Football is the only sport which gives special recognition to coaches as managers and they are of utmost importance to their teams.
From team changes to buying new players, from one substitution to half-time talk, they are the dominant men in football.
The sacking and new appointments will come and go, but the one who is capable of winning numerous titles and can stay in the club for a long time will be hailed as the top manager.
So, let’s get things started!
5. Jurgen Klopp – Borussia Dortmund
The 44-year-old German is the pioneer behind one of the most successful and feared teams in Germany.
The veteran started his career managing Mainz 05, but soon they got relegated.
He was the man in charge of Dortmund next and got them a prestigious DFB-Supercup with a win over Germany’s biggest side, Bayern Munich.
He guided Dortmund to a fifth and sixth place finish in his second and third year.
The fourth year, Klopp showed his true class as he introduced a swift playing youth team with immense aggression, and the result was terrific as Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga for two consecutive years and found a place on Europe’s grandest stage – the UEFA Champions League.
He set a record of a 25-match unbeaten streak last season and decimated Bayern Munich 5-2 in the German Cup.
His next target is a Champions League title and he looks well prepared as his side topped the Group of Death in the current season.
They even demolished the mighty Real Madrid along with the Dutch and English Champions.
Germany’s current manager Joachim Low is rumoured to step down in some years, and this gives Jurgen Klopp one big chance to prove his might once again.
4. Arsene Wenger – Arsenal
Arsenal football club and Arsene Wenger have a lot in common. They are one of the most successful teams in England at the moment, and though they are missing on titles, Arsene Wenger is the man who is responsible for Arsenal still being one of the best in England.
The French magician took control in the year 1996 and has a 53.35 win percentage, three Premier League titles with four FA Cups and four FA Community Shields are his Club Honours.
The Frenchman has 29 individual manager awards to support his credentials.
He has only one criticism to his name and that is not something small. He makes world-class players but fails to keep them at Arsenal.
From Thierry Henry to Cesc Fabregas to Samir Nasri to Robin Van Persie, all of them have left the old man in pain. But this man is so strong mentally that he puts the team in the right shape and clear focus which helps them maintain their spot in the top four in England.
This also guides them to a Champions League spot annually.
With rising demands from the gooners, Arsene Wenger might well have to bring at least one major cup to Emirates.
With his great managerial ability, the silver lining might be visible soon.
3. Pep Guardiola – Bayern Munich (2013/14)
After a legendary career as a Barcelona player, he became their manager in the year 2008.
This great man touched Barcelona and the team has turned gold since then. His debut season in 08′ saw him get the “Treble”.
He knit together the extraordinary talents of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, which made Barca the best team in the world.
He introduced a Tika-Tika style of football, which saw Barcelona completely dominate possession in the game.
From Granada and Espanyol to Real Madrid and Manchester United, all looked seemingly small and played a waiting game.
The people and media had never seen such a spectacle before and it was this man who can be called as the person behind Lionel Messi.
He gave him the number 10 jersey and the crucial Ronaldinho’s position, and we all know what happened after that time.
Guardiola took Barcelona to greater heights and had a 72 win percentage which included the UEFA Champions League in 2009 and 2011.
He lost the La Liga Crown to Real Madrid last season and had no answer to Chelsea’s tactics in the Champions League in the same season.
He gave his resignation from the club and has now got a job in Germany, and that too the biggest one.
Managing Munich will be a tough task, but the Spaniard looks perfect to take them to a different level altogether. All we can do is wait until the next season and admire his managerial magic.
2. Jose Mourinho – Real Madrid
“The Special One”, as he is called, has significant bearing to his credentials.
England, Italy and Spain are three of the most competitive and big leagues today and Mourinho has won in all these three leagues.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan have kissed quite a few trophies mainly because of this special Portuguese tactician.
His reign of titles includes six with Chelsea, five with Inter, three with Real Madrid and six with FC Porto (through which he came into the limelight).
Other than this, he has bagged individual manager awards 34 times. The Special One is one of the best managers of all time as well.
With critics present everywhere, Jose cannot escape them.
Being harshly criticised this season for making some unwanted decisions both on and off the pitch in Madrid which might get him fired, Mourrinho remains ever so calm.
He has promised to win the Champions League for Madrid and then most probably would look to make his return to England.
Who knows, if he could feature in Germany and with a win over there, he will be the only one to win in four major leagues.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United
The 71-year-old Scot is the best manager in football today and can be arguably be regarded as the best manager of all time.
He won 11 titles for Scottish clubs Aberdeen and St. Mirren before making his debut for Manchester United in 1986.
With his 27th year running in charge of United, Sir Alex has become a brand by himself.
The number of silverware he has won with United is unbelievable, featuring 37 titles.
Sir Alex has 70 Individual manager awards, including FIFA Presidential Award and has three Special Awards – Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Knight Bachelor and Commander of the office of the British Empire.
He also has a 58.19 win percentage, which is unbelievable in a 27-year-long run.
Showing how dominant he is, he has often attracted bizarre criticism. This includes allegations that he buys referees and fixes matches, often claimed by Chelsea and Man City fans.
There will be one day when he would finally resign, thus leaving agony for United fans. The day will be emotional and will be remembered as the day that God retired from football.
You might see another Pele, Maradona and Messi but I doubt if anyone will see the next Sir Alex Ferguson.
Honourable mentions:
Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid
David Moyes – Everton
Jupp Heynckes – Bayern Munich
Mircea Lucescu – Shaktar Donetsk
Carlo Ancelloti – PSG
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