The Greatest Managers in English Football
Comparing different eras in football can be an exercise in futility, with the sport’s evolution making it an almost possible task to undertake.
However, when it comes to identifying the greatest managers ever to grace English football, we believe a handful of men stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United
Some Liverpool fans may argue differently, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements with Manchester United put him at the top of this managerial list.
Ferguson initially established his reputation with Aberdeen before heading south of the border with the aim of ‘knocking Liverpool off their perch’.
He transformed the landscape of English football, establishing United as the dominant force during the Premier League era.
Ferguson’s plethora of major trophies included 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns and a European Cup Winners’ Cup success.
His efforts also helped the club become a global commercial behemoth, placing them alongside La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Bob Paisley – Liverpool
Bob Paisley built on the foundations built by Bill Shankly to help Liverpool become one of the most successful clubs in England and in Europe.
He won six league titles, three European Cups, one UEFA Cup and three League Cups between 1974 and 1983 in a glorious era for the club.
Paisley was responsible for bringing Kenny Dalglish to English football and he subsequently established a fearsome partnership with Ian Rush.
His ‘pass and move’ style of play was easy on the eye, while his ability to allow players to express themselves brought the best out of Liverpool’s squad.
While Paisley undoubtedly deserves his lofty position in this list of managerial greats, Ferguson’s exploits with United sit on another level.
Brain Clough – Derby County & Nottingham Forest
Numerous managers won more silverware than Brian Clough, but none of them did it with clubs who were not expected to lift trophies.
Clough won the league title with Derby County, before cementing his legendary status with a hugely successful spell at Nottingham Forest.
He guided Forest to the European Cup in 1978/79 and defied expectations by repeating the feat at the end of the following campaign.
Clough’s ability to take rough diamonds and polish them into gems was second to none and was a skill which set him apart from other managers.
His penchant for making outlandish statements provided plenty of copy for journalists and some of the books about Clough are a must-read for any football fan.
Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s place on this list could be considered controversial given the 115 unresolved financial charges hanging over Manchester City.
However, we will put those to one side to focus on the Spaniard’s managerial ability, which has helped the club win a plethora of silverware.
Six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a Champions League are testament to Guardiola’s exceptional talent.
His coaching style and tactical acumen have inspired many other coaches, thus transforming how football is played across the English pyramid.
Guardiola is a relentless winning machine driven by a desire to be the best. How the football world will eventually perceive him is yet to be determined.
Bill Shankly – Liverpool
Bill Shankly managed a handful of other English clubs before taking charge of Liverpool when they were in the Second Division.
He subsequently transformed their fortunes, winning three league titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup before being replaced by Paisley.
Shankly’s working-class ethos struck a chord with Liverpool followers, who were devastated when he stepped aside at the end of the 1973/74 season.
He often gave match tickets to fans who he considered to be deserving cases and drummed into his players the importance of building a connection with the supporters.
While his time in charge did not equate to as much silverware as other managers on this list, his efforts contributed massively to Paisley’s subsequent success.
Sir Matt Busby – Manchester United
It is fair to say that the modern-day Man United would not have existed but for Sir Matt Busby’s tireless work as the club’s manager.
He won five league titles, two FA Cups and one European Cup, but that only tells half the story of what he achieved as United’s manager.
After building ‘The Busby Babes’, the Munich Air Disaster of 1958 wiped out the majority of his squad and almost cost the Scotsman his own life.
Busby built a new side around Munich survivors including Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg and Bobby Charlton, and introduced a new wave of young talent.
The club’s European Cup success in 1967/68 cemented Busby’s status as a managerial great and left a lasting legacy that is still felt today at Old Trafford.
