The best performances by a Premier League manager during their first season in charge…
When Manchester United appointed Louis van Gaal this summer they hoped that the Dutchman would make an immediate impact, and help address the slide that they experienced under David Moyes.
SEE ALSO:
Best teenagers in world football
Top 100 Sexiest Football WAGs In The World 2014.
Greatest football team of all time! Check out the best XI of the 21st Century
According to reports in the Daily Mirror however, United expect a little more that that from the Dutchman. After allowing him to spend in excess of £150m on new players this summer, club bosses are demanding that Van Gaal delivers the Premier League title during his first season in charge.
It is worth noting that no Manchester United manager has ever won a trophy in his first two seasons at the helm, including the great Sir Alex Ferguson. Is such a feat even possible?
Here are ten recent Premier League managers that enjoyed positive starts to their respective reigns – at least proving something for LVG to live up to:
10) Roberto Martinez (Everton: No Trophies)
The former Wigan man was not able to deliver the piece of silverware Everton fans have been craving for so many years, but he was able to quickly address any fears the club might have had about life after to David Moyes. Martinez has his team playing attractive style of football, and led them to a highly respectable fifth place finish during his first year.
9) Gus Poyet (Sunderland: No Trophies)
The Uruguayan once said that it would require a miracle to keep Sunderland in the Premier League. Not only did he lead the Black Cats to safety, but he also helped them reach the Capital One Cup final. While they were beaten in that final by Manchester City, their performance in the competition was the catalyst for their survival.
8) Guus Hiddink (Chelsea: FA Cup)
Spirits were low at Stamford Bridge after the unprecedented failure of Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Hiddink ensured that those feelings were short lived. During his brief tenure he won the FA Cup, finished a solid third in the Premier League, and came within mere moments of the Champions League final, only to be denied by Barcelona.
7) Michael Laudrup (Swansea City: League Cup)
Some Swansea fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Brendan Rodgers, the man who led them to the Premier League, departed for Liverpool. But the Dane continued the club’s trend of free-flowing football and helped them to a surprise victory in the Capital One Cup final.
6) Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea: Champions League & FA Cup)
The only reason that the Italian does not rank higher in this list is that his first season in charge only lasted a couple of months. Having taken over from Andre Villas-Boas in March of 2012, the former West Brom boss proceeded to win both the FA Cup and the Champions League – only to be sacked in November. How grateful…
5) Tony Pulis (Crystal Palace: No Trophies)
The former Stoke City boss did the seemingly impossible by leading Crystal Palace to safety last season. His influence was clear to see as he quickly molded his team in his image, solidifying them and making them difficult to beat. It came as a real shame when his spell as manager was cut short over differences with the club earlier this year.
4) Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea: Premier League, FA Cup & Community Shield)
The Italian has been a success in almost every job he’s ever had, and he couldn’t have done much more during his first season in charge at Chelsea: winning three trophies. Ultimately, his failure to progress beyond the quarter-final stage of the Champions League in either of his two years in charge ultimately cost him his job.
3) Rafael Benitez (Liverpool: Champions League)
A fifth place finish in the Premier League aside, the Spaniard had the dream start to his reign as Liverpool manager, pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League final history, as his little-fancied side won Europe’s premiere competition for the fifth time in the club’s history.
2) Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City: Premier League & League Cup)
The Chilean got off to the perfect start as Manchester City boss: two domestic trophies including the club’s second Premier League title, as well as progress beyond the Champions League group stage for the first time. He has calmed the tension that always existed at the club under Roberto Mancini, and installed a positive environment.
1) Jose Mourinho (Chelsea: Premier League & League Cup)
The self-proclaimed special one lived up to his billing as he delivered Chelsea their first league title in 50 years at the first attempt. He also won the League Cup, beating Liverpool in the final, but did miss out to the Reds in the Champions League semi-final, thanks to Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’.
SEE ALSO: Angel di Maria in Manchester United’s most expensive ever XI.