There have been a fair few amount of managers who have achieved wonderful things at club level in England. But who is the greatest of them all?
The earlier days
In the period from 1954-1990 four names stick out; one is Bill Shankly. The Scotsman, according to the Liverpool football club website is "arguably the most famous figure" in Liverpool's history. He took over a team in the Second Division, and from 1959 to 1974 transformed the club, winning the First Division in 1964, 1966 and 1973 and the FA Cup in 1965 and 1974. Another individual to really leave his mark was Sir Matt Busby at Manchester United.
What is so great about Busby was how he reacted to the tragedy of the Munich air disaster in 1958. Before that Busby built 'The Busby Babes', a team that won the league title in 1953, as reported in the Mirror newspaper. With the likes of Duncan Edwards, Bill Foulkes and bobby charlton, United won successive league title in 1956 and 1957. However, after tragedy struck, Busby then went on and built an even greater side. With the likes of Alex Stepney, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton and George Best, the team went on to win the European Cup in 1968. Another name to mention is that of Bob Paisley. After replacing Shankly and staying at the helm from 1974 until 1983, Paisley went on to win everything with Liverpool.
This included six league titles, three European Cups, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup. Although he was initially reluctant to become a manager he left the role as a true legend. The final manager to mention from this period was the great, Brian Clough. As reported on his website, Brian Clough was a manager like no other.
Although he achieved a great deal at Derby County, it was at Nottingham Forest where he really left his mark. Not only did he lead the team to the First Division title in 1977-78, but he won the European Cup on two occasions; 1979 and 1980. A wonderful achievement.
The modern era
Let us now look at the period from 1990 onwards.
There are three managers that stick out. One is Arsene Wenger. Although criticised now for the lack of silverware, the fact that he made such an impact when he came to Arsenal in 1996 is why he must make this list. In his first ten years at the club, the North London team were magnificent. They not only won the league title in 1998, 2002 and 2004, but also the FA Cup on six occasions, as stated on the Manager Stats website. Add to that their appearance in the 2006 Champions League final where they eventually lost. But it was more than what they won. Wenger revolutionised what the player ate and how they looked after themselves. He may have not won as much in the past ten years, but for what he achieved in the first ten is why he makes this list.
Another one to consider is Jose Mourinho. Put simply, a perennial winner. What is so remarkable about Mourinho is his consistency in winning. As reported on Sky Sports, "wherever Mourinho has managed he has won silverware". This has included titles won in England, Portugal, Italy and Spain, in addition to his two Champions League triumphs.
The number one
And now onto my final manager who makes the list and, as I believe, the greatest of them all: Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie changed the dynamics of the club, brought in youth and presided over the greatest period in Manchester United's history. He won everything. He was feared by opponents and loved by the fans. But what was so impressive, was not only his consistency in winning (which is remarkable) but crucially in rebuilding and rebuilding teams year on year. As manager, Ferguson led United to 13 league titles, five FA Cup's and the Champions League twice. A remarkable individual and rightly so on the top of the pile.
