Since the dawn of modern soccer, the figure of the coach has played a crucial role in the evolution and success of teams around the world. More than just field commanders, the best soccer managers in history have not only shaped innovative tactics and strategies, but have also left a legacy of memorable achievements and lasting impact on the sport.
This article explores the profiles of the most renowned soccer managers in history, highlighting their glittering careers, remarkable achievements, distinctive styles and contributions to the development of the game we love. Check it out!
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Best soccer managers in history: titles, records and victories
1. Alex Ferguson (Scotland)
Titles
- 13 Premier League titles with Manchester United
- 2 UEFA Champions League
- 5 FA Cups
- 4 English League Cups
- 1 UEFA Super Cup
- 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup
- 1 Cup Winners’ Cup
He is the most successful manager in Premier League history, with 13 Premier League titles with Manchester United.
He took over the team in 1986 and led the club to a period of enormous success, with 38 titles in 26 years.
He began his career as a player in Scotland, before becoming manager in 1974.
2. Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)
Titles
- 5 UEFA Champions Leagues (with AC Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea)
- 3 Serie A (with AC Milan)
- 3 Premier Leagues (with Chelsea)
- 1 Ligue 1 (with Paris Saint-Germain)
- 1 Bundesliga (with Bayern Munich)
He is the only coach to win the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs, making him the coach with the most UEFA Champions League titles.
He began his career as a player in Italy, before becoming a coach in 1986. He enjoyed success at various clubs in Europe, including AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
3. Pep Guardiola (Spain)
Titles
- 3 La Ligas with Barcelona
- 2 Premier Leagues with Manchester City
- 2 UEFA Champions Leagues
- 6 King’s Cups
- 4 English League Cups
- 2 UEFA Super Cups
- 4 FIFA Club World Cups
He is considered one of the best coaches of his generation and is also one of the coaches who began his career as a player.
In addition to his success with Barcelona, he also enjoyed success with the Spanish national team. After retiring, he became a coach, returned to the Spanish team and enjoyed a period of enormous success, winning 14 titles in 4 years.
He currently coaches Manchester City, where he has won two Premier Leagues and several domestic tournaments.
4. José Mourinho (Portugal)
- Titles:
- 2 UEFA Champions Leagues (with Porto and Inter Milan)
- 2 Premier Leagues (with Chelsea)
- 8 national championships in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain (with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid)
Known for his winning mentality and demanding leadership, he began his career as a translator and assistant coach, before becoming one of the best soccer managers in history when he led Porto in the late 1990s.
He was successful at various clubs in Europe, winning titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.
His biggest win was the triple crown (Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League) with Internazionale in 2010.
5. Rinus Michels (Netherlands)
Titles
- 4 Dutch Championships with Ajax
- 1 European Cup with Ajax
- 1 European Championship with the Dutch national team
He is considered one of the founding fathers of “Total Football”, a playing philosophy that emphasizes positional fluidity and relentless attacking.
He began his career as a player in Holland, before becoming a coach in 1969.
He coached Ajax twice and the Dutch national team for two periods, achieving great success in both.
He won the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax in 1971, the Netherlands’ first title in the competition.
6. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Titles
- 3 Dutch Championships with Ajax
- 1 European Cup with Ajax
- 1 La Liga with Barcelona
He is considered one of the greatest players of all time, becoming a legend at Ajax, where he became one of the greatest idols in the club’s history.
He also enjoyed success with Barcelona and the Dutch national team. After retiring, he became coach and led Barcelona to a new period of glory.
He won the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax in 1971 as a player and coach.
7. Bill Shankly (Scotland)
Titles
- 3 English Championships with Liverpool
- 3 FA Cups with Liverpool
- 1 UEFA Cup with Liverpool
He is considered one of the best soccer managers in Liverpool’s history and one of the main people responsible for building the club into a powerhouse in English soccer.
He took over Liverpool in 1959 and led the club to a period of great success, winning 11 titles in 15 years.
He began his career as a player in Scotland, before becoming manager in 1949.
8. Helenio Herrera (Argentina)
Titles
- 3 Serie A with Internazionale
- 2 European Cups with Internazionale
- 5 Spanish Championships with Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid
One of Helio’s records that puts him on this select list of the best soccer managers in history was winning the triple crown (Italian Championship, Cup Winners’ Cup and Italian Cup) with Internazionale in 1965.
He became known for his pragmatic and defensive playing philosophy, nicknamed “Catenaccio”.
He began his career as a player in Argentina, before becoming a coach in 1946.
As well as Internazionale, he also coached other European giants such as Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
9. Ernst Happel (Austria)
- Titles:
- 2 European Cups (with Feyenoord and Hamburger SV)
- 8 national championships in Holland, Germany and Austria (with Feyenoord, Hamburger SV and ADO Den Haag)
One of the few leaders to win the European Cup Winners ‘ Cup with two different clubs , so he is on the list of the best soccer coaches in history.
He began his career as a player in Austria, before becoming a coach in 1946. He enjoyed success at various clubs in Europe, including Feyenoord, Hamburger SV and ADO Den Haag.
Among his records is thetriple crown with the Dutch championship, KNVB Cup and Champions Cup, with Feyenoord in 1970.
10. Vicente del Bosque (Spain)
Titles
- 1 FIFA World Cup with the Spanish National Team
- 2 European Championship with the Spanish national team
- 2 La Ligas (with Real Madrid)
- 2 UEFA Champions Leagues (with Real Madrid)
He is one of the few coaches to have won both the FIFA World Cup and the European Championship with the same team (Spain), so he can’t be left out of this list of the best soccer coaches in history.
He began his career as a player in Spain, before becoming a coach in 1982.
He enjoyed success with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League and La Liga.
He also led the Spanish national team to the World Cup title in 2010 and two European Championship titles (2008 and 2012).
He is also one of the winners of the triple crown, with La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League, with Real Madrid in 2008.
11. Miguel Muñoz (Spain)
Titles
- 6 La Ligas (with Real Madrid)
- 2 European Cups (with Real Madrid)
- 2 Spanish Cups (with Real Madrid)
He is one of the most successful coaches in Real Madrid’s history.
He began his career as a player in Spain, before becoming a coach in 1958. He enjoyed great success with Real Madrid in the 1960s, winning six La Liga titles and two European Cups.
Winner of six La Liga titles with Real Madrid.
12. Ottmar Hitzfeld (Germany)
Titles
- 7 Bundesliga titles (with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund)
- 2 UEFA Champions Leagues (with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich)
He is one of the few coaches to take part in the FIFA World Cup with two different teams (Germany and Switzerland).
He began his career as a player in Germany before becoming a coach in 1978.
He enjoyed success with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, winning national and European titles.
13. Zagallo (Brazil)
Titles
- Brazilian national team:
- 1 FIFA World Cup (1970)
- 1 FIFA World Cup (1994) – Technical coordinator
- 1 Copa América (1976)
- 1 CONCACAF Gold Cup (1991)
- 1 FIFA Confederations Cup (1997)
- Clubs:
- 1 Carioca Championship (1964) with Botafogo
- 1 Rio-São Paulo Tournament (1964) with Botafogo
- 1 Paulista Championship (1973) with Portuguesa Santista
- 1 Carioca Championship (1987) with Vasco da Gama
- 1 Copa do Brasil (1987) with Vasco da Gama
- 1 Brazilian Championship (1994) with Flamengo
- 1 CONMEBOL Cup (1994) with Flamengo
Zagallo is on the list of the 100 best soccer coaches in history by the English magazine “FourFourTwo”.
The Brazilian coach has won World Soccer Coach of the Year twice (1970, 1994), as well as accumulating other individual awards, including:
- Onze d’Or Coach of the Year (1970)
- IFFHS Coach of the Year (1970)
- Member of the Brazilian Football Hall of Fame (2004)
The list above includes only the major titles won by Zagallo as a player, coach and technical coordinator.
An impressive record for the Brazilian is that he is the only person to have participated in five winning World Cups with the Brazilian national team (two as a player and three as a coach/coordinator).
Zagallo was one of the greatest winners in the history of Brazilian soccer, with a total of 31 titles.
The eternal “Old Wolf” of Brazilian soccer will always be remembered for his experience and knowledge of the sport.
TOP 13 best soccer managers in history
1. Alex Ferguson (Scotland)
2. Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)
3. Pep Guardiola (Spain)
4. José Mourinho (Portugal)
5. Rinus Michels (Netherlands)
6. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
7. Bill Shankly (Scotland)
8. Helenio Herrera (Argentina)
9. Ernst Happel (Austria)
10. Vicente del Bosque (Spain)
11. Miguel Muñoz (Spain)
12. Ottmar Hitzfeld (Germany)
13. Zagallo (Brazil)
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