Three of the Best Ever British Managers

The word ‘Legend’ is often over used.

That sentence alone has become something of a cliché in itself but the word legend still exists and is banded around as if being a club legend was a simple task to achieve.

However, some people deserve a status much higher than this word can justify as some have gone above and beyond turning a football club from a good one, into a great one.

We take a look at some of the greatest ever British managers to grace the beautiful game.

Bill Nicholson – Tottenham Hotspur

Current Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino is credited with turning Spurs into contenders but as of yet, the Argentine has failed to bring any silverware to the club.

Something Bill Nicholson achieved plenty of as a player and then a manager of Tottenham despite hailing from Yorkshire.

After joining the club in 1938 as a player, Nicholson’s early career was plighted by the war but then took off in late 1940’s and early 50’s where he won the Second Division, First Division and the Charity Shield in 1951.

He was England assistant manager at the 1958 World Cup and later that year took over from Jimmy Anderson as manager of Tottenham.

The golden period of Spurs would follow as four FA Cups, one League title, two League Cups, three Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup and one European Cup Winners Cup would follow up until his resignation in 1974.

Sir Alex Ferguson – Manchester United/Aberdeen

No list could even consider being compiled without arguably the ultimate club manager in Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson’s successful career was not just restricted to Manchester United. During an eight-year spell at Aberdeen the Scotsman dominated the Scottish top flight winning three titles and the European Cup Winners Cup.

In 1986, Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager and trophy after trophy was set to follow even thought the club did not know it at the time.

The FA Cup was the first trophy that flowed for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1990 and the rest is history.

Thirteen Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions Leagues were the main prizes in a glittering managerial career.

Don Revie – Leeds United

There must be something in the air up north as Don Revie is another Yorkshireman on our list.

Revie was perhaps not the most prolific of trophy winners, but he took an unfashionable Leeds United and turned them into winners.

Revie’s tough Leeds United were feared by some but were often overly harshly critiqued when actually playing some sumptuous football.

In 1969 and 1974 Revie guided Leeds to the first division title and in 1968 the League Cup and 1972 the FA Cup.

Success followed in Europe in 1968 and 1971 in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup (UEFA CUP) and after leaving Leeds took over as manager of England from 1974 to 1977 before a controversial resignation tainted Revie’s reputation right up until his death in 1989.

Bill Nicholson—Tottenham Hotspur

Current Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino is credited with turning Spurs into contenders but as of yet, the Argentine has failed to bring any silverware to the club.

Something Bill Nicholson achieved plenty of as a player and then a manager of Tottenham despite hailing from Yorkshire.

After joining the club in 1938 as a player, Nicholson’s early career was plighted by the war but then took off in late 1940’s and early 50’s where he won the Second Division, First Division and the Charity Shield in 1951.

He was England assistant manager at the 1958 World Cup and later that year took over from Jimmy Anderson as manager of Tottenham.

The golden period of Spurs would follow as four FA Cups, one League title, two League Cups, three Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup and one European Cup Winners Cup would follow up until his resignation in 1974.

Sir Alex Ferguson—Manchester United/Aberdeen

No list could even consider being compiled without arguably the ultimate club manager in Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson’s successful career was not just restricted to Manchester United. During an eight-year spell at Aberdeen the Scotsman dominated the Scottish top flight winning three titles and the European Cup Winners Cup.

In 1986, Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager and trophy after trophy was set to follow even thought the club did not know it at the time.

The FA Cup was the first trophy that flowed for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1990 and the rest is history.

Thirteen Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions Leagues were the main prizes in a glittering managerial career.

Don Revie—Leeds United

There must be something in the air up north as Don Revie is another Yorkshireman on our list.

Revie was perhaps not the most prolific of trophy winners, but he took an unfashionable Leeds United and turned them into winners.

Revie’s tough Leeds United were feared by some but were often overly harshly critiqued when actually playing some sumptuous football.

In 1969 and 1974 Revie guided Leeds to the first division title and in 1968 the League Cup and 1972 the FA Cup.

Success followed in Europe in 1968 and 1971 in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup (UEFA CUP) and after leaving Leeds took over as manager of England from 1974 to 1977 before a controversial resignation tainted Revie’s reputation right up until his death in 1989.