Best Football Managers of All Time: The Ultimate Top 10 List
by Maivizhi A | Updated Apr 13, 2023
Best Football Managers of All Time
Football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life for millions of fans around the world. And at the heart of every great team is a great manager. A manager who can motivate and inspire their players to achieve greatness, who can develop winning strategies and tactics, and who can lead their team to victory against all odds.
Over the years, there have been countless football managers who have made their mark on the sport, but there are a select few who stand out above the rest. These are the managers who have won numerous titles and accolades, who have revolutionized the way the game is played, and who have left an indelible mark on the footballing world.
From legendary coaches who have led their teams to unprecedented success, to innovators who have transformed the sport with their groundbreaking ideas and tactics, these managers have truly earned their place among the all-time greats.
Whether you're a die-hard fan of the beautiful game or just a casual observer, the stories of these managers are sure to inspire and amaze you. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be blown away by the incredible achievements of the best football managers of all time.
Top 10 Best Football Managers of All Time
Here is the Top 10 list of Best Football Managers of all time in the World with the clubs they served.
1
Sir Alex Ferguson
Manchester United
2
Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and PSG and others.
3
Jose Mourinho
Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Inter Milan.
4
Arsene Wenger
Arsenal
5
Pep Guardiola
Manchester City
6
Giovanni Trapattoni
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.
7
Antonio Conte
Inter Milan
8
Manuel Pellegrini
Real Madrid, Manchester City
9
Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool FC
10
Roberto Mancini
Manchester City and Inter Milan
S.No
Coaches/Managers
Teams/Clubs of the Managers
Let us see each one of the Football Managers in detail.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)
Sir Alex Ferguson is widely considered to be the most successful and influential football manager of all time. He is most well-known for his time as the manager of Manchester United, a position he held for 26 years. However, prior to joining Manchester United, Ferguson was also the manager of the Scottish National team in 1985.
During his time at Manchester United, Ferguson led the team to unprecedented levels of success, with the club winning an incredible 38 major trophies under his management. He was known for his ability to develop and nurture young talent, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney both flourishing under his coaching.
Under Ferguson's leadership, Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League twice, in 1999 and 2008, as well as five FA Cups. His success as a manager was recognized with numerous awards, including being named the World's Best Coach of the 21st century in 2012.
2. Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and PSG and others)
Carlo Ancelotti is a highly accomplished football manager, having managed several high-profile clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and PSG, among others. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful managers in La Liga history. During his career, Ancelotti has won several major titles, including Serie A and Coppa Italia.
He also guided his team to victory in the FIFA World Cup in 2007. For his outstanding achievements as a manager, he was awarded the Serie A Coach of the Year award. Ancelotti's approach to coaching is characterized by his determination and strategic thinking, which have earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the most successful football managers of all time.
His achievements have cemented his place as one of the greatest football managers in history, and he continues to inspire a new generation of coaches with his innovative approach to the sport. Ancelotti's legacy is a testament to the hard work and dedication he has shown throughout his career.
3. Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Inter Milan)
Jose Mourinho is a highly regarded Portuguese football manager who has achieved great success in his career. He has managed several top clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Inter Milan. Mourinho's impressive track record includes winning the Serie A title three times and the UEFA Champions Trophy. He played a pivotal role in leading Real Madrid to victory in the Copa del Rey in 2011.
His contributions as a manager have been recognized with several awards, including the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2005. Throughout his career, Mourinho has earned a reputation as a master tactician and a highly effective manager. His ability to motivate and inspire his players has been instrumental in his success.
Mourinho's innovative approach to the sport has made him one of the most respected football managers in the world today. His achievements have cemented his place among the greatest football managers of all time, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of coaches.
4. Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger is widely regarded as one of the most influential and longest-serving football managers in history, having retired in 2018. He has a number of impressive achievements to his name, including winning the Emperor Cup in 1995 and the J League Super Cup in 1996.
Wenger is perhaps best known for his tenure as the manager of Arsenal, during which time he guided the club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup victories. His exceptional leadership and coaching skills earned him the LMA Manager of the Year award twice during his illustrious career.
Wenger's impact on the sport is immeasurable, and his innovative approach to football management has inspired many other coaches around the world. His legacy continues to be felt in the sport, and he remains one of the most respected and revered figures in football history.
5. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola is a highly successful Spanish football manager who is currently managing Manchester City. He is renowned for his impressive coaching skills and has played a pivotal role in the development of several top footballers, including Lionel Messi, who gained prominence under his guidance.
During his illustrious career, Guardiola has won several major titles, including the La Liga World Cup three times and the Copa twice. He was instrumental in guiding Barcelona to victory in the World Cup in 2009 and 2011. As the manager of Manchester City, his team has won three Premier League trophies and the EFL Cup four times.
Guardiola's tactical expertise and strategic thinking have earned him a reputation as one of the most successful football managers in the world today. His contributions to the sport have been recognized with several awards, and he remains an inspiration to coaches and players alike.
6. Giovanni Trapattoni (AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich)
Giovanni Trapattoni, an Italian football manager, is widely regarded as one of the most successful managers in the world. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has managed clubs across four different European countries, including AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.
Trapattoni's exceptional coaching skills and strategic approach have earned him numerous titles, including six Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia victories. Under his guidance, many teams have also won the Bundesliga and DFB Ligapokal.
Trapattoni's impact on the sport is immeasurable, and his innovative approach to football management has inspired many other coaches around the world. He remains a highly respected figure in the sport, and his contributions to the game will continue to be felt for many years to come.
7. Antonio Conte (Inter Milan)
Antonio Conte, a renowned Italian football manager, led Inter Milan to great success during his tenure as the club's manager until his retirement in 2021. Throughout his illustrious career, he has won the Serie A title three times and led his team to two SuperCoppa Italiana victories.
In addition to his achievements in Italy, Conte also made a significant impact on English football, winning the Premier League trophy with Chelsea in the 2016-2017 season. His impressive coaching skills earned him the title of Best Manager of the Month three times, and he was also named Serie A Coach of the Year on three separate occasions.
Antonio Conte's contributions to the world of football have been significant, and his innovative approach to the sport has inspired many other coaches around the world. His achievements and success as a manager make him one of the most respected figures in the world of football.
8. Manuel Pellegrini (Real Madrid, Manchester City)
Manuel Pellegrini is a renowned football manager from Chile who has led several top-tier football teams to success. In 2009, he was appointed as the manager of Real Madrid, which is considered one of the best football teams in the world. He managed the team for a brief period and since then has gone on to manage several other teams, including La Liga's Real Betis.
Throughout his career, Pellegrini has achieved numerous accolades and has been recognized as one of the best football managers in the world. He has won the Premier League once and the Football League Cup twice during his tenure as the manager of Manchester City. Moreover, he was named the Best Football Manager in 2008.
Pellegrini's success as a football manager can be attributed to his excellent strategic and tactical skills. He has an innate ability to get the best out of his players and his teams are always known for their disciplined and organized play.
9. Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool FC)
Jurgen Klopp is a highly successful German football manager who made a name for himself by leading Liverpool FC to numerous victories. He took charge of Liverpool in 2015 and became the longest-serving manager of the team. Under his guidance, several Liverpool players became well-known and established their reputation in the football world.
Klopp's exceptional coaching skills helped his previous team Borussia Dortmund win two Bundesliga titles in 2011. He was also responsible for leading Dortmund to win the DFL-Super Cup consecutively in 2013 and 2014. Klopp's remarkable coaching abilities were highly admired and appreciated by many, earning him a reputation as one of the best football managers in the world.
10. Roberto Mancini (Manchester City, Inter Milan)
Roberto Mancini is a highly accomplished Italian football manager, known for his impressive track record in the sport. As of 2022, he has an impressive 26 international trophies to his name. He has managed some of the most notable football clubs in the world, including Manchester City and Inter Milan. Since 2018, he has been the manager of the Italian National Football team.
Throughout his career, Mancini has proven to be a highly successful manager. He has won the prestigious Serie A title three times, demonstrating his exceptional leadership and strategic skills. Additionally, he has achieved the highest number of trophies compared to other managers in his field, solidifying his reputation as one of the best football managers of all time.
Who is the Best Football Manager of All Time?
Sir Alex Ferguson is a highly renowned football manager, especially in the UK and within Premier League football, owing to his remarkable 26-year tenure as the manager of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. During his stint at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson led his team to win an impressive 13 Premier Leagues, 5 FA Cups, 4 English League Cups, and 2 Champions Leagues, which makes him one of the most successful coaches in the world of football.
Sir Alex Ferguson's success as a coach can be attributed to his unique personality traits that he displayed throughout his career. He was confident in himself, which instilled trust and respect in his players. Additionally, he was an exceptional leader, thanks to his excellent communication skills, which allowed him to convey his messages effectively and extract the best performances from his players.
Sir Alex Ferguson always maintained high standards, which motivated his players to push their limits and strive for excellence. He was adept at keeping his players motivated year after year to win trophies, a task that can be challenging for coaches. One of his techniques was to keep his players in a little bit of fear of him, which earned him their respect and ensured that they listened to him.
Sir Alex Ferguson was known for his honesty and integrity, which made his players and coaching staff feel valued and appreciated. His admirable qualities earned him the respect of those around him and cemented his position as one of the greatest managers and leaders to grace the English game. Future coaches will undoubtedly look up to him and learn valuable lessons from his experiences.
Best Football Coaches in the World
Football managers play a crucial role in the success of any football team. The best football managers of all time have not only won numerous titles and accolades but have also revolutionized the sport with their innovative ideas and tactics. They have inspired and motivated their players to achieve greatness and have left an indelible mark on the footballing world. From Sir Alex Ferguson's unprecedented success with Manchester United to Arsene Wenger's exceptional leadership at Arsenal, each of these managers has made a significant contribution to the sport. Their legacy continues to inspire and influence future generations of coaches and players alike. It is their dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the game that has earned them a place among the all-time greats of football management.
Best Football Managers of All Time - FAQs
Sir Alex Ferguson is a retired Scottish football manager who is widely considered to be the most successful and influential football manager of all time. He is most well-known for his time as the manager of Manchester United, a position he held for 26 years.
Carlo Ancelotti is a highly accomplished football manager, having managed several high-profile clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and PSG, among others.
A great football manager should possess a range of skills, including strong leadership, tactical knowledge, motivational abilities, and the ability to manage egos and personalities.
Pep Guardiola is a highly successful Spanish football manager who is renowned for his impressive coaching skills. During his illustrious career, Guardiola has won several major titles, including the La Liga World Cup three times and the Copa twice.
Antonio Conte is an Italian football manager who is currently managing Inter Milan. He has previously managed several high-profile clubs, including Chelsea and Juventus.