Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti

The greatest football managers of all time: ranked and remembered

November 8, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From tactical innovators to serial winners, these football masterminds changed the way the game is played, coached, and remembered. Here's a countdown from 15 to 1 of the most influential and successful managers the sport has ever seen.

15. José Mourinho – Pragmatist who won the lot

Jose Mourinho — Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com

José Mourinho’s playing career never took off, but his coaching journey became iconic. After learning under legends like Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal, Mourinho burst onto the scene with Porto, where he won the Champions League in 2004. Known for his pragmatic, win-at-all-costs style, Mourinho lifted major trophies with Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma.

14. Bob Paisley – Succeeded the legendary Bill Shankly in unbelievable fashion

Bob Paisley quietly stepped into Bill Shankly’s shoes at Liverpool in 1974—and built an even greater legacy. In just nine seasons, he claimed 20 major trophies, including three European Cups, making him one of the most successful managers in history. While Shankly laid the foundations, Paisley put the finishing touches on Liverpool’s dynasty.

13. Valeriy Lobanovskyi – Dynamo Kyiv legend and innovator

A pioneering mind in Eastern European football, Valeriy Lobanovskyi introduced scientific methods and tactical discipline to the game. He made Dynamo Kyiv a European force, winning over 30 trophies across the Soviet and Ukrainian eras. His methods helped bridge the gap between Eastern and Western European football.

12. Brian Clough – Double European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest

Brian Clough’s charisma was as legendary as his achievements. He led Nottingham Forest—then a modest club—to back-to-back European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980. Before that, he had transformed Derby County into English champions, cementing his place as a true underdog miracle worker.

11. Giovanni Trapattoni – Serial Serie A winner

Giovanni Trapattoni was a tactical master with a glittering résumé across Europe. He won six Serie A titles with Juventus and collected silverware with Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Benfica, and even Red Bull Salzburg. Though younger fans may recall his stint with Ireland, his earlier exploits defined an era in European club football.

10. Arrigo Sacchi – Manager of the great Milan side of the late 80s

Despite never playing professionally, Arrigo Sacchi became one of football’s most influential tacticians. His AC Milan side played attacking, high-pressing football that transformed Italian football. Sacchi led Milan to two European Cups and a Scudetto, and also took Italy to the 1994 World Cup final.

9. Sir Matt Busby – Manchester United legend who revived the club after tragedy

Matt Busby built Manchester United’s famed “Busby Babes” and championed youth development long before it was fashionable. After surviving the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, Busby rebuilt the club and led them to European glory a decade later in 1968. His resilience and vision shaped the soul of Manchester United.

8. Ernst Happel – European Cup winner with Hamburg and Feyenoord

Ernst Happel was the first manager to win the European Cup with two different clubs—Feyenoord in 1970 and Hamburg in 1983. A serial winner in multiple countries, Happel also led the Netherlands to a World Cup final and left a legacy so strong that Austria named their national stadium after him.

7. Carlo Ancelotti – Five-time Champions League winner

Carlo Ancelotti is the ultimate modern manager—calm, adaptable, and endlessly successful. He’s the only coach to win league titles in all of Europe’s "big five" leagues and has five Champions League titles to his name. Whether at Milan, Madrid, or Bayern, Ancelotti has always delivered.

6. Helenio Herrera – Football’s first famous manager

Helenio Herrera helped shape the manager as a true tactical authority. He made his name with Inter Milan, winning two European Cups and developing the iconic "catenaccio" system. At a time when players got all the credit, Herrera made the manager a central figure in football success.

5. Pep Guardiola – Tactical master and relentless winner

Pep Guardiola is the most influential manager of the modern era. With Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, he’s won league titles and transformed the game with possession-based, high-pressing football. His Barcelona side from 2008–2012 remains one of the most revered teams in history.

4. Bill Shankly – The man who laid the foundations for Liverpool’s success

Bill Shankly turned Liverpool from a Second Division club into a European powerhouse. His three First Division titles and two FA Cups only tell part of the story—Shankly built the identity and fan connection that remains central to the club’s DNA today.

3. Johan Cruyff – Modern football’s greatest influence

Johan Cruyff not only expanded on Total Football, he inspired generations of players and managers to value creativity and intelligence. His Barcelona "Dream Team" laid the foundation for the club’s philosophy, and his influence on modern tactics is immeasurable—even Guardiola calls him his greatest teacher.

2. Rinus Michels – Creator of Total Football

Rinus Michels was the father of Total Football, where players could interchange positions seamlessly to create a fluid, attacking system. He won major honours with Ajax, Barcelona, and the Netherlands, who he led to a historic Euro 1988 title. Michels changed how football is played at every level.

1. Sir Alex Ferguson – Best manager of all time

Sir Alex Ferguson redefined longevity and success at Manchester United, guiding the club to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League wins across 27 years. He also broke the Glasgow dominance in Scotland with Aberdeen, famously beating Real Madrid in a European final. With 49 trophies, no one has done it better.