Roll call 10 best Premier League managers ever

Determining the greatest managers in Premier League history is not simply based on the number of trophies they have won, although this is still the most important measure of success. Great managers leave their mark not only with titles but also by the way they shape the style of play, improve their teams and have a profound impact on the tournament. Some managers have dominated with many trophies, while others have created memorable fairytales that defy all predictions. Below are the top 10 best premier league managers ever shared by Premiumsoccertips, let’s take a look!

Top 10 best Premier League managers ever

Top 10: Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp is one of the best Premier League managers, known for his open, attacking style and ability to build teams out of adversity. In a career spanning decades, he has led teams such as West Ham, Portsmouth, Tottenham, QPR and Southampton, leaving a deep mark with memorable achievements. Not only did he help Portsmouth win the FA Cup in 2008, Redknapp also earned the nickname “Harry Houdini” for his ability to save the team from relegation in a spectacular way.

With only Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger and David Moyes as the Premier League’s most-won team, Redknapp is a seasoned tactician who knows how to inspire his players. Although he has not won a major trophy in the league, his legacy lies in creating teams that play dedicated football, along with smart transfer deals. He also guided Tottenham to the top four of the Premier League, helping them qualify for the Champions League for the first time, a milestone in the club’s history.

Top 9: David Moyes

David Moyes is one of the best managers in Premier League history, with over 693 games in charge of Everton, Manchester United and West Ham. Although his short spell at Old Trafford did not live up to expectations after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, Moyes re-affirmed his ability by turning West Ham into a strong competitor both domestically and in Europe. His crowning success with the Hammers came in 2023, when he led the team to the UEFA Conference League – the club’s first European trophy in over 50 years, thereby cementing his reputation as a persistent and capable strategist.

Moyes had previously made a lasting impression during more than a decade in charge of Everton, where he consistently finished in the top eight despite limited financial resources. The high point of this period was the 2004/05 season, when he guided Everton to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification – a feat for a club outside the elite. Moyes’s coaching style was characterised by discipline, a clever use of formations and an ability to get the best out of his players. Despite not having won many major trophies, he has been one of the most influential managers in English football over the past two decades.

Top 8: Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte is one of the most successful managers to have worked in the Premier League, particularly with his short-term but impressive successes. When he took over at Chelsea in 2016, he inherited a side that had been in decline since the reign of José Mourinho but quickly returned the Blues to the top. In his first season, Conte helped Chelsea win the Premier League with 93 points, dominating the rest of the league. Under his leadership, Chelsea played disciplined, solid but effective football with a revolutionary 3-4-3 formation, helping to change the tactical landscape of the Premier League at that time.

Although he only stayed with Chelsea for two seasons, Conte still managed to add the FA Cup in 2018 before leaving amid disagreements with the board. His personality-filled management style often brought controversy, but there was no denying his ability to make an immediate impact on any team he led. After Chelsea, Conte continued to challenge himself at Tottenham, where he had his moments of brilliance but could not help the team break their title drought. Still, with a Premier League win rate second only to Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho in his first 100 games, he is still considered one of the top strategists to have appeared in the tournament.

Top 7: Claudio Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri is the embodiment of one of the most incredible stories in football history, transforming Leicester City from a side that was close to relegation last season to Premier League champions in 2015/16. Initially, Ranieri’s appointment was met with scepticism, having just endured an unsuccessful spell with the Greek national team. However, with his tactical acumen and excellent man-management, he created a cohesive squad that got the best out of players like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté. Leicester not only shocked the football world but also shattered pre-season predictions, with odds of winning the title at 5000/1.

Remarkably, Ranieri—who was once nicknamed “Tinkerman” for his tendency to rotate his squad during his time at Chelsea—used fewer players than any other manager that season. He built a stable system, where unity and discipline helped Leicester maintain their peak form throughout the season. While he was unable to replicate the success elsewhere, Leicester’s title triumph remains Ranieri’s greatest legacy, proving that sometimes football doesn’t just belong to the strongest, but also to those who dare to believe the impossible.

Top 6: Rafa Benítez

Rafa Benítez is one of the best Premier League managers ever, particularly with his indelible mark in the 2004/05 Champions League. Under his guidance, Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in football history, beating AC Milan in Istanbul after being 3-0 down at half-time. This victory not only helped Liverpool win the European Championship for the fifth time but also affirmed the coaching talent of Benítez, who has always stood out with his tight tactical organization and sharp ability to read the game.

In the Premier League, although he could not win the title, Benítez still built a strong Liverpool with the excellent midfield trio of Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. In the 2008/09 season, Liverpool finished in second place with only two losses, competing fiercely with Manchester United. After Liverpool, Benítez had ups and downs at Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton, but nowhere did he leave a strong mark like at Anfield. Although his later career had many fluctuations, Benítez’s success with Liverpool, especially in the Champions League, remains his immortal legacy in the history of English football.

Join betting at highest odds betting site and many attractive offers!

Top 5: Jurgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp has not only brought Liverpool back to the top, but has also redefined the style of play in the Premier League. When he arrived at Anfield in October 2015, he brought with him the philosophy of gegenpressing—the high-pressing style that had helped Borussia Dortmund topple Bayern Munich’s dominance. Liverpool were languishing in mid-table at the time, but under Klopp they gradually became a winning machine, with fiery attacking football and an uncompromising fighting spirit.

The pinnacle of success came when Liverpool won the 2018/19 Champions League, followed by the 2019/20 Premier League title—their first in 30 years. During this period, Klopp built an excellent team with key players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Under his guidance, Liverpool not only dominated England but also became a formidable force in Europe. Despite the challenges that followed, Klopp’s legacy at Anfield remains one of the greatest stories in modern football.

Top 4: Jose Mourinho

José Mourinho is one of the most influential managers in Premier League history, not just because of his trophies but also because of his personality and football philosophy. When he arrived at Chelsea in 2004, he proclaimed himself the “Special One” and he quickly proved it. In his first season, Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premier League title with 95 points, losing just one game and conceding just 15 goals—a defensive record that has yet to be broken. He retained the title the following season, taking Chelsea to new heights and laying the foundations for the club’s future dominance.

Although his subsequent spells at Manchester United and Tottenham could not match his brilliant early years, Mourinho still made his mark, especially with the Europa League and League Cup with the Red Devils. His pragmatic, defensive style of football has been criticised at times, but there is no denying his effectiveness and ability to create teams that are incredibly difficult to beat. While times have passed and football has changed, Mourinho’s legacy in the Premier League remains strong, with three titles and an indelible impact.

Top 3: Arsène Wenger

Arsène Wenger is one of the most influential managers in Premier League history, not just for the trophies he has won, but for the way he has changed English football. When he took over at Arsenal in 1996, Wenger brought a beautiful, attacking philosophy based on possession and creativity. Under his guidance, Arsenal won three Premier League titles, including an unbeaten season in 2003/04, a feat no other team has been able to replicate. Not only did Wenger build a stellar squad with legends like Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, ​​he also laid the foundations for a new professionalism in English football, changing the training regime, nutrition and tactical thinking of his players.

In addition to his success on the pitch, Wenger was also known for his ability to develop young talent and his long-term stability. He turned Arsenal into a top-tier team without the huge budgets of their rivals. Although his final years at Arsenal were challenging, Wenger’s legacy remains strong—he not only helped Arsenal shape its identity but also helped elevate the Premier League. When he left Arsenal in 2018, he left an indelible mark, considered one of the greatest minds in football history.

Top 2: Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola was not only a brilliant coach but also a revolutionary tactician of modern football. When he arrived at Manchester City in 2016, he brought with him a strict possession-based football philosophy that required players to play out from the back, keep the ball tight, and attack with absolute fluidity. Initially, this style was met with scepticism in the Premier League—a league known for its high tempo and physicality. However, in a short time, Guardiola not only transformed City into a winning machine, but also changed the way English football operates. Teams that once mocked his approach now seek to adopt his principles.

Under Guardiola, City won a host of trophies, including five Premier League titles in six seasons from 2017 to 2023, while setting unprecedented records for points and form. He also proved that a team could dominate without a true striker, before adding Erling Haaland to make City even more destructive. Like Arsène Wenger before him, Guardiola has not only won trophies but has also lifted the Premier League, redefining how a team can play and win. When he leaves, English football will forever bear the mark of his tactical genius.

Top 1: Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson is not only the greatest coach in Manchester United’s history but also one of the best strategists that football has ever produced. Under his leadership from 1986 to 2013, Manchester United not only dominated English football with 13 Premier League titles but also reached the continental level with two Champions League titles. Ferguson not only built a great team but also created an empire, where generations of talented players inherited each other, from the legendary Class of ’92 with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham to superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney. He was never satisfied with short-term success, always ready to rebuild the squad to maintain United’s dominant position.

Not only excellent in tactics, Ferguson was also a master of psychology, famous for his “hairdryer” – fierce scolding in the dressing room to motivate players. He instilled a fighting spirit that would never give up, creating iconic comebacks, such as the miraculous victory over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final. Under him, Old Trafford became an impregnable fortress, and any team feared facing United. With 528 Premier League wins, Ferguson not only broke all boundaries but also set standards that are almost impossible to replicate in the modern era of football.

Wrapping Things Up

While each manager on this list of best Premier League managers ever has their own style and philosophy, they have all contributed to shaping the Premier League into one of the most exciting leagues in the world. From those with a collection of trophies like Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho, to those who have left a strong mark with innovation and fighting spirit like Arsene Wenger, Jurgen Klopp or Claudio Ranieri, each has their own unique product. Their success is not measured by their numbers alone, but by their lasting impact on English football. As the Premier League continues to grow, future managers will have to surpass the high standards set by these legends.

See more: Man United biggest loss in history: Lost 7-0 to Liverpool