Pep Guardiola’s influence on Manchester City has been nothing short of revolutionary.
Since his arrival in 2016, City have become the dominant force in English football and are regular favourites to win the league in the Premier League betting after capturing the last four titles in a row.
If this is to be the Catalonian’s last season in the Premier League, he will have left a lasting impact. Over the years, he has altered his sides and continued to rebuild and find new ways of staying on top. Perhaps only Sir Alex Ferguson can rival him for the greatest manager English football has ever seen.
Guardiola’s success is part of a larger trend that has seen foreign managers arrive on British shores and leave an indelible mark on the Premier League.
From tactical innovation to era-defining triumphs, these managers have helped transform the league into one of the most competitive and exciting competitions in world football. Alongside Guardiola, here we look at some of the best foreign managers in Premier League history.
José Mourinho
When José Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004, fresh from winning the Champions League with Porto, he dubbed himself “The Special One” – and for good reason.
The Portuguese manager transformed Chelsea, guiding them to consecutive Premier League titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06 and only being denied successive Champions League finals by Luis Garcia’s ghost goal at Anfield.
Mourinho left Stamford Bridge in 2007 but returned for a second spell in 2013 and added another league title in 2014/15, cementing his legacy. He also had spells at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, where his unique personality and tactical nous continued to make headlines.
Jürgen Klopp
If Mourinho is the “Special One,” then Jürgen Klopp is the “Normal One.” Klopp brought his high-energy “gegenpressing” style to Liverpool, helping them get back to their best following years of inconsistency at Anfield.
After running Guardiola and City close in the 2018/19 title race, Klopp’s Liverpool finally ended their 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2019/20.
Under his leadership, Liverpool also claimed the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, making him one of the most successful managers in the club’s history. Though he left Liverpool last season, Klopp’s legacy is firmly etched into Premier League history.
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger paved the way for modern football management in England. His appointment at Arsenal in 1996 brought a revolution in sports science, nutrition, and tactics, changing the culture of English football.
Wenger’s attention to detail, particularly in player conditioning and tactical fluidity, helped Arsenal secure three Premier League titles, including the iconic unbeaten “Invincibles” season in 2003/04.
The Frenchman’s influence extends beyond the trophies – he helped reshape the perception of foreign managers in English football and laid the foundations for the modern Premier League, bringing in stars from abroad like Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti’s time in England may have been brief, but his impact was significant. His Chelsea side set a then-record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season with 103, as they won the title in 2009/10, playing some of the most entertaining football of the era.
Known for his calm, measured approach, Ancelotti is one of the most successful managers in European football, with multiple Champions League titles to his name.
After his successful spell at Chelsea, Ancelotti also managed Everton, where he restored stability before returning to Real Madrid, guiding them to two more European triumphs, further cementing his legacy.
Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri is best known for his fairytale achievement with Leicester City in 2015/16. Starting his Premier League career with Chelsea, Ranieri was dubbed “The Tinkerman” for his habit of rotating his squad. However, it was at Leicester where Ranieri found stability.
He molded the fantastic Foxes into a team that defied 5000-1 odds to win the Premier League. Leicester’s triumph under Ranieri is widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting achievements in history, and his ability to create a team of champions from relative unknowns solidified his place among the Premier League’s greatest foreign managers.
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