From dramatic title races to unforgettable moments, the Premier League has long been regarded as the pinnacle of football.
Behind every great team, however, is a manager carefully pulling the strings. Some have dominated, winning title after title, while others have redefined the way football is played.
Rivalries between legendary managers have only made things more intense, defining the league’s greatest eras.
With that said, here are the 10 greatest managers in Premier League history.
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Top 10 Premier League managers ranked
From tactical masterminds to serial winners, these managers have left a lasting mark on the Premier League.
10) Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City and West Ham)
Manuel Pellegrini was the first manager to bring a free-flowing attacking style to Manchester City. He delivered the club’s second league title, scoring 102 league goals in the process.
His initial success at City and attractive brand of football earns him a spot at number 10.
9) Rafael Benitez (Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton)
Though best remembered for his Champions League triumph, Rafael Benitez was a tactical mastermind. His attention to detail made Liverpool consistent in the Premier League, finishing in the top four season after season.
How do you win the Champions League? By doing well in the Premier League and earns him spot number nine.
8) Roberto Mancini (Manchester City)
Roberto Mancini turned Manchester City into title winners and ended their long wait for silverware. He led them to their first Premier League title in 2012, sealing it with one of the most dramatic moments in football history. That moment alone is enough to secure spot number 8.
7) Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea and Everton)
A serial winner who made Chelsea unstoppable. His 2009/10 side set a then-record of 103 goals, winning the league with attacking flair. ‘Don Carlo’ will go down as arguably one of the greatest managers ever but in terms of the Premier League, seventh position it is.
6) Claudio Ranieri (Chelsea, Leicester, Fulham and Watford)
The man behind one of the greatest underdog stories in football. No one gave Leicester City a chance, but he defied the odds, delivering the most unlikely Premier League title in history. Ranieri speaks four languages, but that’s not why he’s seated amongst the greats.
It was his miracle season in 2015/16 that cemented his place amongst the greats, a moment that will forever be remembered in Premier League history.
5) Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
The man who restored Liverpool’s glory. Jurgen Klopp took over a struggling side, transformed them into relentless winners, and ended their 30-year wait for a title.
Had it not been for Pep Guardiola’s brilliance, Klopp would have been much further up on this list. Nonetheless, a worthy holder of position number 5.
4) Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham)
The ‘Special One’ who took the Premier League by storm. Jose Mourinho arrived in England and immediately delivered back-to-back league titles with Chelsea before returning almost a decade later to win one more.
His third and fourth comings didn’t exactly live up to the billing however, what he did at Chelsea engraves his name in Premier League history.
3) Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
The man who changed English football forever. Arsene Wenger lifted three Premier League titles and built the legendary ‘Invincibles’.
His rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson defined the late 90s and early 2000s. Their battles made the Premier League even more intense, pushing both managers to their limits. Wenger was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, joining Ferguson in 2023.
2) Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola has taken Premier League dominance to new levels. Despite City’s recent struggles, it’s impossible to deny the greatness of the man.
He has won six Premier League titles with Manchester City, including an unprecedented treble in 2022-23. No manager has controlled the league quite like his City side, with his six titles coming in the last seven years.
It’s not just about the triumphs but the football has equally been top-tier.
1) Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)
Sir Alex Ferguson narrowly edges Guardiola as the greatest Premier League manager, thanks to his longevity and ability to rebuild winning teams.
His presence alone commanded respect, and his aura on the touchline was unmatched. He could find a way to win with or without stars.
He won 13 Premier League titles at Manchester United. Ferguson didn’t just dominate the Premier League, he helped shape it into the global powerhouse it is today.
The Premier League has been home to some of the greatest managerial minds in football history. From Ferguson’s dominance to Guardiola’s tactical revolution, it’s going to be interesting to see who’s the next manager to climb the ladder.
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