Ranking the 10 Best European Managers of All Time (Based on Trophies)

The best managers of all time. What a list. Some of the most talented football theorists and motivators alike. Those managers could develop systems that revolutionized football and got the best out of players who before were considered average.

Trophy haul is most certainly an accurate method to measure success. The only possible argument against the measure of success by trophies, is when managers inherit a good squad. Take the example of Avram Grant at Chelsea. He reached two finals ( the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League) with the squad that Jose Mourinho left. He made no significant additions to the squad. He is not considered as good a manager as may who have done the same.

Also, the value of certain trophies is less when there is not much competition. Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish League is a two-horse race. This allows for managers of either club to rack up titles rapidly without needing to be a quality manager. Same goes for Barcelona and Real Madrid (Domestic Trophies)

Not Selecting Managers who manage  a club in a nation which is not in the Top 11 Leagues in the UEFA Coefficient (2007-08)

England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal, France, Greece and Russia. 

1: Sir Alex Ferguson (47 Trophies)

The Scot managed to break the old firm monopoly in Scotland. He managed also to bring European trophies to a small Scottish provincial club ( Aberdeen). He went to Manchester United in 1986.

After a few tumultuous years, he started winning trophies. He dominated the Premier League in the 90s, and he admitted that his goal was to overhaul Liverpool's trophy haul, which he managed to do last season with his 12th Premier League win.

2: Jock Stein (26 Trophies)

Jock Stein did the impossible. He won the European Cup with Celtic as well as the Scottish League and Cup many other times.

3:Ottmar Hitzfeld (25 Trophies)

Hitzfeld was a massively successful manager. His most successful period was at Bayern Munich, where he won the Champions League in 2001.

4: Giovanni Trappatoni (22 Trophies)

The Italian won the European Cup in 1986 with Juventus, thanks to a 56th minute Michel Platini penalty. He also managed in several other countries. He managed in many other countries and is now managing Ireland.

5: Walter Smith (22 Trophies)

The Rangers legend has won many trophies with Rangers and the Kirin Cup with Scotland.

6: Louis Van Gaal (19 Trophies)

The Dutch coach had the Zenith of his career at Ajax, where he won the Champions League in 1995. He fielded an Ajax side consisting of Litmanen, Kanu and Overmars.

7: Bob Paisley (18 Trophies)

The Liverpool legend has won three European Cups. He instituted the most successful period in Liverpool's history by winning many domestic trophies.

8: Jose Mourinho (18 Trophies)

Jose Mourinho has the potential to climb further up this list. Mourinho has managed to incredible success at Porto, where he brought them the Champions League in 2004.

He managed to overhaul the Arsenal Invincibles and won the League with Chelsea twice. He also won a treble at Inter Milan.

9: Ernst Happel (17 Trophies)

The Austrian won the Champions League with two different clubs, as well as taking Holland to the final of World Cup 1978.

10: Fabio Capello (16 Trophies)

Fabio Capello is one of the greatest coaches of all time.

He won the Champions League in 1994, beating Johan Cruyff's Dream Team, 4-0. His most successful period was at Milan, where he won the Champions League.