Without the influence of the managers and their methods, football as a sport would not exist. Their strategy has helped the sport continue to develop over the years. These individuals, whether they were a great coach like Sir Alex Ferguson or a more contemporary figure like Pep Guardiola, changed the way the game is played.
With good reason, these managers have also enjoyed great success with their own teams, and some of them have even gone on to win the most trophies in their field.
Considering managers across all competitions gives us a broader perspective on their achievements. Now, let's take a look at the top 10 managers who have won the most number of trophies.
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Which Football Manager Has The Most Trophies Won?
The football manager with the most trophies won is Sir Alex Ferguson with a total of 50 trophies. During his remarkable career at Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, he won a staggering 49 major trophies. This includes 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League titles, among many others.
Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure at Manchester United is widely regarded as one of the most successful managerial reigns in football history. His ability to build winning teams, adapt to changes in the game, and sustain success over a long period is truly remarkable.
It's worth mentioning that the number of trophies won by managers can vary depending on various factors such as the duration of their career, the clubs they managed, the strength of their competition, and the specific trophies considered. That being said, Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy haul stands as the highest in football management to date.
The Most Successful Managers In Football History By Trophies Won
Taking a look at all the legendary managers of the game while we turn the focus towards those who have won the most trophies in their careers. Here are the top ten managers with most trophies:
1. Sir Alex Ferguson:
Regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson won a staggering 38 major trophies during his tenure at Manchester United. This includes 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League titles. His ability to rebuild teams and maintain success over a long period is truly remarkable.
The 79-year-old also led Aberdeen to ten titles in five years in the Scottish division, prior to etching a legacy with the Red Devils. His record of 48 titles may never be broken again unless Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho go on to have long illustrious careers.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Best Football Coaches In The World
2. Mircea Lucescu:
The second spot goes to Mircea Lucescu, who won 38 titles in his long illustrious career. The Romanian is currently managing Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine. He has won a UEFA Super Cup in 2000 with Galatasaray by beating Real Madrid. He has also managed clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk, Besiktas, Zenit St.Petersburg and more.
3. Jock Stein:
Stein, who managed Celtic from 1965 to 1978, won 38 major trophies, including 10 Scottish league titles and 1 European Cup (now UEFA Champions League). Stein's success with Celtic during that era was truly exceptional and brought him widespread acclaim.
4. Valeriy Lobanovskyi:
Valeriy Lobanovskyi, a native of Ukraine, amassed 36 trophies as a manager. He is credited with creating both the "False 9" position and the "Total Football" playing style. The strategist has two UEFA Cup Winners Cups and a UEFA Super Cup in his prize collection. He only led Dynamo Kyiv, which won the Ukrainian Premier League 13 times.
5. Pep Guardiola:
Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City, has already amassed an impressive number of trophies. He has won 35 major trophies, including 8 league titles (with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City), 2 UEFA Champions League titles, and multiple domestic cups. Guardiola's emphasis on possession-based football and attention to detail have brought him great success.
6. Carlo Ancelotti:
Ancelotti has had stints at top clubs like AC Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, winning 26 major trophies. This includes league titles, domestic cups, and UEFA Champions League titles. Ancelotti is known for his calm and composed management style and his ability to build strong relationships with players.
6. Jose Mourinho:
Known for his charismatic personality and tactical prowess, Mourinho has won 26 major trophies throughout his career. This includes league titles with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, as well as 2 UEFA Champions League titles. Mourinho's ability to motivate his players and adapt his tactics to different situations has made him a highly successful manager.
7. Ottmar Hitzfeld:
Ottmar Hitzfeld started his managerial career in Switzerland, but his most prominent success came in the German Bundesliga. The German managed teams like Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga seven times and UEFA Champions League twice for both clubs. Overall, the tactician ended up with 25 trophies in his career.
8. Luiz Felipe Scolari:
One of the best football managers in the world, Luiz Felipe Scolari is currently in charge of Cruzeiro Football Club. His most notable roles were with organizations like Gremio, Palmeira, and the Brazilian national football team. 26 titles, including a FIFA World Cup with Brazil, have been won by the 70-year-old.
9. Giovanni Trapattoni:
One of the few to have coached all three Italian giants. Trapattoni, an Italian football manager, is known for his success with Juventus and Bayern Munich. He won 23 major trophies, including 7 Serie A titles, 3 UEFA Cups, and 1 UEFA Champions League title. Trapattoni's tactical acumen and disciplined approach made him a highly respected manager.
10. Arsene Wenger:
Arsenal’s legendary manager, Arsene Wenger has won 21 trophies in his career yet. In addition to managing the Gunners, he has also been at the helm of clubs like AS Monaco and Nagoya Grampus. His major contribution to football, however, came while at Arsenal, where he spent over 22 years, winning 17 trophies.
Final Thoughts: Top 10 Managers Who Have Won The Most Number of Trophies
Please note that these rankings are subjective, and there are other successful managers who narrowly missed the list of Top 10 Managers Who Have Won The Most Number of Trophies. Each manager's accomplishments and style of play make them unique and worthy of recognition.
Do you have any other questions or would you like to know more about a specific manager on this list? Feel free to ask!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which manager has the most trophies in history?
Alex Ferguson tops list with 48 titles, Guardiola's City on edge on verge of making another history, 2 matches away historic treble.
Who has the most trophies won by a Premier League manager?
The most successful manager in the Premier League is Alex Ferguson, who won 13 titles – more than twice as many as any other manager – with Manchester United between 1993
Who is the best coach in history?
Sir Alex Ferguson is the sovereign leader of the IFFHS All Time World's Best Coach Ranking after 27 years (1996-2022).