English football has been shaped by a host of outstanding managers over the years, many of whom are considered among the greatest to ever patrol the touchline. Figures such as Brian Clough, Bill Shankly, and Sir Matt Busby helped lay the foundations for the generation that would later define the Premier League era.
Since the league’s rebrand in 1992, the top tier in England has continued to evolve and grow, attracting world-class coaches from around the world, each aiming to impose their philosophy and achieve success. Jamie Carragher is someone with first-hand experience of competing under and against such figures. The former Liverpool defender racked up 508 Premier League appearances and, in May 2024, shared his list of the five greatest managers in the competition’s history.
5 Arsene Wenger
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Only one manager has accumulated more Premier League points than the iconic Arsène Wenger, yet that still saw him placed fifth in Carragher’s rankings. During his time at Arsenal, Wenger secured three league titles, including the famous 2003/04 “Invincibles” campaign—an achievement that remains unmatched.
Carragher, unlike his Stick to Football colleague Gary Neville, ranked Wenger lower largely due to his record in Europe. Despite domestic success, Arsenal reached the Champions League final just once under Wenger, losing 2-1 to Barcelona in 2006.
4 Jurgen Klopp
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Instead, Carragher put Jürgen Klopp in fourth place, pointing to his Champions League triumph and two additional finals with Liverpool. When Klopp arrived at Anfield, the club was struggling in mid-table, but by the time he left at the end of the 2023/24 season, they had re-established themselves among the elite.
Even while competing against one of the strongest sides English football has ever seen, Klopp still enjoyed major domestic success, highlighted by ending Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a league title.
3 Jose Mourinho
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in a press conference
Jose Mourinho, despite no longer being involved in the Premier League, has already done enough to secure his place among its greatest managers. Arriving at Chelsea in 2004, the self-proclaimed “Special One” made an instant impact, winning back-to-back league titles and outperforming both Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
What earned him third spot in Carragher’s list, however, was his return to Chelsea years later, where he guided a seemingly less formidable squad to another title. Although his spells at Manchester United and Tottenham didn’t reach the same heights, his legacy at Chelsea remains undeniable.
2 Sir Alex Ferguson
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says goodbye to the travelling supporters.
Sir Alex Ferguson might top many lists, but Carragher placed him second despite his incredible longevity and success. The former Liverpool defender insists this decision isn’t influenced by rivalry, even suggesting Ferguson’s achievements with Aberdeen strengthen his claim as the greatest manager overall.
However, when focusing solely on the Premier League era, Carragher believes another manager’s shorter but more dominant spell edges ahead of Ferguson’s 13-title haul, leaving the Scotsman just shy of top spot.
1 Pep Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on the touchline
That honour goes to Pep Guardiola. Interestingly, Ferguson himself reportedly wanted Guardiola to succeed him at Manchester United, underlining his respect for the Spaniard’s abilities. Carragher praised Guardiola’s extraordinary record of six titles in seven years, along with groundbreaking achievements in English football.
Guardiola became the first manager to win four consecutive Premier League titles and also led a team to a record-breaking 100-point season—feats that make Carragher’s choice difficult to dispute.
Gary Neville Related
Gary Neville Ranked His 5 Greatest Managers in Premier League History
Neville named Jurgen Klopp in fifth while discussing his choices for the five greatest Premier League managers in history.