30. Jock Stein
Celtic had been formed 78 years earlier, but Stein became only the fourth boss in their history when he took the reins in 1965.
The Bhoys were mid-table and hadn’t won the league for 11 years – but Stein needed just a month to bag their first Scottish Cup since 1955, then lifted the title and reached the Cup Winners’ Cup semis in his first full season.
Stein won another nine league championships and seven Scottish Cups, but his crowning glory came in 1967 when he led a Celtic team comprised almost entirely of players born within 10 miles of Parkhead to European Cup glory.
29. Jurgen Klopp
Klopp’s charismatic front doesn’t do justice to the tactical mind behind that trademark grin. The German boss has proved his prowess as a master motivator balancing chaos with control, having progressed both Dortmund and Liverpool beyond recognition.
Consecutive titles with the former established him as one of football’s brightest minds, while steady but spectacular upgrades have taken the Reds to Champions League and Premier League glory.
28. Jose Villalonga
Few have succeeded in crossing a city’s divide and winning on both sides. Villalonga did, though, capturing two La Liga titles, two Copas Latina and the first two European Cups with Real Madrid – his first, aged just 36 years.
Later he lifted two domestic cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup with Atletico, and to cap it all led Spain to Euros glory in 1964 – their first trophy. Not too shabby for someone who never played professionally and only managed for 11 years.
27. Mario Zagallo
Twice a world champion as a player, Zagallo also coached the greatest team of all time as Brazil won their third World Cup in 1970.
But doing so wasn’t easy; the Selecao had been kicked off the park during the 1966 World Cup and “the scars were still there”, as Pele revealed.
Zagallo also managed to fit in the likes of Jairzinho, Rivelino, Tostao and Gerson, leading to Peru, Uruguay and Italy all being torn apart as Brazil scored 19 times en route to victory at Estadio Azteca. “It was all down to Zagallo’s work,” said Carlos Alberto.
26. Alf Ramsey
In just six seasons between 1956 and 1962, Ramsey transformed Ipswich from third-tier nobodies to First Division champions on a shoestring budget, finishing four points above Bill Nicholson’s legendary Spurs Double winners of 1961 to scoop the title in their first top-flight campaign.
Ramsey then took charge of England in 1963 and led them to their only World Cup success three years later, with his wingless wonders system beating West Germany 4-2 in a thrilling final.
He remained England boss until 1974, after which followed spells at Birmingham as manager and Panathinaikos (who else?) as a technical director.
25. Herbert Chapman
Chapman transformed football in England. He was the first manager to pick his own line-ups, decide transfers and deploy a third back in defence, responding to 1925’s offside law overhaul.
In 1919, he had been banned from football after reportedly making illegal payments as Leeds City boss – but it was reversed, and Chapman won consecutive titles at Huddersfield.
He did it at Arsenal as well, and would have had three but for his death from pneumonia in 1934.
24. Fabio Capello
Capello may not have had much luck with England or Russia, but his club record holds up among the best.
A seven-time league champion across spells with Milan, Real Madrid and Roma, Don Fabio also pocketed a European Cup medal when his Milan mauled Barcelona 4-0 in 1994.
But his style didn’t suit everyone. In a second stint at Madrid, Capello won a second title – yet still got sacked. “For me, he was very important,” commented the legendary Raul about Capello’s original term
23. Arsene Wenger
History will recall Wenger’s 22 years as Arsenal boss by two Doubles, seven FA Cups, one Invincibles season and a record 49 games unbeaten.
But it should also remember how he inspired everyone around him. Le Prof was among the last great idealists; a coach who improved his players by giving them freedom and the belief to soon become world-beaters.
Wenger didn’t just remodel English football in the 1990s – he ignited it with imagination.
22. Bob Paisley
Liverpool’s most decorated gaffer didn’t even want the job. After all, how could the Reds’ long-time assistant follow Bill Shankly’s feats? As it turned out: pretty well.
Paisley inherited excellence in 1974 but hit new heights – after finishing second in his debut season, Liverpool claimed six of the next eight First Division titles and three European Cups in five years.
“People talked about ‘Uncle Bob’,” said former Red Phil Thompson. “He was as ruthless as they come.”
21. Bela Guttmann
Guttmann lived on the idea that “the third season is fatal”, drifting in a nomadic management career of 40 years, but never spending longer than two seasons at any one team. He won his first title with Ujpest in 1939, then triumphed again in a second spell with the club in 1947.
After successful spells with Sao Paulo (one State Championship) and Porto (one Portuguesa Liga), Guttmann guided Benfica to back-to-back European Cups – then cursed the club in continental competition for 100 years after they refused him a pay rise.
