EPL Managers: Ranking the Top 5 This Season

It was without a doubt the most exciting finish to an EPL season since its launch in 1992.

I've had three weeks to digest the crazy finale and assess the performances of every manager throughout the campaign.

There have been some fantastic achievements from many, not just at the top of the league but also at the bottom.

Taking both domestic cup competitions as well as all European tournaments into consideration, I've compiled a list of the very best this season.

Here is my top five...

No. 5) Paul Lambert, Norwich City

Since moving from Colchester United in 2009, Paul Lambert has been a fantastic appointment for Norwich City guiding the club through successive promotions and into the Premier League.

But many experts and bookmakers alike saw this year as a step too far for the Canaries after a distinct lack of transfer activity going into the season.

How wrong they were; City not only avoided relegation, they finished mid-table and were unlucky not to make a Top 10 spot.

Wins over Spurs and Newcastle were the highlights as the likes of Grant Holt and John Ruddy continued to produce stunning performances at the highest level.

With more television money on its way thanks to a second Premier League season, Lambert will be keen to add to his squad before preseason begins.

The Daily Mail reports that Lambert is a target for Aston Villa, but Norwich will be wise to hold onto arguably their most valuable asset. 

No. 4) Brendan Rodgers, Swansea City

Like Norwich, Swansea were expected to return to the Championship with a whimper.

The likes of Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer who fared so well in the second tier should have found the rigours of the EPL a bit too much—they didn't.

Add to that the excellent addition of Danny Graham and the sensation that was Michel Vorm and you had a Welsh team that upset many of England's finest.

Rogers did not abandon the direct-passing style of play that served him so well in their promotion; they were a pleasure to watch.

And with Gylfi Sigurdsson now a permanent signing, Rodgers will be looking to build on the No. 11 finish last season.

Manager of the month in January, the 39-year-old masterminded wins against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Don't be surprised if they are challenging for the European positions next April. 

No. 3) Roberto Mancini, Manchester City

It was a strange season for Roberto Mancini, but ultimately, he secured the biggest prize of all—winning the EPL title.

It was an exhausting season for the Italian who had to deal with countless problems on and off the pitch whilst keeping his multimillion-pound squad successful both domestically and in Europe.

Ironically, if City had not scored two goals in injury time to steal the title from United, Mancini's future would almost certainly be in the balance.

But the title and the double over United (including a 6-1 demolition at Old Trafford) made it a highly memorable season for the 47-year-old.

He will always be remembered for delivering City's first title in 44 years, and that is a fabulous achievement. 

No. 2) Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic

Roberto Martinez's statue should be erected outside DW Stadium. Such is the impact he has had at Wigan Atheltic.

Finishing 15th may be seen as a failure by many, but with the squad Martinez has had to continually work with, anything above 18th is a stunning achievement.

By rights, Wigan should have been relegated a long long time ago. They are perennial strugglers, and many "experts" continually have them relegated by Christmas, but somehow the Spaniard masterminds a late season rally that gets them over the line against all odds.

This season was no different winning five of their last six including stunning victories over Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle.

It's no surprise that Liverpool have approached Martinez about the possibility of becoming their next manager. In fact, the only surprise is that he has not gone to a bigger club sooner.

Another magnificent job by one of the most talented young managers in World Football. 

No. 1) Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea

It seems if your name is Roberto then you're guaranteed to be a top EPL manager this season!

Not even di Matteo himself could have envisaged what happened to himself and Chelsea over the last few months.

After the surprise sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, the Italian was given the caretaker role until the end of the season when a new manager could be targeted.

Not only did he dramatically improve their Premier League form, he also led the Blues to an impressive FA Cup final win over a resurgent Liverpool.

But his most stunning achievement was of course beating Barcelona and then Bayern Munich against all the odds to secure the club's first Champions League title.

The 42-year-old is now favourite to be named permanent manager at Stamford Bridge, and Roman Abramovic would be foolish not to reward di Matteo with a well deserved contract.