Who is the Premier League's best manager?

Two Minute Warning

31Jul

Who is the Premier League’s best manager?

Having chosen our Life’s a Pitch Premier League select XI from last season we now need a manager. And if there’s one thing the Premier League has plenty of it’s top managers. The panel throws up the likes of Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini, Alan Pardew of Newcastle, Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo, plus Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert for their work at Swansea and Norwich respectively. But who will they decide on?

To get us started, the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield explains why Ferguson should be ruled out as a contender. “The fact that over those last few weeks of the season [Man Utd's] eight-point lead was eroded by Manchester City and United’s world imploded around them, I don’t think Ferguson deserves it on that basis alone.”

Which leads us nicely on to Mancini at Man City, the manager who won the Premier League title. “Yes, he had the money, but given the history of Man City there are no guarantees with that chequebook that you can or will deliver,” explains the Sunday Mirror’s David Walker. “I think what he did, especially right at the end, and the way they came back into it having blown it [means he deserves it].”

But did Mancini’s larger budget give him an unfair advantage? And what about success in other competitions? Journalist and author Ian Ridley champions the claims of Pardew and Di Matteo.

“Alan Pardew did an amazing job with Newcastle United with the resources he was given. But if you’re looking for a manager that’s successful, it’s got to be Roberto Di Matteo. He won the FA Cup and he won the Champions League with Chelsea by not doing very much except getting the older players back on side and sending them out to do the business.”

Watch the video to find out which manager the Life’s a Pitch panel and host Mike Calvin select for the Premier League XI.

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above.

Vote for who you think is the Premier League’s best manager in our online poll

The Life’s a Pitch Premier League Select XI (so far)
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Left-back: Ashley Cole
Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany
Centre-back: Joleon Lescott
Centre-midfield: Yaya Touré
Centre-midfield: Michael Carrick
Left-wing: Gareth Bale
Right-wing: Antonio Valencia
Centre-forward: Robin van Persie
Centre-forward: Wayne Rooney

Related articles:

Video: Who is the Premier League’s best goalkeeper?

Video: Who are the Premier League’s best full-backs?

Video: Who are the Premier League’s best centre-backs?

Video: Who are the Premier League’s best central midfielders?

Video: Who are the Premier League’s best wide midfielders?

Video: Who is the Premier League’s best centre-forwards?

Follow Life’s a Pitch on Twitter @BTLifesaPitch

Comments

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Anonymous

This is hilarious. Fergie ‘ruled out’, what the same bloke who has won more than any of this lot put together? Also, where is Wenger? They are the two best managers in the league and have been for years. I can’t take this list seriously without them near the top of it. What a farce. Embarrassing.
maxjgri

Di Matteo rode his luck in the Champions League (fair play, of course) and won an FA Cup without too much difficulty. His record in the league was ordinary. In fact, it was awful. If this is indeed a poll on the best manager in the league, then one would have to lean towards Mancini, Pardew and Rodgers.

Where’s Wenger? Sure, there was the poor start, but Arsenal made up a hell of a gap to finish third. He was above Lambert and Ferguson this season in my opinion.
BLUEFLETCH

What you should be saying is that Fergie & Wenger WERE the two best managers, not ARE.
Coeus

Roberto Mancini.. first full season in England. Beautiful football.u.der some difficult circimstances and held his nerve against the tyrant of old. Well done Roberto!
Steveferguson88

LOL Coeus what planet are you on!. Man City bought the title same as Man Utd many years ago and Chelsea!.. I mean IF I throw 900 Billion at Alen Pardew and told buy Ronaldo Tevez Van Persie Villa Silva Newcastle would win the title infact would walk it to be honest!. Mancini can’t be THAT good he fluffed 2 other cups REMEBER
Coeus

Robertos a winner money or no money look at his past. Pardew had one ok season. See whay he does next season. Roberto will continue to win win win like winners do.
Iyacoob

1 EPL title in 44yrs and shitty have the best of everything, Wait another 44yrs for the 2nd title. The entire footballing world knows what shitty fans deny , they BOUGHT the league.
Coeus

Im not disputing the money was spent. Fact is if you want to win the league then you have to spend. City won it because they spent money on some of the best players.. and have a great manager. If its not true that you need a great manager then where were Chelsea last season, theyve spent money and have great players no? I’m afraid City fans have been through it so dont worry we know where were from. Roberto Mancini! Legend. Agueroooooooo!
Zildmaar1

First full season in England?! You obviously don’t watch much English football
Zildmaar1

Alan Pardew all day long, and that’s coming from a Chelsea fan
ga Bl

ronaldo was an unkown kid when he joined united. same with rvp.. any of the managers could of tried for them. but they didnt; thats the point
http://www.facebook.com/mortenfriis Morten Friis

My thought exactly
http://www.facebook.com/mortenfriis Morten Friis

Still 19 points behind the two leaders though.
Chrismoussa1

Should of been Brendan Rodgers
Jamiebaxter9

It’s based on last season you mug otherwise obviously fergie would win it.
Leslie Baker852

One of these days the premier league will come down with a
big bang some clubs will go the same as Rangers
36million for one player is stupid money in this climate

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