Greatest Football Manager Ever Poll

We’ve all been there, down the local pub, pint in hand, debating (sometimes, not quietly) about what era produced the best ever team, or scored the best goal – ever. Now, seeing as we are in a World Cup year, we thought it would be a good idea to start running some football focussed polls and today we are going to kick off with : The Greatest Football Manager Ever Poll.

We have trimmed the list to just 7 potential candidates, that’s right just 7. Believe me, we could have added a helluva lot more, but then we remembered that this poll is about Great Managers, not just the good ones. Have a look through our nominees and give us your vote. Comments are more than welcome and don’t forget to spread the word and tell your mates down the pub.

Alex Ferguson : Manchester United have dominated The Premiership since the early 90′s under Sir Alex’s reign. 11 league titles, 2 European Cups, 5 FA Cups, 3 League Cups. At Aberdeen, Ferguson, broke the stranglehold of the Old Firm winning the Scottish league 3 times, Scottish Cup 4 times and also the UEFA Cup Winners Cup beating Real Madrid in the final.
Most notable signings : Wayne Rooney, Eric Cantona, Ronaldo

Bob Paisley : During his 9 year tenure in charge of Liverpool, Paisley won 6 League Titles, 3 European Cups, 1 UEFA Cup and 3 League Cups. He won the Manager of the Year award an incredible 6 times between 75-82. Paisley remains the only manager to ever win three European Cups.
Most notable signings : Kenny Daglish, Alan Kennedy, Phil Neal

Giovanni Trapattoni : One of the most successful managers ever in Serie A. Has won the league title 7 times (6 with Juventus and 1 with Inter). Has won league titles in 4 different countries (Italy, Germany, Potugual, Austria). Under Juventus he won 1 European Cup, 2 UEFA Cup’s and 1 Cup Winners Cup.
Most notable signings : Michel Platini, Paolo Rossi

Jock Stein : The only manager ever to win the European Cup with 11 homegrown players. Stein managed Celtic from 1965–1978 and in that time won 1 European Cup, 10 League Titles, 8 Scottish Cups and 6 league Cups. He helped Scotland qualify for the 82 and 86 World Cups but died of a heart attack minutes after defeating Wales.
Most notable signings : Bertie Auld, Danny McGrain

Bill Shankly : Will always be remembered as the ‘man who rebuilt Liverpool’. After winning promotion from the then 2nd Division, Shankly won 3 League Titles, 2 FA Cups and the UEFA Cup during his 15 years. He most famously quoted “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death,… I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
Most notable signings : John Toshack, Kevin Keegan, Ray Clemence

Marcello Lippi : As Italian national team manager he won the World Cup in 2006 and had most of his success at club level with Juventus, where he won 1 European Cup and 5 Serie A titles. Lippi was re-appointed manager of the national team in 2008 and helped Italy win their qualifying group to the 2010 World Cup.
Most notable signings : Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, Alessandro Del Piero

Brian Clough : Was a formidable manager of his era winning 2 back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, 3 League Titles (2 with Forest and 1 with Derby County), 1 FA Cup and 4 League Cups. Brian Clough was the first manager to pay £1 million in transfer fees for the signing of Trevor Francis back in 1979.
Most notable signings : Pete Shilton, Trevor Francis, Archie Gemmill

Greatest Manager Ever Poll!