The EPL has seen some of the most legendary managers in the history of football, each with philosophies that defined their time with the clubs they managed, punctuated by moments of glory.
Since its beginning in 1992, the English top flight has undoubtedly had its share of managers who won trophies, transformed clubs, and inspired fans, bringing new tactical innovations that help shape how the game is played today.
From long-standing legends to brilliant short-term wonders, the Premier League has seen them all.
Each manager on this list is measured by a few key factors:
- Trophies won: Silverware is the clearest sign of success.
- Longevity: Some managers built dynasties, staying long enough to oversee their club’s transformation.
- Success relative to clubs managed: It’s one thing to win at a top club, but success can be even more impressive when achieved at a smaller or struggling club.
With that in mind, here are 10 of the greatest managers in the Premier League.
- 1. Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United
- 2. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
- 3. Arsene Wenger – Arsenal
- 4. Jose Mourinho – Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham
- 5. Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool
- 6. Claudio Ranieri – Chelsea, Leicester, Fulham, Watford
- 7. Roberto Mancini – Manchester City
- 8. Rafa Benitez – Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton
- 9. Antonio Conte – Chelsea, Tottenham
- 10. Kenny Dalglish – Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United
Undeniably, Sir Alex Ferguson is head and shoulders above the rest when considering the success level of managers in the Premier League.
At the time of his arrival in 1986, Manchester United was just limping along, having failed to win a league title since 1967. When he finally retired in 2013, United had won 13 Premier League titles under his guidance.
He built two or three different dynasties at United, adapting his squad and tactics over the years to stay ahead of the competition.
With 49 trophies in total, Ferguson remains the most decorated manager of all time, including two Champions League titles, five FA Cups, and four League Cups. Quite literally, Ferguson was the heartbeat of Manchester United, and his absence has still been felt since retirement.
The famous “hairdryer treatment” by Ferguson was legendary in the locker room, his intense and direct style of player management motivated players to give their best on the pitch at all times.
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2. Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
If Sir Alex set the bar, then Pep Guardiola has brought a new flair and sophistication to managerial excellence in the Premier League.
He made Manchester City unstoppable, actually revolutionizing the dimension of English football with his possession-based style and positional play.
Many were critical that he couldn’t bring in the success that he had built in La Liga and the Bundesliga, but now, with six Premier League titles in eight seasons, plus two FA Cups, four League Cups, and one Champions League, he has managed to silence them.
His method has not only won City trophies but has influenced managers across the globe, with a new benchmark set for attacking football.
Fun fact: Guardiola once said that he would “overthink” some of his tactics ahead of big games. That creativity and experimentation have earned him both success and criticism.
3. Arsene Wenger – Arsenal
When Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal in 1996, he altered how English football considered tactics, fitness, and scouting.
Wenger’s “Invincibles” season of 2003-04, where Arsenal went unbeaten throughout the league campaign, is still considered one of the best feats in the Premier League.
Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups with the North London outfit. Wenger oversaw the construction of a new stadium that would allow Arsenal to remain competitive in the long term.
As Wenger’s tenure drew to a close, he faced growing criticism for failing to win trophies. However, his place as one of the innovators of England’s modern football is already secure.
Curiously enough, Wenger was one of the very first coaches in the history of the game to introduce very strict diets, banning players from junk food like Mars bars and pushing them towards proper nutrition for peak performance.
4. Jose Mourinho – Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham
Few managers have impacted the Premier League as much as he did, and with him came that little bit of swagger, too-the “Special One.”
Avowedly confident, he was chock-full of tactical brilliance when he arrived at Chelsea in 2004 and went on to win back-to-back league titles in the first two seasons.
His teams were always built on a solid backline, and he was never above parking the bus to get results. He won another league title in his second spell at Chelsea in 2015 and also won silverware with Manchester United.
He didn’t do anything like those at Tottenham, but one thing is for sure: he definitely is one of the great minds of the game.
Fun fact: Mourinho famously christened himself the “Special One” upon his arrival, and the line has been referenced many, many times since.
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5. Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool
When Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool in 2015, he had come with the promise of turning what he described as “doubters into believers.” He certainly did just that, transforming Liverpool into a powerhouse that all others fear.
Under his management, Liverpool finally ended the 30-year drought of titles in 2020, and it reached the Champions League finals twice, winning once in 2019.
Klopp’s “heavy metal football,” characterized by high pressing and relentless energy, won Liverpool its first Premier League title and revived the spirit at Anfield.
As much as any manager this side of the millennium, his effect has been cultural, as it has been trophies, and his legacy at Liverpool will outlive him when he does eventually move on.
6. Claudio Ranieri – Chelsea, Leicester, Fulham, Watford
From the lows to highs, Claudio Ranieri’s career in the Premier League culminated with the crowning glory that was Leicester City back in 2016- nothing less than a fairy tale.
Ranieri took the team, which was supposed to be in a relegation dogfight, and turned them into a solid team that defied the 5000-to-1 odds of becoming the Premier League champions.
This may arguably be termed the most incredible achievement in the history of the Premier League as Leicester, spearheaded by the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, won the title.
While Ranieri’s spell with other clubs was not as successful, the legacy of him at Leicester is forever.
Fun fact: Leicester City supporters would buy Ranieri a pizza every time his Leicester keeper kept a clean sheet; a rather peculiar return of admiration he received from the club and its fans.
7. Roberto Mancini – Manchester City
It was Roberto Mancini who finally ended Manchester City’s long wait for silverware, setting them on the road to success that they enjoy today.
Under Mancini, City won the FA Cup in 2011, their first major honor for more than three decades, and followed that up with an unforgettable last-day Premier League title win in 2012.
The intense leadership laid down by Mancini augured well for the development of City into a modern football powerhouse and helped the club assert itself as a force to reckon with in English football.
Fun Fact: The picture of Sergio Agüero’s last-gasp winner against QPR in 2012, which sealed City’s first league title, is one of the memorable moments of the Premier League.
8. Rafa Benitez – Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton
Benitez brought discipline and tactical organization to Liverpool upon his arrival in 2004, and the European success was instantaneous.
It was under Benitez that Liverpool sealed one of their best triumphs ever: an epic 2005 Champions League win over AC Milan won on penalties after being down 3-0 at halftime.
Benitez further won the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and even managed to send Chelsea into the Europa League during his interim tenure. His defensive approach did not always make him a fan favorite, but he is widely respected for his tactical acumen and big-game credentials.
Known for his “zonal marking” system on set pieces, the tactical methods of Benitez sometimes came under fire but mostly succeeded, hence his successes.
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9. Antonio Conte – Chelsea, Tottenham
The Premier League tenure of Antonio Conte was short but full of action.
The Italian came into an ailing Chelsea and led them to the league title in his maiden season front of an incredible 93-point haul.
Known for his obsessive attention to detail and tactical discipline, Conte’s 3-4-3 system worked wonders, while he led Chelsea to another FA Cup win before leaving.
He did not repeat such heroics with Tottenham, yet he is well-deserved for his reputation as a tactical genius and disciplinarian.
Fun fact: Conte has gained infamy for his intense energy on the sidelines, yelling and gesticulating violently during games.
10. Kenny Dalglish – Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool
While Kenny Dalglish may be more famous for what he did before, his impact on the Premier League was immense.
In 1995, Dalglish won Blackburn Rovers their first-ever Premier League title in one of the standout achievements of the league thus far. Later, with Liverpool, he won the League Cup in 2012.
Though his time in the Premier League was not as filled with as many trophies as his earlier times, Dalglish will be remembered as a manager of excellence and great leadership.
An interesting fact about Dalglish is that at Liverpool in the 1980s, he was one of the very few player-managers at such a high level.
Honorable Mentions
Besides these ten, other managers contributed immensely to the Premier League:
- David Moyes: Even though he struggled at Manchester United, his work at Everton and recent resurgence with West Ham has been impressive.
- Harry Redknapp: With charisma, he knows how to bring out the best in his players, having enjoyed successful stints in charge of clubs like Tottenham and Portsmouth.
