Find out the top 10 best football coaches of all time
When discussing the best football coaches of all time, some names stand out for their transformative impact on the sport. Legends like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots redefined success through their unique strategies and leadership. Known for their ability to inspire and innovate, these coaches set standards that continue to shape the game and influence future generations. Let’s find out the top 10 best football coaches of all time with Premiumsoccertips through the following article!
Top 10 greatest NFL coaches of all time
1. Alex Ferguson
According to Thethaoso, Sir Alex Ferguson is a legendary icon of Manchester United and leads the list of the most successful coaches. Born in 1941, Ferguson helped the “Red Devils” secure 13 Premier League titles, setting an unprecedented record and making Manchester United the most decorated club in England with a total of 20 league championships.
Not only did he shine in domestic competitions, but Sir Alex also brought resounding success in European tournaments. Under his leadership, Manchester United won 2 UEFA Champions League titles, creating historic matches that left a lasting mark. Additionally, he led the team to win 1 Europa League, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup, solidifying Manchester United’s global standing. These achievements have made Ferguson one of the greatest managers in football history, and his name will forever be associated with Manchester United’s outstanding successes.
2. Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi is considered the innovator who revolutionized Italian football, bringing a new and creative vision to the game. Born in 1946, Sacchi left a lasting mark not only with clubs but also with the national team. He led Italy to a runner-up finish at the 1994 World Cup, showcasing his tactical prowess and sharp defensive-counterattacking style.
Before this, Sacchi achieved notable success at the club level. He won a Serie C1 title, a Serie A title, an Italian Super Cup, and, most notably, two European Cup titles with AC Milan, alongside two European Super Cups and one Intercontinental Cup. These achievements not only underscored his talent but also established AC Milan as a powerhouse in European football during that era.
Sacchi is renowned for integrating the Dutch “Total Football” philosophy into Italian football, yet he went further by transforming it into a full-field pressing style with sharp, quick counterattacks. This approach has inspired many modern teams, including Manchester City and Liverpool, known for their aggressive pressing and game control. Sacchi truly left a significant legacy, advancing Italian football and becoming a global tactical icon.
3. Rinus Michels
Rinus Michels is considered the pioneer of “Total Football” and a legend in world football. Born in 1928, Michels revolutionized the way of playing, introducing a philosophy that required players to move flexibly, switch positions, and always control space. This style was not only tactical but also a comprehensive philosophy, requiring every player to contribute in both attack and defense.
Michels’ coaching career was brilliant with impressive achievements. He helped the Netherlands win the Euro 1988, marking the first major international title in the history of football in this country. At club level, Michels was a resounding success with Ajax and Barcelona. He helped Ajax win 1 European Cup 1 and 3 Dutch National Cups (KNVB Cup), making the team a symbol of Total Football, with overwhelming and creative matches. While at Barcelona, Michels continued to make his mark by winning La Liga, bringing his Total Football philosophy to one of the world’s biggest clubs. Michels’ philosophy has had a profound influence on modern football, becoming the foundation for famous teams such as Barcelona and Ajax today. This style of play continues to inspire generations of coaches, contributing to the building of flexible and effective teams. Michels has left a lasting legacy, affirming his name in football history.
4. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff was not only a great player on the pitch, but also a great strategist who elevated Rinus Michels’ “total football” to an immortal legacy. He transformed this philosophy into a beautiful, technical and completely controlled attacking style of play.
As a coach, Cruyff won many major titles: 1 KNVB Cup, 2 Cup Winners’ Cups, 4 La Liga, 1 Spanish King’s Cup, 3 Spanish Super Cups, 1 European Super Cup and 1 European Cup 1, helping Barcelona reach the top and laying the foundation for the “Barca DNA.”
Cruyff’s philosophy has deeply inspired modern football, strongly influencing generations of coaches and players such as Pep Guardiola. His legacy will always be a great mark in football history.
5. Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola was deeply imbued with Johan Cruyff’s football philosophy and took his attacking style to a new level with “tiki-taka” – a style of play based on ball control and continuous short passes. Under Guardiola, Barcelona reached the peak with 2 Champions League titles, 3 La Liga, 2 Copa del Reys, 3 Spanish Super Cups and 2 European Super Cups.
At Manchester City, Guardiola continued his success in the Premier League, helping the team dominate domestic competitions. He adapted tiki-taka to suit the English football environment, turning Man City into one of the most powerful and effective controlling teams, continuing the legacy that Cruyff left for modern football.
6. Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly is celebrated as a true Liverpool legend, known for his transformative impact on the club. When he took charge, Liverpool was a struggling lower-league team. Through his leadership and vision, he elevated Liverpool into a competitive force in English football. His contributions laid the foundation for the club’s enduring success and legacy.
During his coaching career at Anfield, Shankly helped Liverpool win 1 Championship, 2 FA Cups, 3 Premier Leagues, 1 UEFA Cup and 3 FA Charity Shields, turning the club into one of England’s top clubs and leaving an indelible legacy in football history.
7. Zinedine Zidane
After Rafa Benitez left Real Madrid in the middle of the 2015/2016 season, Zinedine Zidane unexpectedly took over the role of head coach. In just a short time, Zidane completely changed the face of the team and wrote a glorious chapter for Los Blancos.
In just half a year, Zidane turned an unstable Real Madrid into an unbeatable team for many years. He and the Royal team set an unprecedented record, winning 3 consecutive C1 Cups. In addition, Zidane also helped Real Madrid conquer 2 La Liga, 2 European Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 2 Spanish Super Cups, affirming his name as one of the greatest coaches in the club’s history.
8. Jose Mourinho
Today, José Mourinho is often labeled as “outdated” due to his defensive, conservative approach to football. Yet, it is undeniable that he stands among the greatest strategists in the history of the game. While his style frequently attracts criticism for its focus on solidity and cautious play, Mourinho possesses a unique ability to build resilient teams and secure victories, even under the most challenging circumstances. His philosophy, though sometimes viewed as less thrilling, is grounded in stability and effectiveness — qualities that have earned him enduring respect and admiration within coaching circles.
Every team Mourinho has led has seen success and trophies. From Porto, where he won the Champions League, to Chelsea with multiple Premier League titles, and Inter Milan with a historic treble, Mourinho always finds a way to bring home glory. At Real Madrid, although he didn’t secure a Champions League title, he still helped the team win significant trophies. Even at Manchester United, he brought the club the Europa League and the League Cup. However, Tottenham stands as the only case where he couldn’t lead the team to any titles during his tenure.
9. Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp first gained widespread attention when he led Borussia Dortmund to break Bayern Munich’s long-standing dominance in the Bundesliga. His tactical prowess and energetic approach helped Dortmund become one of the most formidable teams in Germany, as they won back-to-back Bundesliga titles under his guidance. Klopp’s success was not just about the titles he won; it was also about the playing style he introduced. He is widely credited with developing and popularizing “gegenpressing” — an intense counter-pressing tactic that focuses on immediately applying pressure to regain possession right after losing the ball. This high-energy approach, combined with quick transitional play, transformed Dortmund into a team that could compete with the very best.
When Klopp took the reins at Liverpool, his “gegenpressing” philosophy reached new heights. Anfield became a fortress, and Liverpool’s playing style became synonymous with high tempo, relentless pressure, and fierce counter-attacking. Klopp’s tactical vision transformed Liverpool, helping the team rise back to the pinnacle of European football. Under his management, Liverpool secured several major trophies, starting with the UEFA Champions League, which they won in 2019, marking a return to European glory. Following this success, Liverpool went on to claim the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, solidifying their position as one of the top clubs in world football.
But perhaps the most memorable achievement came when Klopp guided Liverpool to their first-ever Premier League title in 2020, ending a 30-year wait for domestic league triumph. This victory cemented Klopp’s legacy at Liverpool, as he brought the club back to the summit of English football through his distinctive and intense style of play.
10. Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti may no longer be on the list of the best coaches today, but his achievements in his career still confirm him as one of the greatest strategists in football history. At AC Milan, Ancelotti helped the team win 2 Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007, and also brought Milan to the top of Serie A, affirming the team’s position for many years.
After moving to Real Madrid, Ancelotti continued to prove his talent when helping the Royal team end the Champions League drought that lasted more than 10 years, with the legendary “Decima”, winning the 10th European championship. Not only was he successful in the continental arena, he also helped Real Madrid win the Spanish King’s Cup after defeating Barcelona, continuing to enhance his massive collection of titles. These successes have confirmed Ancelotti as one of the most outstanding and influential coaches in football history.
Conclusion
When considering the greatest NFL football coach of all time, Bill Belichick is undoubtedly a name that cannot be overlooked. With six Super Bowl championships and a series of remarkable records, he has proven his exceptional talent and strategy season after season. His adaptability in adjusting tactics and building strong rosters has enabled Belichick to maintain sustained success for the New England Patriots over two decades. The legacy he leaves behind is not only in victories but also in his profound influence on coaching methods and team development in the NFL. Without a doubt, Belichick is one of the most legendary figures in the sport.
Post Related
