The 25 Greatest Football Managers of All Time, Ranked
Football’s greatest minds have shaped the sport in ways fans still celebrate today. From tactical revolutions to era-defining dominance, these 25 managers represent the very best the game has ever seen. Ranked from legends of the past to present-day icons, here are the greatest managers in football history.
25. Jürgen Klopp – The Beloved Rebuilder
When Klopp arrived at Liverpool in 2015, he transformed a club burdened by decades of near-misses into champions once again. With his charismatic leadership and high-intensity football, he delivered the Reds' sixth Champions League title and their first league win in 30 years.
24. Louis van Gaal – The Iron Tulip
Van Gaal’s bold claim of being the best coach in the world raised eyebrows, but his record backs it up. From Champions League glory with Ajax to league titles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, his tactical rigidity and development of youth marked him as a true force.
23. Arsène Wenger – The Professor Who Changed English Football
Wenger reshaped the Premier League with modern training, nutrition, and a revolutionary playing style. Most famously, he guided Arsenal’s Invincibles to a 49-game unbeaten run and won three league titles and seven FA Cups in a 22-year reign.
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22. Béla Guttmann – The Man Behind the Benfica ‘Curse’
A tactical innovator and wanderer, Guttmann led Benfica to back-to-back European Cups and shaped teams with thrilling, attacking play. His fiery departure and parting “curse” left a mythical legacy that still lingers over the club today.
21. Sir Alf Ramsey – The One Who Brought Football Home
Ramsey led England to their greatest moment: the 1966 World Cup win on home soil. Known for his no-nonsense approach and pioneering “wingless” formation, he built a team that was greater than the sum of its parts.
20. Nereo Rocco – Italy’s Defensive Godfather
Rocco pioneered the art of ‘catenaccio’ at AC Milan, blending iron discipline with clinical counterattacks. He delivered two European Cups and set the tactical blueprint that would influence Italian football for decades.
19. Ottmar Hitzfeld – Germany’s Quiet Winner
One of only a handful of managers to win the Champions League with two clubs, Hitzfeld guided both Dortmund and Bayern to European glory. Calm, methodical, and immensely respected, he also won seven Bundesliga titles.
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18. Miguel Muñoz – Real Madrid’s Original Maestro
Muñoz led Real Madrid through one of their golden eras, winning nine La Liga titles and two European Cups. A quiet yet commanding figure, he helped establish the club’s dominance on the continental stage before guiding Spain to a Euro final.
17. Marcello Lippi – The Silver-Haired Strategist
Lippi’s crowning achievement came with Italy’s World Cup triumph in 2006, but his club record is equally impressive. Five Serie A titles and a Champions League win with Juventus underline his enduring tactical brilliance.
16. Vicente del Bosque – The Gentleman Coach
Del Bosque won everything with Real Madrid and then repeated the feat with Spain, claiming both the World Cup and European Championship. Renowned for his calm demeanor and ability to manage egos, his quiet leadership style proved incredibly effective.
15. José Mourinho – The Special One
Love him or hate him, Mourinho’s record is impossible to ignore. From Porto’s fairytale Champions League win to dominant spells at Chelsea, Inter, and Real Madrid, he built a legacy on pragmatism, trophies, and mind games.
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14. Bob Paisley – The Reluctant Legend
Tasked with following the legendary Bill Shankly, Paisley outdid expectations by winning 20 trophies in just nine years at Liverpool. His European Cup hat-trick remains unmatched in English football history.
13. Valeriy Lobanovskyi – The Scientist of the Sidelines
Lobanovskyi brought computer analysis and scientific thinking into coaching long before it was fashionable. His Dynamo Kyiv teams were models of structure and discipline, winning over 30 trophies and earning respect across Europe.
12. Brian Clough – The Rebel Genius
Clough’s achievements with Derby and Nottingham Forest defy belief—especially back-to-back European Cups with Forest. His charisma, sharp tongue, and relentless self-belief made him one of the game’s most unforgettable figures.
11. Giovanni Trapattoni – The Trophy Collector
Trapattoni won league titles in four different countries and swept up silverware with Juventus, including the European Cup. A master of structure and game management, he was one of Europe’s most consistent winners over two decades.
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10. Arrigo Sacchi – The Visionary Who Changed Milan
Sacchi took Milan from cautious to cutting-edge with pressing, high lines, and total team play. Though he never played professionally, his ideas laid the groundwork for modern tactical systems and reshaped Italian football’s DNA.
9. Sir Matt Busby – The Man Who Rebuilt Manchester United
After surviving the Munich Air Disaster, Busby led a rebuilt United side to European Cup glory in 1968. His commitment to youth and expansive football left a lasting legacy on both the club and the game.
8. Ernst Happel – The Continental Mastermind
The first coach to win the European Cup with two different clubs, Happel succeeded across Europe with his bold, attacking approach. From Hamburg to Feyenoord, he left an indelible mark in multiple footballing cultures.
7. Carlo Ancelotti – Mr. Champions League
Ancelotti’s five Champions League titles stand alone, a testament to his calm leadership and tactical flexibility. He’s also the only manager to win league titles in all of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues, adapting seamlessly to every environment.
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6. Helenio Herrera – The First Star Coach
Herrera brought charisma, strict discipline, and defensive precision to the touchline, earning Inter Milan back-to-back European Cups. He made the manager a true figurehead and left behind a legacy of structure and intensity.
5. Pep Guardiola – The Era-Defining Innovator
Guardiola’s influence is felt far beyond the trophies—though he has plenty of those too. His Barcelona side from 2008–2012 changed the game forever, and his tactical fingerprints are seen in coaching circles worldwide.
4. Bill Shankly – The Heartbeat of Liverpool
Shankly laid the foundations for Liverpool’s transformation into a global powerhouse. His leadership, charisma, and belief in the fans built more than a team—he built a legacy that shaped a club's culture forever.
3. Johan Cruyff – The Architect of Modern Football
Cruyff’s Barcelona and Ajax sides were stylish, technical, and ahead of their time. He didn’t just win trophies—he reshaped how football is played, influencing generations of coaches including Pep Guardiola.
2. Rinus Michels – The Godfather of Tactics
The creator of "Total Football," Michels introduced tactical fluidity and positionless play to the world. His influence on modern football is immeasurable, laying the groundwork for what we now know as the beautiful game.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – The GOAT of Management
With 49 major trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues at Manchester United, Ferguson’s success is unrivaled. Fierce, adaptable, and a master motivator, he defined an era and built dynasties that few could rival.
