A good manager is able to turn games on their heads with impressive substitutions. These six coaches’ replacements have scored the most goals and provided most assists:
5= Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
Premier League games managed this season: 37
Substitutions made: 102
Substitute goals: 5
Substitute assists: 13
Total substitute goals + assists: 18
Arsene Wenger is not typically thought of as a game changing manager, with Arsenal fans regularly frustrated at his tendency to wait until the 70th minute before making a change.
The wily French coach seems to prefer to focus on managing the fitness levels of his players rather than making tactical switches, but the addition of fresh legs could make a difference.
Lukas Podolski has been Arsenal’s most effective weapon from the bench this season, with two goals and two assists.
5= Mauricio Pochettino (Southampton)
Premier League games managed this season: 37
Substitutions made: 103
Substitute goals: 7
Substitute assists: 11
Total substitute goals + assists: 18
Mauricio Pochettino’s stock continues to rise thanks to a hugely encouraging season in charge of Southampton.
The Argentine coach has evolved the south coast side’s playing style and turned them into a top half challenging team – in just their second season back in the Premier League.
Rickie Lambert and Gaston Ramirez have been his most effective replacements, directly contributing to three goals each.
4. Gus Poyet (Sunderland)
Premier League games managed this season: 29
Substitutions made: 81
Substitute goals: 7
Substitute assists: 15
Total substitute goals + assists: 22
Gus Poyet has done a magnificent job at Sunderland, taking over from Paolo Di Canio in October and saving the Black Cats from what appeared to be certain relegation.
One of his strengths has been his decisive substitutions, and Emanuele Giaccherini has been particularly impressive.
The Italian has come off the bench seven times, scoring twice and providing three assists in that time.
3. Roberto Martinez (Everton)
Premier League games managed this season: 37
Substitutions made: 100
Substitute goals: 10
Substitute assists: 14
Total substitute goals + assists: 24
Roberto Martinez has silenced the doubters who did not believe he would be a success at Everton following the relegation of his Wigan Athletic side, and almost lived up to his pre-season talk of helping the Toffees qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Martinez has adapted David Moyes’ Everton to become a more proactive side, and his subsitutions have often helped the Goodison Park outfit either regain a foothold in a match, or keep ahead.
Steven Naismith has scored three times from the bench, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas have each netted twice, and Leon Osman has managed a goal and two assists as a substitute.
2. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Premier League games managed this season: 37
Substitutions made: 110
Substitute goals: 10
Substitute assists: 17
Total substitute goals + assists: 27
Jose Mourinho has long been known as a firm and reactionary coach, regularly substituting players before half time if he feels current tactics are not working.
In April, he led Chelsea to a hugely impressive UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain, having lost the first 3-1.
With Chelsea leading 1-0 and needing a second to progress beyond PSG on away goals, Mourinho brought on Demba Ba and Fernando Torres for midfielders, and the former promptly scored the goal that saw the Blues progress.
In the Premier League, Willian and Oscar have proved particularly capable impact players, scoring five and providing three assists in their 16 combined substitute appearances.
1. Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City)
Premier League games managed this season: 36
Substitutions made: 103
Substitute goals: 9
Substitute assists: 19
Total substitute goals + assists: 28
Manchester City’s squad depth is unrivalled in the Premier League, and Manuel Pellegrini has performed impressively to keep all his players fresh for the season run-in.
It could well be the weight of numbers at Pellegrini’s disposal that has seen Man City overtake Liverpool at the top of the table in the few weeks, for the Reds’ squad is so thin that Brendan Rodgers makes the fewest substitutions of all current Premier League managers.
Still, regardless of the options at his disposal, Pellegrini has been impressive in his ability to turn games. Fernandinho was brought on to replace an injured Sergio Aguero against Everton, and the formation switch gave Man City greater control of what was a crucial game at Goodison Park.
In terms of direct impact, James Milner has been the most influential, with one goal and five assists from the bench.
Stevan Jovetic (two goals, two assists), Alvaro Negredo (two goals), Jesus Navas (one goal, two assists) and Sergio Aguero (one goal, one assist) have also made a difference.