We take a look at the most handsomely compensated managers in world football.

He always claimed he was good enough to take charge of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and now it's been revealed that Sam Allardyce certainly is capable of mixing it with the big boys, at least in terms of his pay packet.

The much-maligned West Ham boss was today revealed to be the 13th best paid manager on the planet by Brazilian research firm Pluri Consultoria.

According to them, Allardyce takes home over €3.5 million-per-year, a sum which puts him ahead of World Cup winners and some of the finest coaches on the planet.

Experienced boss Felipe Scolari, the man charged with leading Brazil to World Cup glory on home soil next summer, takes home a relatively paltry €2.75 million, while Roy Hodgson, the man with the 'impossible job' as England coach still earns less than the former Bolton gaffer.

Despite his surprisingly lofty pay packet and position on the list he just misses out on making the top ten of the great and good of the world game.

10. Manuel Pellegrini (Man City)

Pay packet: €4.16m

The Chilean coach arrived over the summer as Roberto Mancini's replacement amidst much fanfare, and after a shaky start he looks to be living up to expectations.

In recent games, City's goal scoring has gone through the roof, while they also defeated reigning European champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Interestingly, it was reported that Mancini was earning around £7.5 million-per-year when he signed his last contract with the 2011/12 champions.

9. Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)

Pay Packet: €4.3 million

The en-vogue Dortmund coach can do little wrong these days, and there's no doubt he could earn a whole lot more from one of the giants of European football if he were to leave the Westfalenstadion.

However Klopp is nothing if not loyal, and has repeatedly insisted he has no plans to leave any time soon.

Despite Dortmund's relatively modest means compared to their rivals on the continent, they found enough pennies down the back of the sofa to make Klopp one of the best paid coaches around when he signed a new deal in October.

8. Gerardo Martino (Barcelona)

Pay Packet: €5.4 million

The Argentinian was reportedly hand-picked by Lionel Messi to take over at Barcelona after it was deemed Tito Vilanova was unable to carry on. It pays to know the right people it seems.

Martino, who had never coached in Spain before taking over at the Nou Camp, has received a mixed reception so far despite the fact his side are top of La Liga.

The real test will come after Christmas as he looks to fend off Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on home soil, while maintaining a charge for glory on the continent.

Still, if he's being paid more then €5 million, it's the least he can do.

7. David Moyes (Man Utd)

Pay Packet: €5.9 million

At least in one table, Moyes is ahead of his Manchester rival Manuel Pellegrini.

The Scot was named as the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson after he stepped down from his role at the helm at Old Trafford after almost 27 years - a job that surely means Moyes will earn his money.

Fergie was said to have earned £7.6 million per season by the time he called it quits over the summer - then again he did win 13 Premier League titles, so he probably earned it.

6. Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Pay Packet: €7.5 million

The wage for taking charge of the club with one of the most expensively assembled squads in Europe and with fans who will except nothing less than victory? Quite a lot it seems.

The Italian arrived in Spain over the summer as the antidote to Jose Mourinho's abrasive style, and so far he's done a solid if not spectacular job.

With the two most expensive players on the planet amongst his squad in Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, the La Liga title and challenge for a record 10th Champions League crown are a must.

5. Fabio Capello (Russia)

Pay Packet: €7.8 million

Recently, Capello was linked with the vacant Tottenham job, and naysayers instantly pointed to one spanner in the works. Why would he head to White Hart Lane when he's raking it in as Russia boss?

The Italian, who led England to World Cup disaster in 2010, is the highest paid international manager on the list, and will have the chance to right the wrongs of South Africa in Brazil next summer.

4. Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)

Pay Packet: €8.26 million

If wages were in direct correlation to long service, then Wenger would be top of the pile.

The haggard Arsenal boss has taken plenty of beatings during his 17 years at Arsenal but is still going strong, and is looking to challenge for the Premier League title and end the Gunners' eight-year trophy drought in one go this season.

The Frenchman only has a one-year rolling deal and with PSG always lurking, he could be due a pay rise in the summer.

3. Marcelo Lippi (Guanzhou Evergrande)

Pay Packet: €10 million

Into the real high earners now, and it's no surprise to see a manager of a team from the Far East amongst the big boys.

Lippi is making a tidy living in charge of the Chinese club Guanzhou Evergrande, and recently guided them to the Asian equivalent of the Champions League.

He's the first man to win the UEFA Champions League and the Asian version, as well as the World Cup. It's fair to say he's worth every penny.

2. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

Pay Packet: €10.03 million

Mourinho is back at Chelsea to work with Roman Abramovich, and it looks as though he's made it worth his while even if things do go pear-shaped.

The Special One helped Chelsea claim their first to-flight title in 50 years during his first spell and he'll look to repeat the trick this time round.

He's not had it all his own way however despite the fact his Chelsea side are 3rd in the Premier League without playing particularly well - they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by lowly Sunderland this week.

1. Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich)

Pay Packet: €17 million

Miles out ahead on his own at the top of the manager's pay list is Pep Guardiola, who returned to football to take charge of the best squad in Europe for the most amount of money. Some people have all the luck.

The former Barcelona midfielder left the Catalan club as their most decorated manager, and after a year-long sabbatical has emerged re-energised and ready to guide Bayern to the top once more.

While still in charge of Barcelona, he "only" earned €10.5 million.