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10 Greatest Managers in English Football History Ranked by Ray Parlour

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Being a football manager is not easy at all. There have been so many examples of individuals having extraordinary playing careers, but then failing when they turn their hand to management.

However, despite how difficult it is to succeed as a manager, some have been able to make it look easy in the history of English football.

In the 21st century, the likes of Brian Clough, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson have all had tremendous success. Since the turn of the millennium, Jose Mourinho did some extraordinary things at Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp thrived at Liverpool and Pep Guardiola continues to win trophy after trophy at Manchester City.

Amid Guardiola’s success at City, Arsenal icon Ray Parlour has now named and ranked the 10 greatest managers in English football history in an interview with 10betSports.

Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho Make Parlour’s Top 10

Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp

Clough sneaked into Parlour’s top 10. The Englishman enjoyed great success at both Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He won a plethora of trophies at the latter, including an English league title in 1978 and back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.

Mourinho was ranked in ninth. The ‘Special One’ thrived in two spells at Chelsea, while he also took charge at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Parlour said of Mourinho:

“What he achieved at Chelsea was unbelievable. I talk to Frank Lampard and John Terry, people like that, and they tell me what a manager he was.”

Two Liverpool legends follow in Jurgen Klopp and Bob Paisley. Klopp made Liverpool one of the world’s best sides again in a highly successful spell, while Paisley won 20 trophies at the Reds, including six league titles and three European Cups.

Just missing out on the top five was Sir Matt Busby. Parlour was full of praise for the Man Utd icon, saying: “He was a bit out of my era, but my dad used to tell me all about Manchester United and how good they were.”

Ray Parlour’s 10 greatest managers in English football history (10-6)

Rank

Manager

Nationality

English clubs managed

10

Brian Clough

England

Hartlepool United, Derby County, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest

9

Jose Mourinho

Portugal

Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

8

Jurgen Klopp

Germany

Liverpool

7

Bob Paisley

England

Liverpool

6

Sir Matt Busby

Scotland

Manchester United

Ray Parlour Ranks Sir Alex Ferguson Above Pep Guardiola

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks dejected at Old Trafford

Parlour has ranked Sir Bobby Robson as the fifth-greatest manager in English football history, with England’s only World Cup winning manager, the legendary Sir Alf Ramsay, a place ahead of him.

Arsene Wenger has been ranked in third, with Parlour very complimentary of his former manager. He said:

“He changed the attitude of football in England. And he was brilliant for me and my career. What he achieved at the club was amazing. Well deserved statue outside the Emirates Stadium.”

Pep Guardiola, who recently won his 20th major trophy at Manchester City following their success over Chelsea in the FA Cup, is the second-greatest manager in English football history in the eyes of Parlour, with the Arsenal icon describing him as ‘amazing’ and ‘an absolute revelation.’

For Parlour, only Sir Alex Ferguson is greater than Guardiola. The Scotsman, considered one of the greatest managers in football history, won 38 major trophies during his 26-year tenure at Manchester United, including 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups.

Ray Parlour’s 10 greatest managers in English football history (5-1)

Rank

Manager

Nationality

English clubs managed

5

Sir Bobby Robson

England

Fulham, Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, England

4

Sir Alf Ramsay

England

Ipswich Town, England, Birmingham City

3

Arsene Wenger

France

Arsenal

2

Pep Guardiola

Spain

Manchester City

1

Sir Alex Ferguson

Scotland

Manchester United

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Newcastle Could Have Free Run at Marcus Rashford

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Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon looks set to leave the club in the summer transfer window, and they could have a free run at signing an upgrade in that position.

It could be a busy summer window for the Magpies as they look to head back in the right direction following a disappointing season.

Some players, like Gordon, are likely to head through the exit door after they fail to qualify for European competitions.

As a result, Newcastle could be busy in terms of incomings, and they will also have to find a replacement for Gordon.

A deal for Gordon to leave the club appears to have moved fast, and it will be interesting to see whether they already have a replacement lined up.


Anthony Gordon England


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Barcelona Agree Gordon Deal

Anthony Gordon England

Reports emerged on Wednesday that Barcelona had made a bid of around £70m to sign Newcastle winger Gordon ahead of the summer transfer window.

Just hours later, it was reported that a deal had been agreed between the two clubs, with a medical booked in for Gordon to complete his move to the La Liga giants.

The Magpies will now work on trying to bring in a replacement for the England international, who is set to head off to the World Cup in the coming weeks.

It’s unclear who Newcastle could look to target, but the ideal replacement could be Marcus Rashford, who spent this season on loan at Barcelona.

Newcastle Could Have Free Run at Rashford

Marcus Rashford

With Barcelona targeting Gordon in the summer transfer window, Newcastle could have a free run to sign Manchester United winger Rashford.

The English forward spent the season on loan at Barcelona, and their pursuit of Gordon perhaps hints that they won’t sign Rashford on a permanent deal.

Gordon and Rashford are very similar. They’re left-sided attackers, both using their pace to get in behind to try to score and create goals. Rashford, described as one of the best players in the world, could be the ideal replacement for Gordon, and he’d only cost a fraction of the price.

There is also an argument to suggest that Rashford would be an upgrade on Gordon, with the latter struggling to produce in the Premier League this season.

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Crystal Palace Set to Hire Andoni Iraola After Conference League Victory

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Crystal Palace could announce their new manager as soon as Thursday, after lifting the Europa Conference League.

Palace have been searching for a new coach over the last few months after it was confirmed that Oliver Glasner would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

The Austrian manager gave the Eagles plenty of time to find a replacement, and he went out on a massive high on Wednesday night.

Palace lifted the Europa Conference League on Wednesday with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the only goal of the game.

That was Palace’s third trophy since Glasner had arrived at the club, cementing him as one of the greatest managers in their history.

Now, it’s time for a new era for the capital club.


Oliver Glasner


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Palace Close to New Manager

Oliver Glasner

According to reports in Italy, Crystal Palace are close to announcing their new manager, and it could be confirmed as soon as Thursday, the day after lifting the Conference League title.

It’s claimed that Andoni Iraola, who has now left Bournemouth, is set to join Crystal Palace after turning down the AC Milan job.

The Italian club were pushing to bring Iraola to Milan, but Palace have offered him the chance to continue working in the Premier League and not move his family.

The report adds that Palace could even offer triple the transfer budget that Milan were offering, meaning they are likely to beat the Serie A club in the race for Iraola.

Iraola a Huge Coup for Palace

Andoni Iraola salutes the Bournemouth fans
Andoni Iraola salutes the Bournemouth fans

Securing the signature of Iraola is a huge move for Palace heading into the 2026-2027 season.

The 43-year-old has done a phenomenal job during his time at Bournemouth, helping guide them to European football this campaign, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp labelling him as being an ‘elite’ manager.

Iraola has dealt with a lot of turmoil with the Cherries, often selling their best players, but he still produces results.

There’s no doubt Bournemouth’s recruitment model has helped Iraola to flourish, so Palace will need to ensure that they back him in the transfer market.

It’s an exciting time for Palace supporters, especially after lifting another trophy this week.

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Aston Villa Plotting Surprise Move for Liverpool Star Joe Gomez

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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has emerged as a target for Premier League rivals Aston Villa, according to The Daily Mail.

The Reds are facing another big overhaul in their squad, less than 12 months on from a club-record £450m spend in one transfer window.

Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah bid their farewells to the club last weekend and there is expected to be plenty more movement in and out of the squad before the transfer window closes.

At centre-back, Virgil van Dijk has just one year left on his contract while Ibrahima Konate’s deal is up next month and an agreement has still not been reached to prolong his Anfield career.

Aston Villa eye Joe Gomez move

joe gomez

Villa are ready to pounce on Gomez’s contract uncertainty to add further depth to their squad as they prepare to return to the Champions League.

Gomez has one year left on his deal at Anfield and The Daily Mail reports the defender’s versatility appeals to Villa, who would be willing to do business if the price is right.

The defender is Liverpool’s longest-serving player but he has struggled with injury for much of his Anfield career. He can play at centre-back and right-back and, when fit, has proven to be a reliable option.

Last summer, he was targeted by Crystal Palace as the Reds tried to sign Marc Guehi. At the time, Van Dijk branded Gomez as ‘outstanding‘ and publicly called for him to remain at Liverpool.

Besiktas and AC Milan are also credited with an interest in the 29-year-old.

Liverpool must be cautious over potential Joe Gomez exit

Stade Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet in action with Paris St Germain's Bradley Barcola

Liverpool could be reluctant to sell Gomez to Villa this summer with their three most senior centre-backs out of contract within the next 12 months.

If Konate departs, the Reds will be down to four senior centre-backs. They signed Jérémy Jacquet in the January window, with the 20-year-old Frenchman to join up with the club ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

He has been out with an injury but is poised to be fit for the start of next season. Giovanni Leoni arrived at Anfield for £26m from Parma last summer but has spent almost the whole campaign sidelined by an ACL injury.

He sustained the blow in his debut for the Reds against Southampton and is unlikely to be fully fit for the new season.

Unless the Reds are planning further additions in defence, Villa could have a hard time convincing their Premier League rivals to sanction an exit for Gomez.

However, his injury record and contract situation do mean a sale is more likely compared to 12 months ago.


Aston Villa manager Unai Emery gives the thumbs-up


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