12 Greatest Ever English Football Managers (1953 onwards)

I must admit, in writing this, I have shown preference to the managers who have achieved success without the funds. These are in no particular order so you judge who you think is best.

Brian Clough

This great manager from the 70′s at Derby and later at Nottingham Forest was indeed a true icon in the history of the English game. In truth, he would have been a great manager of the English National team but for some unknown reason, never got the call. His domestic managerial career was the stuff of legends. In regards to him leading Derby County to the ultimate glory in the English game in regards to the Divison 1 title in 1971/2. Then when he went across the Midlands to Nottingham Forest, the side he created was truly breath taking. They won the title in 77/78 and the League Cup on 4 occasions. The crowning glory was the two European Cup wins in back to back years as the 70′s ended. A very shrewd finder of talent and of tactics.

I loved ‘Old Moon Face’ Clough!

Don Revie

Though this guy was almost unapproachable, the side he created at Leeds United in the late 60′s and early 70′s was one of the best sides in the history of English football. He later became England manager. At Leeds, his shrewd buys, in particular the legendary Jimmy Giles and his making of others like Billy Bremner and Jack Charlton into stars of the English game made the side truly fearsome. He won the 1st division title twice and the League Cup numerous times and other Cups in England and abroad.

That Leeds side of the early 70′s was truly one of the best ever in the English game.

Sir Alex Ferguson

This retired Manchester United manager is indeed one of the most iconic figures in the history of the English game. In the years of the EPL, it has been symbolised by Manchester United dominating and winning everything. Though, when he took over this wasn’t the case with United in the midst of a 26 year title drought. Granted he had always been backed by huge funds in the transfer kitty, but some of his buys have been very shrewd indeed. Most notably Eric Cantona, who was at the forefront of breaking United’s title drought in 92/93. Then this coupled with his faith in youth such as Giggs, Scholes and the like were the forefront of his sustained success. He has won anything and everything in England and Europe.

Such is his success, I’m sure he wins bingo at his local club too.

Stan Cullis

In the 50′s, the big club was Wolverhampton Wanderers and this was on the back of this great manager. In the 50′s he won the top flight title 3 times and was runner-up twice. He also won 2 FA Cups. He was at the forefront of the creation of European competions between teams from different nations when his Wolves side beat the Hungarian giants Honved, that contained one Ferenc Puskas. He was a great man of principles, as shown when he refused to play against Germany in 1938 due to his abhorrence of Hitler. He took these principles into management, duly creating one of the best sides in the history of English football.

Bob Paisley

Though I hate Liverpool with an absolute passion, I can’t deny the greatness of the man. He was the key from the era of dominance, when Liverpool were without a doubt not only the best side in England but arguably in the whole world. His record of three European Cups in his time was incredible, as was his 6 League titles. Some of the sides he had you would truly beg, borrow and steal to watch play!

Harry Redknapp

This guy, wherever he has gone, he has had success. In particular, symbolised at teams with no funds. He always did miracles, most notably at West Ham and at Portsmouth. At Pompey the side he created was a true joy to watch with all the great players of African heritage. Now that he is at a club with funds in Tottenham Hotspurs, look at what he is creating. Through his shrewd buys and great tactics, he got them into the Champions League last year. Now this year they are shaping up as a definite Premier League threat.I love him as a manager!

Bill Nicholson

Another great from the 50s was this great Spurs man. Through his great man management and inspiration he achieved great success. That culminated in winning the title two times and the FA Cup 3 times. He instilled that undeniable will to win in players.

Ron Atkinson

I must admit im inserting a bit of bias here for I loved ‘Mr Bojangles’ and his time at my beloved Aston Villa. I viewed him as the man to return us to the glory days, only for him to fall foul of ‘Deadly’ Doug Ellis – the then Villa Chairman. Previously in the late 70′s, the team he created at West Bromich Albion was symbolised by 3 black players. In a time where the English game was symbolised by a racist edict, it was a great old side. He was renowned for his work in the transfer market, where he’d get players on the cheap and make them into stars, like John Sheridan in his tenure as manager at Sheffield Wednesday. He got the plum job at Manchester United in the time just before ‘Fergie’. Though, he fell out of favour with the board there when most thought he was the man to return them to the glory years.

Graham Taylor

Again a gaffer renowned for making a small club big. What he did at Watford was nothing short of truly miraculous in the mid 80′s, where he brought in players like Callaghan and John Barnes and made them into true stars. In the dark dark days for us Villa fans of the late 80′s, when we got relegated from the top flight, he took over and got us back into the top flight and made us grand again, culminating in a runners-up medal in the League in 89/90. This on the back of one very shrewd investment in David Platt, who truly dominated in attack. Then previously his signing of a great favourite of the Holte End in ‘Rambo’ Alan McInally, who dominated in the year we got promoted into the top flight.

Arsene Wenger

I have the greatest respect for this Frenchman. For though Arsenal, now that they are backed by the funds they get from gate receipts at their new stadium. When he took over he was symbolised by buying Continental players on the cheap and making them into huge stars in England. Does the name Patrick Veira ring a bell? His man-management skills are legendary, higlighted by Tony Adams in his battle with the drink, in which Wenger made him into probably the best central defender and most inspirational leader in the history of the Premier League. He was famous for leading his side to the title by being undefeated, and that too in the Premier League, tells it all of his pedigree.

Sir Bobby Robson

The grand old man of English football and much loved, shown by the mourning when he died a few years back. His legend was achieved at Ipswich Town in the 70′s, where he made them into contenders every year in the top flight, culminating in two runner-up positions and also an FA Cup win and UEFA Cup win. Then when he was at the helm of England in the 80′s. His return to the England game in the the EPL era to manage Newcastle was greatly received. In this tenure, though he had some great times there, he never achieved ultimate success, duly being let go in 05.

A great manager and the epitome of a gentleman!

Jose Mourinho

Though he was duly backed at Chelsea by the Abramovich squillons, it was how he spent it that has gained my respect. In buying Drogba and Essien, they became the bookends in the Chelsea winning the title twice. This after Chelsea had only won the top flight title one time previously in its history. Though it was Mourinho’s aura that was just as impressive, symbolised by him when Alex Ferguson tried to intimidate him, he just brushed him off. Duly in his time in the English game, he became a huge thorn in Manchester United’s side.

My apologies to many I’ve left out, most notably Howard Kendall and recently Sam Allardyce and David Moyes. Also, can see Owen Coyle being a great manager.