Top 10 Managers in English Premier League history

Last Updated on April 1, 2016

We know them by a single name, we know them like our own family members, they are known by the silhouette they cast along the touchline.

Mourinho, Wenger, Ferguson, Benitez….in past and present the English Premier League has seen its share of iconic managers and these are only four of them.

The list is based on the best winning percentage in the Barclays Premier League, having managed a minimum of 50 matches. The special ones like Pat Rice (Arsenal), John Carver (Newcastle) and Jim Barron (Aston Villa), who all boast a 100% winning record in the English Premier League. However, Carver and Barron have managed Newcastle and Aston villa respectively only once, whilst Pat Rice managed Arsenal three times, they fail to be included in our list of top 10 managers in English Premier League. But what a boast that was!

It is sure that the list will certainly spark some debates, so please feel free to have your constructive comments.

Top 10 Managers in English Premier League history

10. Gianluca Vialli (winning rate: 48%)

Between 1998 and 2000, Vialli managed Chelsea 94 times in the English Premier League. At the pre-Abramovich Chelsea era, the Italian had a great successful time. Vialli managed to win 45 games of the 94 matches in the Premier league, winning five trophies in less than three years of his service. He is the most successful manager at the time of his tenure at Chelsea with a league win record of 48% and it is easy to see why.

9. Kenny Dalglish (winning rate: 48%)

Kenny Dalglish, commonly known as ‘King Kenny’ in the red half of Liverpool FC, has had a successful career both as a player and a manager. Kenny had managed the Reds twice and in total 238 Premier League matches. The Scottish manager won 115 of those, earning himself a success rate of 48%.

8. Andre Villas-Boas (winning rate: 52%)

Andre Villas-Boas may have failed at Chelsea and Tottenham, but his win percentage suggests otherwise. Despite a success rate of 52% with winning 42 of his 81 Premier League matches, the Portuguese tactician has struggled enough to win over the critics in England. Still his winning isn’t half bad at all.

7. Claudio Ranieri (winning rate: 52%)

Commonly known as “The Tinkerman”, Claudio Ranieri was a popular figure at his time at Chelsea. After taking over from Gianluca Vialli in September 2000, the Italian tactician managed 146 matches at Stamford Bridge, winning 76 of them. Ranieri is now in the French League 1 managing AS Monaco and after 2014 World Cup he took the managing hand of Greek National Football team.

6. Rafael Benitez (winning rate: 56%)

Rafael Benitez has proved himself to be one of the most iconic managers in English Premier League history and his record shows that. At Liverpool, Benitez won 141 of his 254 matches in the Premier League with a success rate of 56%. The Spaniard is now at Napoli and trying his best at Italian Serie A. Rafael Benitez is best remembered by the Liverpool fan for his significant role in Liverpool’s Champions League success in 2005.

5. Arsene Wenger (winning rate: 58%)

The current Arsenal manager is by far the most successful and also longest-standing manager in the English Premier League. The Frenchman started his managerial career at Arsenal in 1996 and he is still there now winning 386 of his 666 Premier League matches. His impressive record also includes winning the title three times for the gunners, including the memorable campaign of 2003/04, when his ‘Invincible’ side didn’t lose a single match.

4. Roberto Mancini (winning rate: 62%)

In Manchester City, Roberto Mancini won 82 matches of his 133 as the club find themselves at the very top of the English game. In 2012, the Italian guided the club to the Premier League title. He remains as a much loved character at Eastlands.

3. Carlo Ancelotti (winning rate: 63%)

Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed a very successful two seasons as Chelsea manager between 2009 and 2011. Currently he is managing Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti, in his first season in England won the League and FA Cup double, doing so in an exciting manner. Chelsea netted 103 goals in their 2009/10 season, more than any other club in Premier League history. His record of winning 48 games out of 76 matches suggests how successful he was at his time in England.

2. Sir Alex Ferguson (winning rate: 65%)

Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to be seen as one of the ionic managers to have graced English football more than anyone else. The tough Scotsman managed to win an incredible 528 wins in 810 Premier League matches. For Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson won 13 EPL titles as well as many other titles. Ferguson has become such a legend that he will be admired as one at Old Trafford for an infinite period of time.

1. Jose Mourinho (winning rate: 70%)

Jose Mourinho, ‘The Special One’ is currently in the middle of his second stint as Chelsea manager. The legendary Portuguese tactician has managed to won 105 of his 149 English Premier League matches to date, earning him an incredible 70% winning rate.

The special one guided Chelsea to grab two league titles in his first two seasons at the Bridge. Jose Mourinho currently boasts a record of 75 unbeaten matches at home. In the 2004/05 season the club collected a record 95 points in accorded with Mourinho’s tactics.

With an incredible performance, it is hardly surprising that Jose Mourinho leads this list of top 10 managers in English Premier League history with the success rate of 70%.