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The Ten Best Managers in British Football

By Jimmy Leach
Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Brian Clough

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Many are claiming that Manchester United's latest title triumph is confirmation that Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager to have ever plied his trade on these shores.

To understand the legends that Ferguson is up against we've compiled the greatest ever managers in the history of British football.

If Ferguson can lead United to victory in the upcoming Champions League final, it will see him equal Bob Paisley's record of three European titles and leave few arguments against his standing as the greatest of them all.

But who do you think is the greatest? Which managers should have made our Ten Best list? Leave your comments and suggestions below.

Click the image on the right to launch our guide.

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jock stein

Posted by paddy | 20.09.09, 19:23 GMT

What about Bill Shankly? - not only did he create the Liverpool style of play, he also created the successorship to maintain it after him, in Bob Paisley.

Posted by Danny Cooke | 18.09.09, 20:12 GMT

Would Alex Ferguson really be the is the greatest manager to have ever plied his trade on these shores , not really as the millions of pounds of the American owners have helped him.
It is not fair to compare him to other managers as he is not on an equal footing financially with them.
For example a couple of seasons ago he bought 3x 20 million players in the summer transfer window , Nani ,Anderson and Hargreaves.
He also paid over 30 million for Rio Ferdinand , and Berbatov , something that other managers like Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger cannot do because they have not got he cash.
Bob Paisley was a far better manager becuase he did not use a massive cheque book , paying over inflated prices for players.

Posted by Steve | 17.09.09, 13:49 GMT

In NI, we tend to tag on to glamourous, successful clubs in England and maybe don't have a great appreciation of managers (or indeed football) outside of those clubs.
Ferguson & Paisley have had great success but Brian Clough stands alone on what he achieved, with the resources he had.

Posted by BM | 17.09.09, 13:16 GMT

If versatility is one of the requirements for being the greatest manager ever, then Ferguson is nowhere near the best. He's just managed to get himself into a nice position where United's owners in the past have had lots of patience compared to other clubs and also plenty of money. How can anyone argue that he's the greatest manager of all time when he has never taken on any new challenges, like international management?

Posted by Jim | 16.09.09, 23:10 GMT

My opinion Matt Busby. He created the famous Busby Babes.
Wood Foulkes and Byrne.
Colman Jones and Edwards.
Berry Whelan Taylor Violet and Pegg
I have watched United for over 60 years and this team was great.
He then showed his greatness when he remolded the team after the air disaster.

Posted by Thomas McCartney | 16.09.09, 18:29 GMT

Wesley

LOL @ the billy bingham fantasy! A man whos only contribution to NI football was to lead the sectarian hordes at Windsor in renditions of 'the sash' and 'the billy boys'??

It's gotta be between Bob Paisley, Brian Clough and Jock Stein (Ferguson doesn't feature as he's used money, intimidation and the most underhand of tactics to achieve success at a club/brand which has lost the respect of genuine football fans everywhere)

Posted by mark | 16.09.09, 17:58 GMT

Can only be Sir Alex. Despite the fact money 'can buy trophies' now, Fergie proved himself at Aberdeen by breaking the Old Firm tradition and succeeding in Europe. Also he succeeded with Man Utd before money came into play a big role: in 1999 Fergie had no £30million players. His team was partly built from youth and partly through good buys. He is my bet. I still can't beat his record on Footie Manager.

Posted by Chris | 16.09.09, 17:55 GMT

hi....i am parvez from mauritius.....sir alex ferguson is the greatest managers of all time,simply of achieving 11 leagues titles and 2 times 3 in a row which no club has ever done........only 4 teams have done one in a row......to be crowned champions of england and champions of europe twice and doing a treble.......that`s something not so evident to achieve......the european club were playing only 9 games to 10 in the 1970 and 1980.....where as now it all has been changed.....

Posted by parvez | 16.09.09, 16:20 GMT

'Sir' Billy Bingham deserves to be up there for all he did with our wee country.

Maybe not the most successful but undoubtetly one of the very best. A tue gentleman as well.

Posted by Wesley_Artigarvan | 16.09.09, 16:19 GMT

I did say that it was painful, Ray! Revie was good, very good, but Sir Alex's record is hard to argue with. I will never forget the day he landed Monsieur Eric Cantona for just over a million quid. For that alone he should be regarded as the greatest.

Posted by Will Hawkes | 16.09.09, 15:49 GMT

Bob Paisley- and a gentleman to boot; no mind games or abuse of referees with him unlike some of the modern day millionaire managers

Posted by Ian | 16.09.09, 15:26 GMT

come on Will no true leeds fan could say that i say don revie

Posted by ray .. usa | 16.09.09, 15:25 GMT

Jock Stein is unquestionably the best, for what he achieved without recourse to a cheque book. Remember Celtic were a complete shambles before he took over as well and went on to win 9 in a row Championships as well as the European Cup.

Also, big Jock taught Fergie all he knew when Fergie was his Assistant as Scottish boss

Posted by Tony | 16.09.09, 15:19 GMT

As a Leeds fan it pains me to say this, but Sir Alex Ferguson is, without question, the greatest manager ever in British football history. His record is second to none.

Posted by Will Hawkes | 16.09.09, 14:52 GMT