Top 10 Greatest English Football Managers of All Time (Ranked)

Having birthed the sport, England holds a prestigious position within the footballing landscape. From the historic World Cup victory in 1966 to the Women's team triumphing at the Euros in 2022, England's international successes may be sporadic, but the nation consistently remains near the pinnacle of the sport.

To maintain their place in footballing history, England has produced a wealth of talented players and, crucially, exceptional managers. While the country may not currently have a plethora of top-tier managers, it has a rich history of coaches with numerous major honors to their names.

Modern managers like Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche have shown potential but have yet to make the same impact as legends such as Brian Clough and Sir Bobby Robson. Below is a list of the ten greatest English managers of all time, ranked based on three key factors:

Ranking Factors

• Longevity: The best coaches have been able to dominate across different eras.
• Success: The size of a manager's trophy cabinet is influenced by the teams they have represented, so titles won at traditionally smaller clubs are looked upon favorably.
• Influence: Pots and prizes are important, but a great manager also leaves behind a defining legacy.

10. Gareth Southgate

Managerial Career: 2006 - Present

One of the few modern managers who can legitimately be considered among England's greatest, Gareth Southgate's recent achievements with the national team arguably place him in the country's top two coaches of all time.

Southgate's managerial journey began with a three-season spell at Middlesbrough, after which he transitioned to international football by taking charge of the England Under-21s in 2013. His tenure with the youth side prepared him for the senior team, and in 2016, he seized the opportunity when Sam Allardyce was dismissed. Initially appointed as interim coach, Southgate quickly cemented his position, guiding England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the European Championship final in 2021.

Despite facing criticism for his perceived lack of tactical innovation, Southgate's impact on the national team has been transformative. He has overseen a significant cultural shift within the squad, fostering a positive environment and directly contributing to one of the most successful periods in England's modern football history.

9. Tom Watson

Managerial Career: 1888 - 1915

While many fans may have never heard of Sunderland great Tom Watson, he was arguably the first era-defining coach in English football. The Newcastle-born manager is credited with introducing tactical innovations to the game and built two of the first dominant teams in the First Division.

A footballing pioneer, Watson led Sunderland to three league titles in four years during the 1890s, before moving to Liverpool in 1896. He spent 15 years on Merseyside, winning two First Division titles and guiding the Reds to their first-ever FA Cup final in 1914. Watson remains Liverpool's longest-serving manager, having spent 19 years at Anfield.

8. Howard Kendall

Managerial Career: 1979 - 1999

Howard Kendall, a man who enjoyed spells at several clubs, is most notably remembered for his success at Everton, where he remains an iconic and influential figure in the club's history. Kendall managed over 270 games for the Toffees as a player and continued impacting the Merseyside club as a manager, winning two League titles and an FA Cup.

Frustrated by the ban on English clubs from participating in Europe, Kendall eventually departed Goodison Park for Athletic Club. There is some speculation about how much greater Kendall's influence could've been had he been able to continue working with a wonderfully assembled side that included the likes of Gary Lineker and Peter Reid.

7. Don Revie

Managerial Career: 1961 - 1977

Considered by many as the greatest Leeds United coach in history, Don Revie was a staple of English football during the late 1960s and early 1970s, forming an infamous rivalry with Brian Clough. Revie was known for revolutionizing the way teams scouted and prepared for opponents, building a physical Leeds team that contributed to the narrative of English football being brutal and nasty.

By 1964, just three years after his arrival, Revie had taken the Yorkshire club to the first division after winning promotion from the second tier. He then guided his team to two league titles and an FA Cup, cementing his legacy with a statue outside Elland Road. This success with the Whites earned Revie the England job, where he won the British Home Championship in 1975.

6. Bill Nicholson

Managerial Career: 1958 - 1974

Another manager often hailed as the greatest ever for his club, Bill Nicholson, spent 36 years at Tottenham as a player and manager. The legendary boss now has a street in North London named after him, a testament to his enduring legacy. Nicholson led Spurs during their most successful era, winning the club their last League title in 1961, as well as three FA Cups, two League Cups, and two European trophies.

Nicholson is applauded for being the first manager in English football to win the League and Cup double in the 20th century and the first to lead an English team to a major European trophy. His contributions to the game were recognized with an OBE in 1975, and he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003 for his significant impact on both Tottenham and English football.

5. Herbert Chapman

Managerial Career: 1907 - 1934

Across north London, Herbert Chapman made waves similar to Nicholson roughly 30 years earlier, bringing major silverware to Arsenal. Unlike his counterpart, Chapman began his managerial success elsewhere, winning two First Division titles and an FA Cup at Huddersfield Town.

The Yorkshireman built on this success when he moved to Arsenal, transforming the Gunners from a side regularly fighting relegation into a powerhouse that won the club's first three league titles and an FA Cup. Under Chapman's guidance, Arsenal dominated English football during the 1930s. Not only did he introduce several tactical innovations, but he was also incredibly influential in professionalizing the sport in the United Kingdom. Chapman ensured players were paid fairly and pioneered advanced training techniques, including the use of physiotherapists and massage therapists. His impact on the game was profound, shaping the future of football both on and off the pitch.

4. Sir Alf Ramsey

Managerial Career: 1955 - 1978

A name that will live eternally in England's hall of fame, Sir Alf Ramsey was the figurehead for the nation's greatest-ever side, winning the World Cup on home soil in 1966. Known for his uncompromising character and pragmatic tactical approach, Ramsey's achievements in 1966 have been commemorated with a road in Ipswich named after him and a statue at Wembley Stadium, erected in 2009.

Ramsey led Ipswich Town for eight years, during which he guided the club to a First Division triumph in 1962, a remarkable feat considering it was their first-ever season in the top flight following promotion. This success at Portman Road earned him the England job, where his tactical innovation of utilizing a narrow formation led to the country's first and only major international honor.

He followed this with a run to the semi-finals and subsequent third-place finish at Euro 1968 before things unraveled, and he was dismissed after failing to qualify for the World Cup in 1974. While Ramsey had his critics, he left behind a legacy as the only person to coach England to victory in a major tournament.

3. Sir Bobby Robson

Managerial Career: 1968 - 2004

One of the most coveted managers in England's history, Sir Bobby Robson's portfolio excels in all criteria. The iconic coach had longevity in the game, surviving the constantly changing environment as football modernized, to enjoy a 36-year managerial career.

Robson won it all; four league titles, the UEFA Cup, the FA Cup, and several more domestic cups were all part of his substantial set of accolades. Regarding his influence on the game, Robson was rewarded with many individual awards and a knighthood, being described as devoting his "talents to the good of the game." He's widely understood to be Ipswich's greatest-ever manager, outdoing Alf Ramsey's achievements by delivering the Tractor Boys' only piece of European silverware. He's praised for being one of the first English managers to make a major impact on the continent, taking charge of many of Europe's top clubs.