The history of the English Premier League is filled with iconic players, thrilling teams and magical moments. Soccer is a team game, but in the midst of any storm, one individual stands and becomes a beacon of calm amidst the chaos. The Manager is a beautiful nightmare conductor, omniscient and omnipotent, directing the ship to land or to the ocean floor. Without a coach, soccer is meaningless.
Since its inception in 1992/93, the Premier League has had some great managers. A quick look at the names not on this list (Mancini, Fourier, Redknapp, Hiddink, etc.) makes that clear. Whether it’s through his title-winning exploits or his overachievement in impossible circumstances, the Premier League’s greatest manager in his more than 30 years is an architect of the sport’s history.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United
There were candidates and favorites, but Sir Alex Ferguson stands alone at the top as the Premier League’s best manager. Fergie’s performances at Manchester United speak for themselves, but the club’s mediocrity in the years following his retirement only adds fuel to the fire. Ferguson won 13 league titles as United manager, a record he is unlikely to match, but he achieved it with style and strength. Whether you love Manchester United or hate him, it’s hard to argue with Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements.
2. Arsene Wenger – Arsenal
Sir Alex is number one but Arsene Wenger pushed him all the way. When Wenger took over at Arsenal in September 1996, he received mixed reactions and even contempt, but the man from Strasbourg changed the league. Wenger brought the kick and scream of English football into the modern era, revolutionizing preparation and playing beautiful football. Arsene Wenger has only won the Premier League three times, but his influence and influence are undeniable.
3. Jose Mourinho – Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
There have been many divisive managers in the Premier League’s long history, but none have been as successful as The Special One. Yes, the nickname is a misquote, but it has been the name the three-time Premier League winner has carried since taking over at Chelsea in June 2004. Mourinho’s team didn’t play exciting football and didn’t change the game, but they did. Merciless. Best of all, they succeeded. Jose Mourinho may not be to everyone’s taste, but the results speak for themselves.
4. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
After all, where does Pep rank among Premier League managers? Many fans deny the job the Catalan has done at Manchester City, suggesting that anyone with that budget could do the job, but that’s a testament to the incredible impact Guardiola has had on modern football. The impact is ignored. Pep Guardiola is in a league of his own in many ways, and his emphasis on pressing and possession is now a global standard. At the time of writing, Guardiola has won five Premier League titles, but only a fool would bet on him adding to that record.
5. Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool
Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary influence has somewhat overshadowed Jurgen Klopp’s work at Liverpool. When Klopp took over as manager in October 2015, Liverpool were a sleeping giant living on the back of their former glory, having been in a perpetual slump. Klopp changed everything, creating an on-field identity that blended perfectly with the club’s history and tradition. They finished a record-breaking second in the 2018/19 season, winning the club’s first Premier League title and first Championship in 30 years.
6. Carlo Ancelotti – Chelsea, Everton
Carlo Ancelotti’s side may not play with the easily recognizable style of Guardiola, Wenger or Klopp, or with the same stubbornness as Mourinho’s side, but this There’s a reason why Italians are the best players of all time. The most successful manager in UEFA Champions League history, Ancelotti’s short stay at Chelsea was record-breaking. He won the Premier League in his first season with a record number of goals, helping Chelsea win a First League and Cup double in the process.
He was shockingly sacked after Chelsea finished their second season in second place, a decision that still baffles fans. He also managed Everton, which feels more like a fever dream than anything else.
7. Rafael Benitez – Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Everton
He may have never won a Premier League title (although he came close), but that shouldn’t diminish Rafael Benitez’s reputation in the Premier League. Benitez did a great job at Liverpool, steadied a troubled ship at Chelsea and became a symbol for the whole city at Newcastle. Everton? No, I won’t mention that. With the exception of the latter, Benitez has left every club in a better place than he inherited, with an elite understanding of the opposing team’s weaknesses.
8. Antonio Conte – Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur
If Josep Guardiola calls you a “tactical master”, you probably know what you’re doing. Antonio Conte may not have been able to break Spurs’ curse, but there is no doubt that the Italian is one of the best managers in Premier League history. He won the league in his first season at Chelsea, setting his record for most wins in a season (30 wins). Conte’s work involves practicing organizational and tactical nuances that are often overlooked in the face of his attacking nature. He is a great manager to say the least.
9. Roy Hodgson – Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Watford
Now, it may feel like we’re talking about a different world right now, but there’s a lot more to managing in the English Premier League than finishing first. The history of this competition has been full of teams who have outperformed and outperformed the big-spending clubs year after year, thanks largely to the cunning and foresight of those in charge. Roy Hodgson brought the best to Fulham, West Brom and (now) Crystal Palace over the decades, and was a truly comfortable presence in each base.
Hodgson may not be the right fit for a big club, but there is no better fit for a potential super-achiever.
10. David Moyes – Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland, West Ham United
How will David Moyes be remembered as a Premier League manager? Was he given the impossible task of following in Sir Alex Ferguson’s footsteps during his brief stint as Manchester United manager, 10 months in which he walked like a dead man? I hope not. Moyes has produced an incredible 10 years at Everton, and has done an equally brilliant job at West Ham United, leading the Hammers to their first European trophy in 59 years (and no, the Intertoto Cup doesn’t count). ). Like Hodgson, Moyes’ appeal lies in his ability to consistently overachieve.
11. Claudio Ranieri – Chelsea, Leicester City, Fulham, Watford
Claudio Ranieri’s career and achievements in the Premier League have been somewhat unusual. His time at Fulham and Watford is best forgotten, but did he win the league with Leicester City? I still can’t believe it. That season was a miracle that will never be repeated, but it was definitely a miracle that happened, and Ranieri’s place in the history books was secured. The Italian has also done more than his fair share of work at Chelsea, laying the foundations for the club’s success over the past two decades.
