The Premier League is not only a playground for the world’s top stars but also a place to affirm the talents of great tactical minds. Throughout the history of the tournament, there have been coaches who have changed the landscape of English football, leaving their mark with distinctive philosophies and resounding success. They not only brought titles but also shaped the style of play, created thrilling races and raised the tournament to a new level. Today, with Bestsoccertips, let’s explore the top 10 best Premier League managers through the article below!
Top 10 best Premier League managers
Top 10: Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t have as many trophies as many other managers, but his mark on the Premier League is impressive. Under his leadership, Tottenham Hotspur became one of the most consistent and distinctive teams in the league, despite a limited transfer budget compared to its competitors. Since taking over the “Rooster” in 2014, Pochettino quickly helped the London team become a regular candidate for the top 4, something that was not easy to do before. With a high pressing philosophy, a fast-paced style of play and a strong emphasis on discipline, Tottenham under him was a formidable team, capable of competing on equal terms with the big names in English football.
The 2018/19 season marked an important milestone in Pochettino’s career when he led Tottenham to the Champions League final – the first time in the club’s history. The semi-final second leg against Ajax was one of the most memorable, as Spurs came from behind to win the game thanks to a Lucas Moura hat-trick to reach the final. Despite losing to Liverpool in the final, Tottenham’s journey under Pochettino has been highly praised. He has not only helped the team reach new heights but has also developed many stars such as Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dele Alli. Despite being sacked in 2019, Pochettino is still considered one of the most influential coaches in the Premier League with his modern football philosophy and ability to optimize talent in the squad.
Top 9: Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte quickly made his mark in the Premier League, helping Chelsea win the title in his first season in charge in 2016/17. Under the Italian tactician, Chelsea showed their superior strength, winning 93 points and ending the season with 30 wins, setting a new Premier League record at the time. One of Conte’s biggest highlights was the decision to switch to a 3-4-3 formation after the defeat to Arsenal at the start of the season. Since then, Chelsea have become invincible with a streak of 13 consecutive wins, creating an important premise for them to win the championship. Stars such as Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and N’Golo Kanté have all been in top form under Conte, helping Chelsea control the game and defeat all opponents.
Despite being sacked after the 2017/18 season, Conte still managed to help Chelsea win the FA Cup before leaving the club. Despite only having two seasons in England, he left a big impact with his disciplined football philosophy, flexible tactical operation and especially his success with the 3-defender formation. Many teams later learned and applied this tactical system in the Premier League. After leaving Chelsea, Conte continued to affirm his talent when he led Inter Milan to the Serie A championship and then had a period of leading Tottenham Hotspur. He is considered one of the coaches with the best tactical thinking in modern football.
Top 8: Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish is not only a Liverpool legend but also one of the most successful coaches in the Premier League. He caused a big surprise when he helped Blackburn Rovers win the Premier League title in the 1994/95 season, defeating Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in a dramatic race. Under Dalglish’s leadership, Blackburn built an effective attacking style of play with the brilliance of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, the striker duo who contributed greatly to the team’s championship. This was also the first and only time in Blackburn’s history that they won the top flight of English football.
Before his success with Blackburn, Dalglish had a period of leading Liverpool from 1985 to 1991, winning many important titles, including 3 English championships. After leaving Blackburn, he continued working at Newcastle United and returned to lead Liverpool in 2011-2012, helping the team win the League Cup. Although not as long-term with the Premier League as Sir Alex or Wenger, Dalglish is still recognized as one of the best managers in the history of the tournament, especially with his feat with Blackburn Rovers.
Top 7: Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri will forever be remembered for the greatest feat in Premier League history when he helped Leicester City win the 2015/16 season. Under his leadership, the “Foxes” from a team that was considered at risk of relegation created a fairy tale, defeating a series of big teams to win the championship with 81 points, 10 points ahead of Arsenal. Effective counter-attacking defense, tactical discipline and strong fighting spirit helped Leicester do the unthinkable. Stars like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté all shone brightly under Ranieri’s hand.
Before creating miracles in England, Ranieri had experience coaching many big clubs in Europe, including Juventus, AS Roma, Valencia, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. Although he was not always successful, he was highly regarded for his tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to different football environments. His title win with Leicester cemented his place in Premier League history and made him a symbol of footballing wonder.
Top 6: Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp is one of the best managers in Premier League history, who has brought Liverpool back to the top after many years of waiting. Since taking over the Anfield team in 2015, he has quickly built a strong squad, playing fast football, high-intensity pressing and high energy. In the 2018/19 season, Klopp’s Liverpool reached 97 points in the Premier League – the highest number of points ever achieved by a runner-up team. Despite losing to Manchester City in the championship race, they ended the season with the Champions League title, defeating Tottenham 2-0 in the final to bring Liverpool their 6th European title.
Klopp did not stop there, continuing to help Liverpool dominate English football in the 2019/20 season with the first Premier League title after 30 years of waiting. His team won 99 points, demonstrating superior strength and versatile attacking play. Under Klopp, Liverpool have not only won trophies but have also developed an engaging style of play that has made them one of the most exciting teams in the world. Stars such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk have all become world class under his guidance, helping Liverpool return to the top of Europe.
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Top 5: Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez is one of the best Premier League managers ever, especially during his time in charge of Liverpool from 2004 to 2010. In his first season, he helped the “Red Brigade” win the 2004/05 Champions League with a classic comeback against AC Milan, one of the greatest moments in European football history. Liverpool under Benitez played disciplined, well-organized football and were always a tough opponent in every arena. However, despite many fierce competitions, he could not help the team win the Premier League, with the 2008/09 season being the closest when Liverpool finished second behind Manchester United.
In addition to Liverpool, Benitez also had a period of time as interim manager of Chelsea in the 2012/13 season and helped the team win the Europa League. He has also worked at Newcastle, Everton and many other big clubs, demonstrating his tactical understanding and ability to adapt to different football environments. Although he did not win the Premier League title, he is still highly regarded for his sharp tactical thinking, effective personnel management and meticulous preparation before each match. Benitez’s career is a testament to his perseverance, in-depth knowledge and great influence on English football.
Top 4: Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is one of the best coaches in Premier League history, with a special mark in two periods leading Chelsea. When he arrived in England in 2004, he confidently declared himself “The Special One” and quickly proved it. In his first two seasons, Mourinho helped Chelsea win 2 consecutive Premier League titles (2004/05, 2005/06), ending the dominance of Manchester United and Arsenal. His team stood out with a tight, disciplined and pragmatic defensive style, helping Chelsea become a real force in English football.
Although his time leading Manchester United was not very successful, Mourinho still managed to win the Europa League and League Cup, and at the same time led the Red Devils to a second-place finish in the Premier League in 2017/18. After leaving Old Trafford, he had time to lead Tottenham and AS Roma before taking a break from coaching. Wherever he goes, Mourinho leaves his mark with his strong personality, sharp tactical philosophy and ability to make his team difficult to beat.
Top 3: Arsene Wenger
Arsène Wenger is one of the greatest coaches in Premier League history, with 23 years at Arsenal, second only to Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of time spent in charge of a team. He turned the Gunners into a real force, winning 3 Premier League titles, including the 2003/04 unbeaten season – a feat that has never been repeated by any team. Under Wenger, Arsenal played beautiful attacking football, emphasizing technique and ball control, helping the London team build its own identity.
Although the last 3 years were not as successful as before, Wenger still left a deep mark on the history of Arsenal and English football. He was the one who laid the foundations for the long-term development of the team, from smart transfer policies to building the Emirates Stadium, ensuring a solid financial future. 828 Premier League matches not only marked the titles but also affirmed Wenger as one of the most influential managers in the history of the tournament.
Top 2: Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola faced a lot of pressure when he accepted to lead Manchester City in 2016, especially after his first season only finishing third in the Premier League. Many were skeptical about his ability to adapt to English football, but Pep quickly proved his class by building a Man City with perfect ball possession, high pressing and tactical flexibility. In the 2017/18 season, he helped Man City win the championship with 100 points – an unprecedented record in the history of the tournament. The following season, his team continued to defend the title with 98 points, surpassing Liverpool in a thrilling race.
Not only did he bring home the title, Pep also changed the face of English football by imposing a philosophy of controlling the game, forcing opponents to change to compete. He promoted a series of stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and developed Man City into a real winning machine. Under his leadership, the Etihad Stadium team has not only dominated English football but also become a leading candidate in the Champions League. At 48, Pep is not only one of the best coaches in the world but also the man who has reshaped the Premier League in an unprecedented way.
Top 1: Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest coach in Premier League history, not only because of his record number of titles but also because of his profound influence on Manchester United and English football. Under his leadership from 1986 to 2013, the “Red Devils” won a total of 13 Premier League titles, 2 Champions Leagues, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup and 1 European Super Cup. He transformed Man United from a struggling team into a dominant force in English football for more than two decades, overcoming all challenges from opponents such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City. His career is associated with miraculous comebacks, thrilling championship races and a fighting spirit that never gives up, which has made the brand of Man United under his reign.
Despite the upheavals of modern football, Sir Alex has always maintained stability thanks to his philosophy of building a squad from a solid foundation. He put his faith in young talent, creating the legendary “generation of 92” with names like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and the Neville brothers. In addition, he also knew how to exploit the potential of superstars like Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, helping them reach the peak of their careers. His ability to change tactics flexibly, his sharp psychology and his art of managing people have helped him maintain his dominance, even as football has developed. At the age of 77, although he has retired, Sir Alex Ferguson is still an immortal monument of Manchester United, a great symbol of the Premier League and an example for all coaches in the world.
To Wrap It Up
The above list showcases the top 10 best Premier League managers, tactical masterminds who not only secured silverware but also reshaped the landscape of English football. They introduced innovative strategies, built legendary teams, and fueled intense rivalries that elevated the league to new heights. Each had a unique approach, yet all left a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations and continuing to shape the ever-evolving story of English football.
