5 most successful managers in La Liga history

La Liga has been graced by many fine managers in the course of its near nine-decade-long history.

Last season, Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid put on an uncharacteristic defensive masterclass to win their first La Liga title in three years. Incidentally, the Frenchman was also at the Real Madrid helm in 2016-17, when Los Blancos last triumphed in La Liga.

Despite the Frenchman's fine track record as a manager, there are a few others who have triumphed in La Liga on more occasions than Zidane.

On that note, let us have a look at the five most successful managers in La Liga history.

#5 Pep Guardiola - 3 La Liga titles

Among four different men who have won three La Liga titles, Pep Guardiola has been the most efficient of them all.

The Spaniard has the highest points-per-match (2.45) in La Liga history and is one of the most decorated managers in the game.

After assuming charge of a slumping Barcelona side that was recovering from a trophyless 2007-08 campaign, Guardiola - who had no prior senior managerial experience - kickstarted a stunning turnaround.

Under his tutelage, Barcelona won a La Liga three-peat, with his first season in-charge producing a continental treble.

Guardiola was denied four La Liga titles in a row by Real Madrid as the tactician ended his last season in charge of Barcelona without a league trophy.

Although a few other managers have also won exactly three La Liga titles, Guardiola finds a mention owing to his stupendous record and impact in the competition.

#4 Enrique Fernandes - 3 La Liga titles

Enrique Fernandes is one of the rare managers to have achieved La Liga success with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two powerhouses of Spanish football.

The Uruguayan, who played for Barcelona in La Liga, arrived at the club in 1947 and delivered consecutive titles in the competition.

After assuming the reins of Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid in 1953, Fernandes delivered the club their first La Liga title in nearly two decades.

#3 Johan Cryuff - 4 La Liga titles

Johan Cruyff is one of the finest players to have graced La Liga. He is also one of the most accomplished tacticians in the competition's illustrious history.

The Dutchman, who arrived as the Barcelona manager a decade after a successful stint as a player, assembled the club's legendary 'dream team' that won titles galore.

Comprising the likes of Pep Guardiola, Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup and Hristo Stoichkov, Cruyff's Barcelona won four consecutive La Liga titles in the early 1990s.

The former player also delivered the European Cup Winner's Cup and European Cup as manager to endear himself to the Barcelona faithful.

#2 Helenio Herrera - 4 La Liga titles

Helenio Herrera etched his name as one of the most tactically astute managers in La Liga history.

After delivering two La Liga titles with Atletico Madrid, the Argentine assumed charge at three more clubs in the competition before winning two more league titles, this time with Barcelona.

Herrera, who also won three Serie A titles with Inter Milan, was renowned for his rigorous discipline and unflinching desire to succeed.

The tactician was particularly known for introducing the 'Catenaccio' style of football when he was in Italy, one that focussed on watertight defence and blistering counterattacks.

#1 Miguel Munoz - 9 La Liga titles

Miguel Munoz is the most successful manager in the history of La Liga.

The Spaniard oversaw a staggering nine La Liga triumphs with Real Madrid - five of them coming in succession in the early 60s.

The first person to win the European Champions Club Cup (now called the Champions League) both as a player and a coach, Munoz won silverware galore during his managerial stint at Real Madrid.

Apart from his success in La Liga, Munoz also won two European Champions Club Cup and three Spanish Cup titles. After 16 successful seasons at the club, he left Real Madrid in 1974.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh