Football Managers are often the masterminds behind a team’s success. While players may take the spotlight, it’s the coaches who coordinate the strategies, manage the egos, and inspire the team to achieve greatness. As of 2024, the following are the top 10 football coaches who have accumulated the most official titles in history.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – 49 Titles
Clubs Managed: Aberdeen, Manchester United
Key Achievements: 13 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, 5 FA Cups
Sir Alex Ferguson stands alone at the top with an astonishing 49 official titles to his name. The Scottish manager is best known for his legendary tenure at Manchester United, where he transformed the club into a global powerhouse. His ability to rebuild teams and sustain success over two decades is unmatched, and his 13 Premier League titles remain a record.
2. Mircea Lucescu – 39 Titles
Clubs Managed: Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Galatasaray
Key Achievements: 8 Ukrainian Premier League titles, 1 UEFA Cup
Mircea Lucescu, the Romanian tactician, has enjoyed a remarkably successful career, particularly in Eastern Europe. His long stint with Shakhtar Donetsk was highlighted by eight Ukrainian league titles and a UEFA Cup victory in 2009. Known for his eye for talent and ability to develop young players, Lucescu’s 39 titles put him among the elite in football history.
3. Pep Guardiola – 39 Titles
Clubs Managed: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City
Key Achievements: 6 Premier League titles, 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 Bundesliga titles
Pep Guardiola has revolutionized modern football with his tactical innovations and emphasis on possession-based play. With 39 titles to his name, the Spaniard has consistently won silverware at every club he has managed. His time at Manchester City has been particularly fruitful, where he has dominated English football, adding to his already impressive haul from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
4. Valeriy Lobanovskyi – 29 Titles
Clubs Managed: Dynamo Kyiv, USSR national team
Key Achievements: 13 Soviet Top League titles, 2 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups
Valeriy Lobanovskyi is a name synonymous with tactical genius. The Ukrainian coach was a pioneer of the pressing game and used his scientific approach to football to great effect at Dynamo Kyiv. His 29 titles, which include 13 Soviet Top League championships and two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups, are a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport.
5. Jock Stein – 26 Titles
Clubs Managed: Celtic, Scotland national team
Key Achievements: 10 Scottish League titles, 1 European Cup
Jock Stein made history by leading Celtic to become the first British club to win the European Cup in 1967. His 26 titles, primarily won during his time with Celtic, have cemented his status as one of the greatest managers in football history. Stein’s ability to build cohesive teams and his success on the European stage have left a lasting impact on the game.
6. José Mourinho – 26 Titles
Clubs Managed: Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Roma, Fenerbahçe
Key Achievements: 2 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 Premier League titles, 2 Serie A titles
José Mourinho, the self-proclaimed “Special One,” has been a serial winner throughout his career. Known for his tactical acumen and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, Mourinho has won 26 titles, including two UEFA Champions League trophies with Porto and Inter Milan. His success across multiple leagues has established him as one of football’s most decorated managers.
7. Ottmar Hitzfeld – 25 Titles
Clubs Managed: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Switzerland national team
Key Achievements: 2 UEFA Champions League titles, 7 Bundesliga titles
Ottmar Hitzfeld’s managerial career is highlighted by his success in the Bundesliga, where he won seven league titles with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. His ability to lead teams to European glory, winning two UEFA Champions League titles, has solidified his reputation as one of the top coaches in football history.
8. Luiz Felipe Scolari – 25 Titles
Clubs Managed: Brazil national team, Palmeiras, Guangzhou Evergrande, Chelsea
Key Achievements: 1 FIFA World Cup, 5 Brazilian league titles, 7 Chinese Super League titles
Luiz Felipe Scolari, affectionately known as “Big Phil,” is best remembered for leading Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002. His career has spanned continents, with success in South America, Europe, and Asia. Scolari’s 25 titles include domestic league triumphs in Brazil and China, as well as international honors with Brazil.
9. Carlo Ancelotti – 24 Titles
Clubs Managed: AC Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich
Key Achievements: 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 1 Premier League title, 1 Serie A title
Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most respected and successful managers in football, known for his calm demeanor and tactical versatility. Ancelotti has won 24 titles, including four UEFA Champions League titles, making him one of the most decorated managers in European football. His ability to adapt to different leagues and cultures has been key to his enduring success.
10. Giovanni Trapattoni – 23 Titles
Clubs Managed: Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Italy national team
Key Achievements: 7 Serie A titles, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Cup
Giovanni Trapattoni, known as “Il Trap,” is a legendary figure in Italian football. His managerial career includes seven Serie A titles and a UEFA Champions League victory with Juventus. Trapattoni’s 23 titles reflect his tactical prowess and his ability to maintain success over several decades.
