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Following is a list of the 5 of the best managers in the history of football.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Sir Alex Ferguson takes his seat in the Royal Box on Centre Court before the Gentlemen
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His major tenure as a manager was at Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. His time as United made him one of the most respected managers of all time.
He started his managerial career with East Sterlingshire but soon moved to St.Mirren where he had a fairly successful run. He moved to Old Trafford in November 1986 where he had the most successful run of his career, winning 13 premier league titles, 23 cup wins (domestic and International) and two UEFA Champions League titles.
Under him, United found many talents such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke and many more.
Fondly known as ‘Fergie’ to all the Red fans, he was termed as the best manager that United had after Matt Busby. Feared by the opponents, a strict disciplinarian for his players. One of the stands is named in his name at Old Trafford -‘Sir Alex Ferguson way’ .
“I’ve never played for a draw in my life” –Sir Alex Ferguson
2. Helenio Herrera
Image Courtesy : www.sofoot.com
His major tenure as a manager was at Internazionale from 1960 to 1968. He played for the Argentine national team.
After the first season, at his debut club, Puteaux, he moved to Stade Francais. After three seasons, the club’s owners decided to sell the club after which Herrera moved to Spain and joined Real Valladolid.
He had a great run in Spain where he won 4 La-Liga’s and 5 cups. After leaving Barcelona in 1960, he signed with Internazionale where he won three Seria-A titles, two European Cups and two Inter-Continental Cups.
He moved to AS Roma in 1968 where he became the highest paid manager in the world. He managed Barcelona again from 1979 to 1981. He took retirement from his managerial career in 1981.
He gave a lot of credit to the spectators for the performance of players on the pitch. He’s often referred to as the pioneer of psychological motivation, one of this more famous quotes is “He who doesn’t give it all, gives nothing”.
3. Sir Matt Busby
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Sir Matt Busby was the manager of Manchester United between 1945 to 1969 and returned for half a season in 1970-1971.
As a manager for the Red Devils, he went on to win 5 First Division titles, two F.A. Cups, five Charity Shields and one European Cup.
In the late 50s Busby introduced new young talent into the team namely, Duncan Edwards,Bill Foulkes, Liam Whelan and more. At that time the team was fondly known as ‘Busby Babes’ because of the youthfulness of the team. On 6th February 1958, the Munich plane crash tragedy changed the face of the team. Busby lost 10 of his players and 3 club officials.
Although this was a big loss, it didn’t dishearten Busby. He successfully re-built the squad at Old Trafford with the likes of Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, Noel Cantwell and led them to a F.A. Cup victory in 1963. The same year, George Best, one of the legends at Old Trafford also joined the senior squad. They went on being the League champions in 1965 and again in 1967.
Busby led his squad to glory when they won the European Cup in 1968 after which he was awarded the Knighthood. Sir Matt Busby retired the next year from a very successful managerial career.
“Matt Busby is without doubt the greatest manager that ever lived. I’m not saying I think he’s the greatest manager. I am saying he’s the greates manager. Facts can prove that.” –Bill Shankly (former Liverpool manager) on Sir Matt Busby.
4. Bob Paisley
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His achievements as a manager for Liverpool is the main reason for him being regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time.
He spent almost fifty years of his life in Liverpool. Began as a right-back for the team, then the physiotherapist, coach and finally the manager. Till date he’s the only manager who has won the European Cup thrice.
Paisley began his playing career after signing for Liverpool in 1939 and retired from the same team in 1954. After retiring, he became the physiotherapist for the team and later served as reserves’ coach. Under the regime of manager Bill Shankly, he was promoted as the assistant manager.
Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness, Alan Kennedy, Ronnie Whelan, Ian Rush, Craig Johnston, Mark Lawrenson, Bruce Grobbelaar, Steve Nicol are some of the players who prospered under Paisley.
His managerial career began with the retirement of Shankly right after the1974 FA Cup win. As a manager at Anfield, he won 6 First Division titles, 3 European Cups titles and 11 cups (domestic and international). He also won 6 manager of the year awards.
Having spent 44 years in different capacities at the club, Paisley retired as Liverpool manager in 1983.
“I can let the team do the talking for me” –Bob Paisley
5. Brian Clough
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He’s often being called ‘The manager England never had’. He was one of the most sought after choice to be the manager of England National team.
Clough made a great run with clubs like Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He took the Derby County to win the Second Division title in 1968-1969, getting them promoted to the First Division and then winning the First Division title as well in 1971-1972. He resigned from Derby County due to feud with the Board of Directors.
After an unsuccessful term with Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United, Clough joined Nottingham Forest. He repeated history there, helping them climb the league tables from the bottom and emerging as First Division winner in 1977-1978 and winning 5 cups (domestic and international). He also won two consecutive European Cup titles with them in 1978-1979 and 1979-1980.
He was known for his skill to persuade his team into winning. He won league titles with teams like Derby County and Nottingham Forest, which were never in the limelight before he took command over them.
He retired from Nottingham Forest in 1993 following the corruption allegations thrown on him regarding Teddy Sheringham’s transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in 1992.
“They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I wasn’t on that particular job” –Brian Clough
