(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
How can any manager who claimed only two losses on the season be ranked so low?
The reasons are simple, no silverware on Mersyside, and a title ready for the taking lost in the second half of the season.
Liverpool supporters might take solace in the fact they trounced Man United at Old Trafford or that they played the more exciting brand of football - however they would have gladly traded both for the Premiership title.
7. Martin O'Neill (Aston Villa)
During the first half of this season the Villa boss would have almost been assured a top four spot on this list. However, a rash of negative results late in the season has sunk O'Neill to seventh.
While it is true that Villa matched their place in the table a year ago, their late form and nearly being overtaken by Fulham on the last day of the season have lowered his stock.
However, despite poor late season form, O'Neill was able to keep his side well in the top half of the table and secure a spot in the Europa League next season.
8. Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
For some it might be an injustice to have one of the most successful managers in English football history ranked this low. However, it hasn't been a good season at Ashburton Grove by Arsenal standards.
With the talent Arsenal has on display it's almost inexcusable for "The Professor" not to have claimed any title for the Gunners over the past five years.
This season might have been the worst of the run for Wenger, finishing fourth in the table and 11 points adrift of third place Chelsea.
There are rumblings that Wenger might be on his way out at Arsenal. If he is staying and the results don't improve, next season might indeed be his last.
9. Gianfranco Zola (West Ham)
The former Italian talisman is becoming a sort of legend in London after his stint at Chelsea and his current tenure across town at West Ham.
While the results aren't what Zola would want (14-9-15 on 51 points), the side did rise a spot in the final table from a year ago.
Zola is determined to bring an Italian style of play to the Boylen Ground and while the improvement has been slow, there are signs that the Hammers might be ready to make a run at a European spot next season.
10. Steve Bruce (Wigan)
Last season, Bruce did just enough to keep Wigan supporters from having to worry too deeply about the drop in the final weeks of the season.
This season, Wigan showed some marked improvement under Bruce by finishing eleventh in the table with a roster that would be ranked in the bottom quarter in terms of talent.
While the results might not be eye popping, a club like Wigan just being comfortably safe during much of the second half of the season is an accomplishment enough.
11. Harry Redknapp (Tottenham Hotspur)
In his football book Fever Pitch, author Nick Hornby writes about supporting Arsenal sides of the 70's and early 80's that were never good enough to compete for a title and never bad enough to be relegated.
That is where Spurs supporters find themselves under Harry Redknapp.
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