Football, a beautiful sport, has witnessed the rise of many illustrious figures and left an indelible mark in history. Among them are master tacticians, charismatic leaders and relentless winners who have shaped the landscape of the sport. Delving into the annals of football, bestsoccertips explores the stories of the 10 manager with most trophies in football to ever lead a team. From the legendary reign of Sir Alex Ferguson to the enigmatic presence of José Mourinho, each of these individuals has charted their own path to greatness, amassing countless honors and awards. amazed along the way. Join bestsoccertips as we explore the journey of these football giants, whose legacies continue to inspire and amaze in equal measure.
Top 10 the most successful managers in football history
1. Alex Ferguson (49 titles won)
The greatest manager of all time – this man needs no introduction, does he? With an endless list of titles behind him, Ferguson’s finest hour came at Old Trafford, where he guided the Red Devils to an incredible 38 trophies over 27 years, most notably their iconic treble-winning campaign in the 1998/99 season.
The beloved Scottish player-turned-manager landed the job after European success at Aberdeen and arguably lived up to expectations if you glance past his rocky inauguration. His significance to the club – not just in terms of silverware – is most evident in their gradual decline since his departure. Guardiola might one day overshadow his trophy count, but that’s surely some time away – if at all.
2. Pep Guardiola (37 titles won)
Guardiola, at just 52, has had a remarkably successful coaching career, amassing a total of 37 incredible trophies. His success has transcended even the loftiest standards and seems merely the beginning of a long journey. With his depth and talent, he’s predicted to rival Sir Alex Ferguson’s top spot in football history for many years to come.
Guardiola isn’t just one of Europe’s longest-serving coaches in the modern era but also an icon of victory and innovation in playstyle. He’s dominated both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, two of Europe’s giants, before moving to the Premier League and overcoming challenges from Jürgen Klopp to succeed in England. Since the 2017/18 season, he’s claimed 5 Premier League titles, solidifying his influence in English football.
3. Mircea Lucescu (35 titles won)
Mircea Lucescu, a managerial journeyman, has found success across Europe with names like Galatasaray, Dynamo Kiev, Inter Milan, and Shakhtar Donetsk. His longest tenure was later when he managed 573 matches over 12 years. During that time, he led them to 8 outstanding domestic titles, 6 Ukrainian Cups, and 7 Ukrainian Super Cups.
As a true icon of Ukrainian football, he continued to lead the team at the age of 78 until November when he officially announced retirement. Dubbed as an underrated manager by GIVEMESPORT in February 2023, Lucescu has garnered 35 major titles for various football clubs.
4. Valeriy Lobanovskyi (30 titles won)
Following his podium of glory, Valeriy Lobanovskyi could only consider himself unlucky to have managed alongside some of the greatest coaches in sports. Interestingly, all 30 of Lobanovskyi’s titles came during three stints with Dynamo Kyiv, where he secured a UEFA Super Cup once, the Ukrainian Premier League five times, became Soviet champions eight times, and more.
He also led the Soviet Union to a runner-up finish in the 1988 UEFA European Championship, thus nearing Lucescu’s tally. Lobanovskyi also endured challenges and anguish in international management throughout his 32-year career with Ukraine, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and the Soviet Union.
5. Ottmar Hitzfeld (28 titles won)
Ottmar Hitzfeld clinched the Champions League twice as a coach: in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund and with Bayern Munich in 2001, thus ranking him 10th in the list of greatest coaches of the premier European competition as of 2020. A true icon in Bavaria, Hitzfeld collected 14 titles with them, including 5 Bundesliga championships.
Now 74 years old, the Lörrach-born boss last played for the Swiss national team, though he couldn’t add to his illustrious cabinet – with two Swiss titles with Grasshopper Club Zurich and a string of honors during his tenure with Bayern’s perennial rivals Borussia Dortmund.
6. Luis Felipe Scolari (26 titles won)
Affectionately called “Big Phil” in Brazil, Luis Felipe Scolari’s greatest success as a coach came in 2002 when he led Brazil to a World Cup victory, also securing a Confederations Cup with his homeland in the 2012/13 season. While never achieving the status of a renowned international world champion, this 75-year-old man has also enjoyed numerous club successes.
Having spent time across the globe with clubs like Gremio, Bunyodkor Tashkent, and Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, Scolari somewhat became a journeyman and is currently experiencing his twilight years at his former clubs. Despite the painful 7-1 defeat to Germany, the seasoned boss is regarded as a legend in Brazilian football.
7. Jock Stein (26 titles won)
On par with Scolari is Celtic legend Jock Stein. Winning the European Cup in 1967, his team was voted the greatest of the 20th century. Stein also clinched 10 Scottish league titles with the giants, including 7 consecutive championships from 1965/66 to 1971/72.
During that dominant period, the Glaswegian giants also excelled in the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup, winning them 8 and 6 times respectively. Stein was the driving force behind it all. He also won the Scottish Cup with Dunfermline Athletic in 1960/61, meaning all but one of his successes came during his time at Celtic.
8. Jose Mourinho (26 titles won)
The issue with José Mourinho is that fans can either love or hate him. Dubbed the ‘Special One’, he secured his 26th trophy as a coach when Roma won the UEFA Conference League for the first time in 2022. The Portuguese player-turned-manager has had deep success in the 21st century, including three Champions League titles with Porto and Inter Milan.
Mourinho broke – and still holds – the record for the fewest games needed to reach 50 Premier League wins with Chelsea, highlighting the impact he made during his time in West London. Leading them to 3 domestic titles, Mourinho’s charisma and personality endeared him to Stamford Bridge faithful. Now at 60, Mourinho is still going strong in the Italian capital and will seek to increase his tally before calling it quits.
9. Carlo Ancelotti (24 titles won)
A calm and composed figure, Carlo Ancelotti has found success with some of Europe’s top teams: AC Milan, PSG, Bayern Munich, and now Real Madrid. Leading Los Blancos has brought him trophies, but this seasoned coach has also won plenty at AC Milan, including two Champions League titles and two UEFA Super Cups.
Setting Everton’s failures aside, it would be remiss to overlook Ancelotti, the third-highest spending manager in football history, as one of the greatest coaches to grace the game. At Madrid, his additions to his list in the coming years are inevitable as they are perennial contenders for the Champions League.
10. Giovanni Trapattoni (23 titles won)
After a successful playing career, notably at AC Milan with two European Cup triumphs in 1963 and 1969, Giovanni Trapattoni decided to transition to the other side of the white line. Becoming a coach, Trapattoni continued to display his talent and influence, not only on the field but also in building and developing teams. This demonstrated he wasn’t just an excellent player but also a steadfast leader committed to football.
One of the few to win the Champions League as both a player and a coach, Trapattoni’s prime coaching period was at Juventus, where he won six Serie A titles and the European Cup in 1985. He also managed AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Benfica. He also led German giants Bayern Munich to domestic glory in the 1996/97 season.
Conclude
In conclusion, the top 10 most successful managers in football history stand as towering figures, each with a unique story of triumph, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. From Alex Ferguson’s unparalleled dominance at Manchester United to José Mourinho’s charismatic leadership on the touchlines, these individuals have left an indelible mark on the beautiful game. Their countless trophies, historic victories, and enduring legacies serve as testaments to their unparalleled dedication and unwavering commitment to success. As we reflect on their achievements, we are reminded of the profound impact they have had on football and the countless lives they have touched with their passion and brilliance. Truly, they are the architects of footballing greatness, and their stories will continue to inspire generations of players, coaches, and fans for years to come.
