50. George Graham
Among the reasons why Graham got the Arsenal job in 1986 was because Alex Ferguson – the Gunners’ second choice after Terry Venables – wanted to coach Scotland at that year’s World Cup. What the Scot eventually created at Arsenal transcended Highbury’s hallowed marble halls and made him a byword in football circles for no-nonsense, demanding management.
Prioritising a solid defence over a free-flowing attack, Graham won two league titles, two League Cups, an FA Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup in north London. His back four of Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn is the most famous and fabled in English football history.
49. Aime Jacquet
France had triumphed at Euro 84 and finished third in Mexico two years later, then qualified for only one of the following four major tournaments. By 1998 hopes were fairly minimal, yet Jacquet’s rainbow warriors went all the way to unite a country divided, hammering favourites Brazil 3-0.
“Days before the final, Jacquet emphasised corners,” said two-goal set-piece hero, Zinedine Zidane. “He said, ‘I guarantee if you go in with conviction, you can do something’.” Good pep talk, gaffer.
48. Luis Aragones
Detractors argue Aragones took on Spain at a perfect time, just as a golden generation was beginning to shine.
In truth, there was no one better to lead such a group; talented, but unpolished. With Aragones’ charisma, Spain added steel – committing more fouls than any team at Euro 2008 – yet their boss also united a fractured dressing room.
“He was the most influential person in my career,” revealed Xavi. “He gave me impossible levels of confidence.”
47. Otto Rehhagel
The underdog spirit hasn’t been lost on Rehhagel. He took lowly Kaiserslautern back up to the Bundesliga in 1996/97 before winning it a season later, and topped that achievement by coaching a plucky Greek side to Euro 2004 glory – twice beating hosts Portugal en route.
He had previously hoisted the DFB-Pokal with Fortuna Dusseldorf, and the Bundesliga trophy twice at Werder Bremen either side of victory in the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final.
46. Bobby Robson
Robson began his managerial career at Fulham, but it was in second job Ipswich that he made his mark. The former inside-forward established Ipswich as top-six regulars in the First Division, and masterminded triumphs in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup.
That earned him the England job, which ended on a high note with a semi-final appearance at Italia 90.
Robson won two Eredivisie titles with PSV thereafter, followed by two league championships at Porto and the Cup Winners’ Cup at Barcelona.
45. Bill Struth
Not even Alex Ferguson can match the tally of league titles won by Bill Struth – Rangers were crowned champions an astonishing 18 times during his era.
He achieved it all despite having no playing career of any sort. “He didn’t know a great deal about football, but he was a great manager,” said ex-winger Johnny Hubbard.
Struth largely left the tactics to his coaches, but was clever when it came to recruitment and his big focus was on fitness, diet and discipline. Ibrox’s main stand is named in his honour.
44. Tele Santana
“One of my biggest regrets is not winning a trophy for Tele. If anybody deserved one, it was him.”
So wailed Zico, reflecting on Brazil’s revered losers of 1982. Santana’s joga bonito had taken them to Spain 19 games unbeaten, but defeat by Italy meant they didn’t get past the second group.
He had another go in 1986, but Brazil were last-eight losers on penalties. Mercifully, he won consecutive Libertadores and Intercontinental Cups as Sao Paulo boss.
43. Diego Simeone
When Simeone returned to coach Atletico Madrid in December 2011, they were 10th in La Liga and had been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third-tier Albacete.
By May, they’d qualified for Europe – and ever since, the relationship between club and manager has become so symbiotic that it’s impossible to imagine one without the other.
El Cholo’s brand of bastardy broke La Liga’s duopoly in 2014 and 2021 - and no one would bet against him doing it again.
42. Albert Batteux
Batteux is Ligue 1’s most successful manager, who oversaw two golden eras. First, he won five titles with local side Reims, steering them to two European Cup finals; later, he led Saint-Etienne to a hat-trick of league triumphs – via his adored brand of ‘champagne football’.
“He was very funny,” revealed Just Fontaine, who scored a record-breaking 13 goals under Batteux as France finished third at the 1958 World Cup. “We listened to him with delight.”
41. Rafael Benitez
At some point during Benitez’s half-time speech in the 2005 Champions League Final, it was pointed out that he had put 12 players on his tactics board. Unperturbed, the Spaniard simply chalked one off and pressed ahead; the rest went down in history.
Benitez had already established himself as one of the game’s wiliest operators before that, guiding Valencia to two La Liga crowns and the 2004 UEFA Cup. The title eluded him at Anfield, but ‘Rafa’ – who delivered the Reds’ last FA Cup of 2006 – will forever be on first-name terms.
