25. Vicente del Bosque (Spain & Real Madrid)
World Cup 2010, Euro 2012, 2 Champions Leagues. Took over Spain at their peak and kept them perfect.
24. Ottmar Hitzfeld (Bayern Munich & Dortmund)
2 Champions Leagues with two different clubs (Dortmund 1997, Bayern 2001). 7 Bundesligas. The quiet genius.
23. Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid)
2 La Liga titles against Madrid/Barça, 2 Europa Leagues. Turned Atlético into a powerhouse on a budget.
22. Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds, Argentina, Chile)
The godfather of modern pressing. Influenced Pep, Pochettino, and half the Premier League. No trophies but eternal respect.
21. Jock Stein (Celtic)
First British manager to win the European Cup (1967). 10 Scottish titles. Celtic’s greatest ever.
20. Bob Paisley (Liverpool)
3 European Cups in 9 years. Most successful English manager by trophies per season.
19. Giovanni Trapattoni (Juventus, Bayern, Inter)
7 league titles in 4 different countries. The ultimate winner across decades.
18. José Mourinho (Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid)
2 Champions Leagues, trebles, 8 league titles in 4 countries. The Special One who changed defending forever.
17. Helenio Herrera (Inter Milan)
Invented Catenaccio. Back-to-back European Cups 1964-65. The original tactical revolutionary.
16. Ernst Happel (Feyenoord, Hamburg)
European Cup with two different clubs. Total Football pioneer before Cruyff.
15. Louis van Gaal (Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern)
Champions League with Ajax 1995 youth team. 7 league titles in 3 countries. The philosopher-coach.
14. Valeriy Lobanovskyi (Dynamo Kyiv & USSR)
3 European trophies with Kyiv, scientific football pioneer. Influenced every Eastern European coach.
13. Miguel Muñoz (Real Madrid)
2 European Cups as player, 2 as manager. 9 La Liga titles. Madrid’s longest-serving legend.
12. Arsène Wenger (Arsenal)
Invincibles 2003/04, 3 Premier Leagues, revolutionized English football with diet, scouting, and style.
11. Brian Clough (Nottingham Forest)
Back-to-back European Cups with Forest. From second division to champions of Europe in 3 years.
10. Matt Busby (Manchester United)
Rebuilt United after Munich air disaster. European Cup 1968. The Busby Babes legacy.
9. Giovanni Trapattoni (Juventus, Inter, Bayern)
7 league titles in 4 countries. First to win all three UEFA club competitions.
8. Johan Cruyff (Barcelona)
Dream Team 1992 European Cup. Created La Masia philosophy that still dominates today.
7. Helenio Herrera (Inter Milan)
Catenaccio inventor. Back-to-back European Cups 1964-65. Changed defending forever.
6. Carlo Ancelotti (Milan, Real Madrid, etc.)
5 Champions Leagues as manager (record). 2003, 2007, 2014, 2022, 2024. The calmest winner in football.
5. Pep Guardiola (Barcelona, Bayern, Man City)
3 Champions Leagues, 11 league titles, tiki-taka, positional play revolution. The most influential coach of the 21st century.
4. Rinus Michels (Ajax & Netherlands)
Invented Total Football. European Cup 1971 with Ajax, Euro 1988 with Netherlands. The godfather of modern football.
3. Bill Shankly (Liverpool)
Took Liverpool from second division to champions. Built Anfield’s soul. “Football is not a matter of life and death — it’s much more important.”
2. Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)
13 Premier Leagues, 2 Champions Leagues, 49 trophies total. Turned United into a global superpower. The greatest manager in English football history.
1. Arrigo Sacchi (AC Milan)
Revolutionized football with pressing, zonal marking, and the 4-4-2. Back-to-back European Cups 1989-90 with a team that changed the game forever. No manager has had more influence on how football is played today.
Conclusion
From Sacchi’s revolution to Ferguson’s empire, these 25 managers didn’t just win trophies — they shaped football itself. Who’s your #1? Drop your take in the comments — I reply to every one!
Disclaimer: Rankings subjective. See our Privacy Policy for details.
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