Top 5 Greatest Premier League Managers of All Time
The Premier League has produced legendary teams, unforgettable rivalries and managers who changed English football forever. From Ferguson’s dynasty to Guardiola’s football machine, Wenger’s revolution and Klopp’s heavy-metal Liverpool, choosing the greatest is not exactly an argument you want to start at any lounge or viewing centre. But we are starting it anyway. Here are our top five. Top 5 Greatest Premier League Managers of All Time
Honourable Mentions
A top five this tight leaves some serious names outside the list. Kenny Dalglish and Bob Paisley built Liverpool’s earlier dominance, while Claudio Ranieri delivered English football’s greatest underdog story with Leicester City’s 2015–16 title. Brian Clough never managed in the Premier League era, but his two European Cups with Nottingham Forest still make him part of any conversation about English football’s greatest managers.
And then there are the managers still writing their stories. Mikel Arteta has already led Arsenal to the Premier League title, while other current managers could eventually force their way into this conversation.
5. Jürgen Klopp: The Believer
Klopp turned Liverpool from perennial contenders into champions, ending a 30-year wait for the league title while also winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and both domestic cups. His high-intensity style became synonymous with Liverpool, but so did his ability to build an emotional connection with players and fans. One league title may look light beside the others on this list, but running into peak Guardiola did not exactly help.
4. José Mourinho: The Special One
Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004, called himself “The Special One” and then immediately won the Premier League. He delivered three league titles across two Chelsea spells and helped turn pragmatic, defensive football into a winning art form. He may have collected trophies everywhere he went, but his biggest contribution to English football might have been proving that you could win while making everyone absolutely furious.
3. Arsène Wenger: The Revolution
Wenger did more than win three Premier League titles. He changed how English football ate, trained, prepared and thought about the game. His greatest achievement remains the 2003–04 Invincibles, who went an entire league season unbeaten, while his seven FA Cups remain a record. Arsenal’s later struggles cannot erase the fact that Wenger helped drag English football into the modern era.
2. Pep Guardiola: The Machine
Six Premier League titles, four in a row, 100 points in a season and the Champions League: Guardiola’s numbers are ridiculous. His Manchester City side also changed how possession football, pressing and positional play are coached around the world. If this list were based purely on dominance, Pep could easily be No. 1. Unfortunately for him, there is still one man above him.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson: The Standard
Thirteen Premier League titles. Two Champions League trophies. Multiple generations of Manchester United teams rebuilt and reshaped over more than two decades. Ferguson did not simply dominate the Premier League; he repeatedly reinvented United and found ways to win as football changed around him.
Guardiola may have built the most sophisticated machine, but Ferguson built several different winning machines. That is why he remains No. 1. Five managers, five very different paths to greatness. The arguments will continue, but one thing is difficult to argue with: Ferguson set the standard everyone else is still chasing.
Keep the Debate Going on SuperSport
Of course, the best way to settle arguments about managers is to watch their successors try to write their own history. SuperSport brings all 380 Premier League matches live on DStv and GOtv, alongside La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, UEFA Champions League and other major competitions, depending on your package.
You can also follow the action on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, while new customers can get started with the current ₦15,000 offer. Existing customers can manage or upgrade their subscriptions through the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps. Visit dstv.com or gotvafrica.com to get connected and keep the football arguments going.
