a well-documented nightmare four-month spell in charge of Spanish club Valencia.

Conversely, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, to name two well-known examples, became revered coaches despite modest playing careers.

The proof is also evident right now in Russia, where 18 of the 32 head coaches leading teams at the World Cup never represented their country as senior players.

Fourteen did, though. And nine even made it to the big show...

1. STANISLAV CHERCHESOV, RUSSIA

Played for: Russia (1994 and 2002)


Cherchesov was left on the bench for Russia's first two group games at USA '94 - defeats against Sweden and the eventual winners, Brazil. Already eliminated, the starting XI was given a shake-up for their final match before heading home. Cherchesov started, Oleg Salenko scored five goals and Russia won 6-1.

He was an unused sub at the 2002 World Cup, and Russia lost all three of their games. Now he's in charge of the hosts and they're flying. Notice a pattern here?

2. JUAN ANTONIO PIZZI, SAUDI ARABIA

Played for: Spain (1998)


His Saudi Arabia side haven't lasted long at the World Cup - they were the first team to be eliminated - and Pizzi didn't last long as a player in '98, either.

The Barcelona striker was given just one outing, in Spain's second game against Paraguay, and was hauled off inside an hour of the 0-0 draw as La Roja crashed out in the group stage. But hey, at least he made it.

3. FERNANDO HIERRO, SPAIN

Played for: Spain (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)


Pizzi was captained at France '98 by this La Roja legend. Hierro didn't get any game time as a 22 year-old at Italia '90 but started Spain's first two games at USA '94 and played every minute at France '98 and in Japan and South Korea in 2002. He scored five World Cup goals in all - three of them penalties.

The Real Madrid man was reliable from the spot. His teammates, less-so.

4. DIDIER DESCHAMPS, FRANCE

Played for: France (1998)


Deschamps only appeared at one World Cup, but boy, did he make it count. The cultured Juventus central-midfielder skippered his country to glory on home soil, making him the only head coach at the 2018 World Cup to have won the tournament as a player.

He only had one shot and did not miss his chance to blow, his opportunity came once in a lifetime. It's type of story that could inspire a hit rap record.

5. OSCAR RAMIREZ, COSTA RICA

Played for: Costa Rica (1990)


Los Ticos' moustachioed maestro Ramirez was an ever-present in the No.10 role for Costa Rica at their very first World Cup.

They beat Scotland in their opening game and sprung a surprise by finishing second in their group behind Brazil to reach the round of 16 - a feat he's been unable to emulate as head coach this time around.

6. MLADEN KRSTAJIC, SERBIA

Played for: Serbia and Montenegro (2006)


The then-Schalke 04 centre-back was part of the beleaguered back-line that shipped six to Argentina in the group stage in 2006.

They came off second best against the Netherlands and the Ivory Coast, too. Now Krstajic is all grown up and got himself a hair cut. It's a change in style and a change in fortune - Serbia could yet reach the round of 16 in Russia.

7. GARETH SOUTHGATE, ENGLAND

Played for: England (1998)


History repeated itself for Southgate last weekend - his first World Cup match as a head coach was against Tunisia, just as it was for him as a player.

That went well - a 2-0 win and a clean sheet. His next appearance was as a substitute in the fraught round of 16 game against Argentina. That did not go well, specifically when it came, as it usually does for England, to the penalty shoot out.

Oh, Gareth. Still, at least it inspired this advert. Never gets old...

8. ADAM NAWALKA, POLAND

Played for: Poland (1978)


Poor Mr Nawalka is the only man on the list that we can't find a picture of playing at a World Cup.

He absolutely did though, lining up in Poland's midfield for five of their six games in 1978. That tournament featured a first and second group stage. The Eagles topped their first group but dropped out in the second - understandable, given they were up against Brazil and the hosts and eventual winners, Argentina.

9. ALIOU CISSE, SENEGAL

Played for: Senegal (2002)


There were two feel-good stories in Japan and South Korea in 2002. The first was the original Ronaldo putting his injury troubles behind him to blast Brazil to glory. The second was the shock run to the quarter-finals by tournament debutants Senegal, captained by this man. Now, they might be at it all over again.

The abiding memory of their 2002 success was the opening match of the tournament, in which Papa Bouba Diop's goal was enough to beat and stun the holders, France.

Cisse's first World Cup fist-pump moment - and evidently, not his last.