While footballers will generally hog the limelight, there are plenty of managers that have transcended the game in a way that few others have been able to do so.

Whether it is their huge personalities or their unique philosophies, they have garnered respect from the football community, and that includes rival supporters.

It’s now time to reminisce and reflect on the top 10 football managers of all time. At this point, we would like to remind you that this carefully curated list is in no particular order.

Ottmar Hitzfeld

In a distinguished managerial career that spanned four decades, he won everything possible at two of Germany’s biggest clubs – Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Legendary status is forged through professionalism and loyalty, and Hitzfeld had this in bucketloads. His record in the Bundesliga speaks for itself as he lifted the League title on seven occasions, but perhaps he is better known for his exploits in the Champions League, where he won Europe’s biggest competition twice.

Hitzfeld was a true managerial genius and he certainly merits his inclusion on this celebrated list.

Jose Mourinho

While his Champions League triumph in charge of Porto was undoubtedly one of the biggest underdog stories of all time, there was always something special about Jose Mourinho.

From the time he proclaimed himself as the “Special One”, Mourinho has been tearing up the coaching manual and he has achieved success wherever he has managed – he even suggested finished runner-up in the Premier League with Manchester United was his biggest non-accolade.

Mourinho continues to enjoy success and he is currently in charge of Roma. Last season, he got his hands on the Europa League Conference, becoming the only manager in the process to have won all the European titles on offer.

The Portuguese tactician has sometimes riled opposition fans, particularly during his days as Real Madrid boss, but he always provides value, especially from a betting perspective. Indeed, many of the most popular betting apps around the world, including those in Australia, which will usually be well stocked with markets involving Mourinho.

Usually, they will entail which club Mourinho might join next. However, at the likes of bet365, you will be able to pinpoint futures odds for Roma. Here, for example, you will see that Roma are trading at 7/1 to lift the Serie A title this term and it would be cherished by Mourinho who previously enjoyed success in Italy while presiding over Inter Milan.

Brian Clough

Although he was at times a divisive figure during his career, he was always on hand to provide a quip or two and some of his sayings were legendary.

One of the most successful managers in English football, Clough transformed the fortunes of Nottingham Forest securing back-to-back European titles putting him on an exalted level.

Pep Guardiola

Sometimes, Pep Guardiola has been criticised for having it easy. Yes, we admit that he was very fortunate when he was in charge of Barcelona he inherited a side that contained Lionel Messi, Xavi and Sergio Busquets.

But he made Barcelona an unstoppable force and he is perhaps best known for his tiki-taka philosophy where his side’s dizzying style of football helped them pass teams off the park.

Although the Champions League has eluded Guardiola in recent times, he has been formidable at Manchester City and he steered them to their fourth title in five seasons back in May – truly remarkable!

Marcello Lippi

Marcello Lippi and Juventus had an inextricable history and there was where he left his legacy. Usually, pictured puffing on a cigar after a victory, Lippi enjoyed two successful stints in charge of the Old Lady and he worked with some of the finest players in the game at the time, including Alessandro Del Piero.

But Lippi also made his mark on the international scene, as he guided Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 – very few managers have been successful at both club and international level.

Sir Alex Ferguson

If this list was more ordered in terms of ranking, then Sir Alex Ferguson would be much higher up! However, the Scot’s managerial talent can’t be understated.

After an initial spell in charge of Aberdeen, Ferguson headed down the border and wound up at Manchester United, where the rest, as they say, is history.

Ferguson managed to knock Manchester City “off their perch” and he left an indelible memory in 1999 when he helped United record an unprecedented treble – Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. And when he retired in 2013, there was a barely dry eye at Old Trafford. United haven’t won the league title since Ferguson departed.

Jurgen Klopp

Before he took over, Liverpool were arguably a sleeping giant. But Jurgen Klopp’s credentials can’t be overlooked and he has taken the Reds to new heights.

They have been unrelenting over the past four seasons and they have gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City. Last term, they collected two domestic trophies – the FA Cup and League Cup – and they fell just short in the Champions League Final and Premier League title race.

Klopp coined the term “mentality monsters” to describe his players during the 2022/23 campaign, but it could easily be used to describe the German coach who has an insatiable appetite for success. Klopp has a huge personality and who doesn’t like his booming laugh?

Bill Shankly

One of the most iconic figures of Liverpool, Bill Shankly’s spirit has been woven into the fabric of the club. The Scot took charge of a side that was floundering in the 1950s.

However, the charismatic Shankly wasn’t just a success in the dugout where he won multiple league titles. No, Shankly’s impact can also be measured off it where he found the mythical Boot Room as well as the club’s previous training ground – Melwood.

Vicente del Bosque

Perhaps one of the finest managers of the modern era, Vicente del Bosque enjoyed extraordinary success at domestic level where he made Real Madrid a tour de force during the 1990s and early 2000s where he won two La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

However, he made Spain Invincible as they won the European Championships in 2008 before savouring World Cup joy in 2010 in South Africa. Del Bosque’s exploits were incredible and he more than left his mark on the game.

Carlo Ancelotti

Another legend of the game, Carlo Ancelotti is still involved and he is still making waves at Real Madrid. Recently, Ancelotti took charge of his 183^rd game of the Madridista making him the fifth-longest serving manager of the club.

Ancelotti is tactically very astute and while he has won practically everything there is to in the game, he is perhaps best known for his Champions League success where he has clinched Europe’s premier competition on two occasions.

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