Ranking the greatest Premier League managers, several key factors must be considered to determine their overall impact and success. This ranking isn’t just about the number of trophies won but also includes the long-term influence they had on their teams, the innovations they brought to the game, and how they adapted to different challenges over time. Longevity and consistency play a crucial role, as managers who built dynasties and sustained success over several seasons are rated highly. However, tactical brilliance, the ability to inspire players, and moments of exceptional achievement (such as guiding underdog teams to unexpected success) also weigh heavily.
Thus, this ranking balances trophy hauls, tactical evolution, influence on the league, legacy, and overall managerial impact on both their teams and English football as a whole. Managers who were able to transform the fortunes of their clubs, introduce innovative footballing ideas, or create long-lasting cultural shifts are considered alongside those with the most silverware.
15. Kevin Keegan
• Clubs Managed: Newcastle United, Manchester City
• Achievements: Keegan’s “Entertainers” at Newcastle United came close to winning the title in the 1995–96 season. Although he didn’t win a Premier League title, his teams played attacking, thrilling football that left a lasting mark on the league.
14. David Moyes
• Clubs Managed: Everton, Manchester United, West Ham
• Achievements: While he didn’t win the Premier League title, Moyes’ work at Everton made him a respected manager, consistently finishing in the top half on a limited budget. His resurgence at West Ham has further solidified his legacy, leading them to European football.
13. Mauricio Pochettino
• Clubs Managed: Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea
• Achievements: Known for developing young talent and playing attractive football, Pochettino took Tottenham Hotspur to new heights, including a runner-up finish in the 2016–17 season and reaching the Champions League final in 2019. His tactical acumen and ability to build strong teams without extravagant spending are commendable.
12. Claudio Ranieri
• Clubs Managed: Chelsea, Leicester City, Fulham, Watford
• Achievements: Ranieri’s unforgettable achievement was guiding Leicester City to the 2015–16 Premier League title in one of the greatest underdog stories in football history. Although his overall Premier League tenure was mixed, this feat alone secures his place in history.
11. Thomas Tuchel
• Clubs Managed: Chelsea
• Achievements: Tuchel made an immediate impact at Chelsea when he took over in January 2021, guiding the club to a UEFA Champions League title just a few months later. While he didn’t win the Premier League, Tuchel’s Chelsea were highly competitive, finishing in the top four in his first season and reaching multiple domestic and European finals (including the FA Cup and League Cup). His tactical flexibility, defensive organization, and ability to get the best out of players in high-pressure situations were key to his success at Chelsea.
10. Brendan Rodgers
• Clubs Managed: Swansea City, Liverpool, Leicester City
• Achievements: Rodgers led Liverpool to a near-miss in the 2013–14 Premier League title race and later secured FA Cup glory with Leicester City in 2021. His tactical flexibility and ability to improve squads make him one of the most respected managers in the league.
9. Carlo Ancelotti
• Clubs Managed: Chelsea, Everton
• Achievements: Ancelotti is one of the most decorated managers in world football, and his time at Chelsea was highly successful. He led Chelsea to a Premier League title and FA Cup double in the 2009–10 season, with his team playing some of the most entertaining football in the league. At Chelsea, Ancelotti’s calm demeanor and tactical flexibility allowed him to get the best out of star players, achieving 103 goals in their title-winning season. His tenure at Everton, though less successful in terms of trophies, showed his ability to improve clubs with limited resources.
8. Mikel Arteta
• Clubs Managed: Arsenal
• Achievements: They ultimately came up short in the Premier League in 2022/23 and 2023/24; coming second with 84 and then 89 points is simply astonishing. In any other era, he would have a title by now.. He guided Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 2020, defeating Chelsea, and has been instrumental in returning Arsenal to being competitive at the top of the Premier League. His focus on a balanced, possession-based style and rebuilding Arsenal’s culture has earned him widespread respect. In the 2022–23 season, he led Arsenal to a second-place finish after challenging for the title.
7. Roberto Mancini
• Clubs Managed: Manchester City
• Achievements: Mancini ended Manchester City’s long wait for a Premier League title in the dramatic 2011–12 season. His work laid the foundation for the club’s subsequent dominance, making him a pivotal figure in their transformation into a footballing powerhouse.
6. Antonio Conte
• Clubs Managed: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur
• Achievements: Conte won the Premier League in his debut season (2016–17) with Chelsea, revolutionizing the English game with his 3-4-3 formation. His tactical expertise and demanding nature brought instant success, making him one of the top managers of the modern Premier League era.
• Clubs Managed: Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
• Achievements: Mourinho won three Premier League titles with Chelsea (2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15) and is widely regarded as one of the most tactically astute managers in Premier League history. His “special one” persona, defensive organization, and ability to win silverware make him an iconic figure in the league’s history.
4. Jürgen Klopp
• Clubs Managed: Liverpool
• Achievements: Klopp transformed Liverpool into a powerhouse, leading them to their first Premier League title in 30 years in the 2019–20 season, finishing with 99 points. Under his management, Liverpool also reached multiple Champions League finals, winning in 2019. Klopp’s intense pressing style (Gegenpressing) and ability to inspire his players have made him one of the best managers in modern football. His charisma and long-term vision for the club also helped turn Liverpool into one of the most exciting teams in Europe.
3. Arsène Wenger
• Clubs Managed: Arsenal
• Achievements: Wenger revolutionized English football, bringing new training methods, diets, and a more technical style of play. His Arsenal team went undefeated in the 2003–04 season, earning the “Invincibles” tag. He won three Premier League titles and was a trailblazer for foreign managers in England.
2. Pep Guardiola
• Clubs Managed: Manchester City
• Achievements: Guardiola’s arrival at Manchester City transformed the club into one of the best sides the Premier League has ever seen. With four Premier League titles (2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22), including a record-breaking 100-point season, his emphasis on possession football and relentless attacking has raised the standards of the entire league.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson
• Clubs Managed: Manchester United
• Achievements: With 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies, Sir Alex Ferguson is by far the most successful manager in Premier League history. His ability to continually rebuild winning teams and dominate English football for two decades makes him the greatest manager the league has ever seen. His tactical adaptability, leadership, and unparalleled winning mentality set the standard for all other managers to follow.
