Historically, soccer managers are arguably the most maligned individuals who work round the clock in search of success and honor for the club they signed for.
In that context, the managerial position of Manchester United as a club is one of the most difficult and highly demanding roles in world football, with expectations of success weighing heavily on the shoulders of the manager at the helm.
Over the years, many have tried and failed to live up to the standards set by the club’s legendary managers but failed woefully to attain that height.
That being said, the question now is who’s Manchester United managers is worthy of being ranked among the best to manage the Old Trafford outfit?
Here on CheapGoals, we’ll take you through managers who deserve to be on this list considering their impact, influence, and honor won for the team.
- Who Are The Best Manchester United Managers Of All Time
- 1. Sir Alex Ferguson – (1986 – 2013)
- 2. Sir Matt Busby – (1945-1969 & 1970-1971)
- 3. Ernest Mangnall – (1903 – 1912)
- 4. Jose Mourinho – (2016 – 2018)
- 5. Ron Atkinson – (1980 – 1985)
- 6. Tommy Docherty – (1972 – 1977)
- 7. Louis van Gaal – (2014 – 2016)
- 8. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – (2018 – 2020)
- 9. David Moyes – (2013 – 2014)
- 10. Scott Duncan – (1932 – 1936)
Who Are The Best Manchester United Managers Of All Time
Since Sir Alex Ferguson left, managers have come and gone. And none so far have matched his top performance. But still, the United have more trophies than any other English club, making them one of the most successful clubs in the premier league.
The challenge of keeping up with Ferguson’s excellence proved tough for the new managers.
Yet, the club’s rich history and continued success in winning trophies show its strength and commitment. The time after Ferguson isn’t just about finding a new manager; it’s about carrying on his legacy and maintaining the club’s top spot in English football.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – (1986 – 2013)
Sir Alex Ferguson, a Scottish tactician, showcased his management prowess with the Red Devils with over 1,500 games and a winning ratio of 59.7 percent throughout his 26-stint at Old Trafford.
During his time at Old Trafford, he racked up a total of 38 trophies including Champions League, Premier League, FA Cups, and many other trophies.
Picking Ferguson as the top Manchester United manager might seem obvious, but in this case, there’s just no denying that he’s not only the best in the club’s history but possibly the best overall.
Apart from being one of the long-serving managers in the history of the Premier League and at Manchester United, he also ranks as one of the best tacticians ever to walk the touch-line in world football.
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2. Sir Matt Busby – (1945-1969 & 1970-1971)
Before Sir Alex Ferguson, there was Sir Matt Busby who reigned at United from 1945 to 1969, and from 1970 to 1971 as the first English manager to win a European trophy.
Busby was renowned for creating the famous “Busby Babes” team that dominated English football and also competed with the big teams in winning the European Cup.
His United team made of young talents tragically lost their lives in the Munich air disaster that claimed eight players’ lives, Busby, however, created a more ruthless and competitive team despite the unfortunate disaster that befell his team in Munich.
As a manager for United, he oversaw 21 games, registered a total of 52.4 percent winning ratio, and won 13 trophies throughout his stint with the club.
3. Ernest Mangnall – (1903 – 1912)
Mangnall was a pivotal figure who lit up Old Trafford with his management expertise in the early 1900s, leading United from 1903 to 1912.
The Bolton-born tactician was hired as the third secretary of the club in an era where the word manager wasn’t as pronounced as this present era.
He took over United after the club changed its name from Newton Heath to Manchester United, and went on to manage 350 games winning 151 games equivalent to a 43.14 percent ratio.
Mangnall’s success story in terms of honors won may not be as renowned as that of Fergie and Sir Busby, however, he’s also referred to as one of the club’s finest managers.
Many think Mangnall was a key force behind the club’s move to Old Trafford in 1910. Despite the successful period, he later left to join local rivals Manchester City, steering the Sky Blues to a runners-up spot in the First Division.
4. Jose Mourinho – (2016 – 2018)
The “Special One” Jose Mourinho, is a Portuguese tactician who is quite renowned for his knowledge of the game and most importantly his controversial side of the job.
Mourinho’s appointment as United manager brought excitement to the Old Trafford fans, and quickly made his presence felt after hitting the ground running in charge of the team having penned a three-year contract with the Red Devils.
Like many before him, the weight of expectation might have been too much, even for someone like him.
Throughout his reign as Manchester United manager, he couldn’t rescue the league title away from City rival Manchester City and Liverpool, two of the teams who won the Premier League while Mourinho was at the helm.
However, he did win the Europa League and League Cup with a 58.33-percent winning ratio as United’s manager before he left.
5. Ron Atkinson – (1980 – 1985)
At a time of crisis when the Red Devils needed a fresh start, it was Ron Atkinson the club’s hierarchy summoned to rescue the season for them.
Atkinson took charge when United finished eighth in the league but did turn things around for them with key signings that got them finished third in the league.
Under his tutelage in the 1983-84 season, United won the FA Cup against Brighton and a semifinal finish in the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Atkinson seemed close to bringing the title to Manchester in his first try, but a late push from Liverpool denied them. Despite not clinching the coveted League title, Atkinson did secure three trophies for Old Trafford.
He left Old Trafford in 1985 having managed 292 games with 146 victories, 67 draws, 79 losses, and a 50.0 percent winning ratio as a manager for the Red Devils.
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6. Tommy Docherty – (1972 – 1977)
The new generation United fans may not be familiar with Tommy Docherty, but the elders who saw him walk the touch-line in the 70s will definitely know who he was.
Bringing in a guy with a ton of knowledge seemed obvious. But it wasn’t all easy for Docherty. In 1974, after a bunch of rough seasons, the club got relegated to the Second Division again.
Docherty had the job of getting Manchester United back where it belonged.
Interestingly, Docherty’s managerial career at United started unexpectedly when he was appointed as the club manager by Matt Busby having watched the team from the stand when they lost 5-0 to Crystal Palace.
He took over an aging squad that many thought couldn’t compete again, but he led the team to success in 1977 securing a historic FA Cup against Liverpool.
Docherty left United in 1977 following an extra-marital affair between him and one of the club’s physiotherapist wife which became a public issue.
7. Louis van Gaal – (2014 – 2016)
Before heading to Manchester, Van Gaal had an impressive managerial career at places like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and the Dutch national team, among others.
Louis van Gaal’s reign at Old Trafford lasted for just two years from 2014 to 2016, overseeing 103 games, winning 54, drawing 24, losing 24, and maintaining a win percentage of 52.43.
Following his appointment as United’s first manager from outside the British clan he described the club as a broken team, but he did his best to turn around the fortunate of the club with a mixture of youthfulness and experienced players.
His appointment was seen as a smart move that promised success. As a result, he gave many young players, including talents like Marcus Rashford, the chance to shine.
Without mincing a word, van Gaal’s time at Old Trafford did leave the fans with a lot of heartbreaks but it also left them with moments of joy and transformation before he left
8. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – (2018 – 2020)
Despite being one of the most maligned Manchester United managers in the history of the club, Ole will also be remembered as one of the few who had a rollercoaster ride during his reign.
Solskjaer became Manchester United’s caretaker coach in 2018, following the departure of Jose Mourinho for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign.
To the amazement of neutrals and the big figures at the club, he hit the ground running with his management expertise winning his first five league games.
His best performance as a Manchester United manager came in 2020 when he went unbeaten throughout February and finished third in the league with 66 points having managed 168 games with a winning percentage of 54.17.
9. David Moyes – (2013 – 2014)
Moye’s appointment as Manchester United’s manager in 2013 came with a lot of optimism simply because he was anointed by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Prior to his arrival as Red Devils coach, he was consistently doing well for Everton, but unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate what he did at Merseyside with the Red Devils despite being handpicked by Fergie.
Moyes only oversaw 51 games as the coach recording 27 wins, 9 draws, 15 losses, and a 52.94 winning percent ratio before leaving the club in 2014.
During his short stint at Manchester United, Moyes faced a lot of criticism from fans and the media, despite winning the Community Shield in one of his early games as manager.
He got sacked in less than a year and is now doing well at West Ham United.
10. Scott Duncan – (1932 – 1936)
Like Mangnall, Scott Duncan is another United manager who got appointed as a secretary but went on to manage the team.
Following his appointment Duncan made some important investments in acquiring new players that went on to achieve success in the Championship.
The only trophy he won with United was the second division championship trophy in the 1935-36 season, despite that the fans did love him for his influence and impact on the club.
Duncan like other managers had his challenges and the sweet moments as a coach having managed 223 games and recorded a winning ratio of 39.5 percent.
His major achievement as a manager was steering the club back to the old First Division in the 1935-36 season.
Despite this success, United faced relegation again the following year, prompting Duncan to leave for Ipswich Town, where he spent 18 years.
FAQs
Who is the best Manchester United manager ever?
Sir Alex Fergusson
Who was the longest-serving manager of Manchester United?
Alex Ferguson
The longest-serving manager of Manchester United was Sir Alex Ferguson, who held the position for 26 years from November 1986 to May 2013.
During his tenure, Ferguson led the team to unprecedented success, securing numerous domestic and international titles, and establishing himself as one of the greatest football managers in history.
Who was the best United manager after Ferguson?
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho is probably United’s most successful manager since Ferguson – winning 58 per cent of his games, with a runner-up finish in the Premier League and adding a League Cup and Europa League double in 2016-17
Who is the longest-reigning Premier League manager?
Arsene Wenger
The longest-reigning Premier League manager is Arsene Wenger, who managed Arsenal for 7,894 days from 1996 to 2018.
He is followed by Sir Alex Ferguson, who led Manchester United for 7,640 days from 1992 to 2013.
Other notable tenures include David Moyes at Everton for 4,096 days (2002-2013), Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool (ongoing since 2015), and Joe Kinnear at Wimbledon for 2,698 days (1992-1999).
Which manager has won the most trophies?
Sir Alex Fergusson – 49 trophies won.
The greatest manager ever. Ferguson’s best spell came at Man United, where he led them to 38 trophies across a 27-year spell.
Who is the best Premier League manager?
Sir Alex Fergusson
Sir Alex is the best Premier League manager ever.
He spent a massive 27 years at Manchester United, bagging a record 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and four League Cups in domestic competitions.
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