12 Greatest Ever English Football Managers (1953 onwards)

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.