The finest managers in the English top tier for the upcoming campaign.
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With the 2014/15 Premier League season now just over a week away CaughtOffside takes a look at the 10 best managers in the English top tier for the upcoming campaign.
10. Steve Bruce, Hull City
He may not be the most glamourous of bosses, but no one has earned more promotions from the Championship than the former Manchester United defender.
Last term Bruce proved what could be done with a small budget, with the 53-year-old getting the best out of the likes of Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone and also guiding the Tigers to their first ever FA Cup final and therefore European football.
9. Tony Pulis, Crystal Palace
When the Welshman took the reigns at Selhurst Park in November 2013 nobody with any sense gave the Eagles any chance of avoiding relegation.
Yet a run that was difficult to believe not only saw Palace get out of the bottom three, but finish 11th and Pulis showed everyone he wasn’t just a one-trick pony.
8. Ronald Koeman, Southampton
A new addition to the league as the Saints undergo something of an overhaul and transition phase, with this Dutchman tasked with taking them through it smoothly.
This is no easy job with the Hampshire club having lost five key stars in the transfer market, but having won major trophies with Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Valencia, Koeman is more than capable.
7. Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur
After a fine 16 months at St Mary’s following a move from Espanyol in 2013 the Argentine was snapped up by Spurs as a replacement for Tim Sherwood.
The North Londoners have a reputation for sacking managers swiftly so Pochettino will have to call upon all of his tactical nous to avoid the chop.
6. Roberto Martinez, Everton
Having won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2012/13 – in a season where they were also relegated – the Toffees moved to make Martinez their successor to David Moyes.
The Merseysiders appear to go about things the right way and despite much fewer resources the Spaniard guided his team to fifth place last term ahead of both Tottenham and United.
5. Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool
Another young and talented coach now and someone who was named as Manager of the Year last campaign after guiding the Reds to second place and the cusp of their first title since 1990.
Whilst Rodgers’ strengths do not seem to lie in the transfer market – Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge aside – his coaching is superb, as shown by the improved form of the the likes of Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling.
4, Manuel Pellergini, Manchester City
The Chilean gets something of a raw deal as because he is in charge of the one of the richest clubs in the world success is expected and therefore praise is limited.
However, Pellegrini has brought a calmness to the Etihad Stadium that was distinctly lacking under predecessor Roberto Mancini and managed to win the league title and League Cup in his first year in charge.
3. Arsene Wenger, Arsenal
Often maligned and criticised by his own fans, what the Frenchman has achieved at the club since taking charge in 1996 is quite extraordinary.
Until the £42.4m and £35m purchases of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez the Gunners never spent big and now with the freedom to do so Wenger could well prove again what a fine manager he is.
2. Louis van Gaal, Manchester United
Another new addition and another Dutchman who has arrived in English football looking to impress, although there is far more pressure on van Gaal than there is on Koeman.
Following the Red Devils’ hugely disappointing 10 months under Moyes the 62-year-old is tasked with bringing the club back to former glories, which although very difficult, if anyone can do it LVG can.
1. Jose Mourinho, Chelsea
Top of the pile though is the only other boss on this list able to match van Gaal for career achievements and the Portuguese coach is 11 years’ the United manager’s junior.
Mourinho may be a controversial figure at times, but his CV speaks for itself and with a Blues squad that looks stronger than ever at his disposal this could well be the time for his third English title.
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