The debate has been raging on pub chat nights and social media discussions everywhere: who is the greatest manager the game has ever seen? Should it be based on the number of trophies won or the impact they had on the sport? What about the strength of their opposition at the time or their revolutionary tactics? So many questions, and probably even more answers.
At 90min, we’re no strangers to having an opinion or two (okay, probably more than that), but for once, we’ll follow someone else’s lead and explore what others consider the greatest managers of all time.
For the uninitiated, FourFourTwo recently published their Top 50 Managers of All Time list, a monumental task that has generated waves of debate and discussion across the globe. For those who don’t follow international football, it’s not the FA Cup or the Champions League but European Cups, Eredivisies, La Ligas, and what have you. We’ll stick to that list, but let’s bring our own spin and arguments to the table.
So, without further ado, here are the top five greatest managers of all time, with additional analysis and insights:
5. Pep Guardiola (6th on the original list): Okay, I know what you’re thinking, how did Pep, currently still an active manager, land just fifth on the list? Blame the FourFourTwo peeps for being slow in ranking the mastermind of Catalan domination. His trophy haul (albeit mostly in Barça and City) speaks volumes of his incredible tactical prowess.
4. Bill Shankly: Legend of Liverpool, transformed them into European giants. Period. Under Shankly’s leadership, Anfield witnessed unprecedented success and left a lasting legacy.
3. Johan Cruyff: As Ajax, he won the 1971 European Cup, while coaching, his ‘Total Football’ doctrine influenced generations to follow; don’t forget his impressive spells as Netherlands boss, reaching 1974’s World Cup final.
2. Rinus Michels: Also coached the Netherlands, winning the European Championships 72′ and 76′; that ‘Total Football’ ideology became contagious.
1. Alex Ferguson (winner of the FourFourTwo ‘golden trophy’): For three decades, he guided Man Utd to unprecedented heights – not only in English Premier League, FA Cup, and EU Championship success but also fostering development around him. 49 domestic titles and 2 UEFA Champion Cups! The greatest!
From the list, we’re proud to offer a more extensive (not exhaustive) rundown of the FourFourTwo top 50:
Get up-to-date with all the sports buzz by following us on [social media] social media platforms for more awesome sports content!