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#8 Brian Clough
The greatest football managers in history usually have a tinge of madness about them. The 1970s were a time of flamboyance and swagger and there is arguably no manager charismatic enough in English football history to hold a torch to Brian Clough.
The ultimate maverick of the English game, Brian Clough's adventures as a prolific striker came to an abrupt end after a horrific knee injury. The rebellious lad from Middlesborough rose through the ranks as a manager and adopted a surprisingly authoritarian approach to his profession.
“I wouldn’t say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one.”
Clough's larger-than-life persona often saw him at odds with the club, the fans, and his own assistants. Aside from being one of the most enigmatic characters in English football history, Brian Cloughs's trophy-laden spells at Leeds United and Nottingham Forest make him a true footballing genius.
#7 Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger may not get the respect he deserves from modern generations of football fans but his stellar coaching record speaks for itself. The former Arsenal manager won plenty of silverware with the London giants and built one of the greatest teams in the history of the sport.
The end of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal career cannot discount the fact that 'Le Professeur' won four Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups at the club. The French manager also launched the careers of several modern-day legends of the game and has been worshipped by his players for well over two decades.
Arsene Wenger revolutionised the way the Gunners approached training and sporting science in the 1990s and created history with the 'Invincibles' in 2004. The likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, and Robin van Persie blossomed under his tutelage and carved Wenger's unique legacy in the Premier League.
#6 George Ramsay
George Ramsay is arguably one of the most influential figures in English football history. The Scotsman had a transformative impact on the sport in the 19th century and was the primary proponent of the most glorious era in Aston Villa's storied history.
Ramsay introduced the Scottish passing game to a league that was only beginning to learn the nuances of the sport it had pioneered. The Aston Villa manager's revolutionary tactics gave the club its 'Golden Age' and produced six league titles and five FA Cups.
Widely known as the world's first football manager, the legend of George Ramsay remains an integral part of English football folklore. The Glaswegian tactician had a storied career and is considered the founder of Aston Villa.
#5 Herbert Chapman
Modern football, like most other sports, is akin to a large-scale industry. While the tactical evolution of the game is often subject to much debate and discussion, the financial and marketing implications of a football club's decisions are just as pertinent. Herbert Chapman was arguably one of the first managers to understand the true potential of football as a powerful societal commodity.
Chapman was appointed as Arsenal's manager after successful stints at Leeds City and Huddersfield Town and immediately improved Arsenal's status in the league with his counter-attacking tactics. Chapman won two league titles and an FA Cup with the Gunners and went on to transform Arsenal as a football club.
In addition to his impressive achievements on the pitch, Herbert Chapman also introduced physiotherapy and new training routines at Arsenal. Chapman marked an era of impeccable success at Arsenal and is one of the most well-rounded managers in football history.
Also Read: 10 greatest managers in Serie A history
