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Success in football depends largely on the manager as they shape the style of a particular team on the pitch. Unlike other sports like cricket, a manager plays one of the most important roles in football.
Managers select the players and decide the tactics of a team. Moreover, a good manager also manage the egos and diversity among the players in the squad. Arguably, football matches are decided by the tactics at the highest level.
Premier League teams are regaining their supremacy in Europe and it goes without saying that the managers deserve huge credit. It is the most competitive league in the world and we are blessed to experience some of the best masterminds in the league this campaign.
Without further ado, let us take a look at top five managers in the Premier League this season.
#1 Jurgen Klopp
The first two choices among the list are almost inter-changeable but the impact of Jurgen Klopp remains unmatched by any other manager in England. The transformation of Liverpool under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp has been massive. The Reds are serious contenders in the Premier League and a force to reckon with in Europe.
It will be an understatement to say that Klopp has a huge influence over the club and the players. Klopp's tactical flexibility is one of the most refreshing things for the Anfield faithful and his ability to get the best out of the players remains unparalleled. The players would die for him on the pitch which really portrays how Klopp is as a manager.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool remains the only team in the league who can give Pep Guardiola's centurions a run for their money. With their front three, Liverpool has played some exciting football at times and Klopp has managed to strengthen the team's rearguard after the arrival of Virgil van Dijk.
In the current campaign, the Reds have matched City stride by stride but it remains to be seen whether Klopp can help Liverpool cross the final hurdle this time around.
#2 Pep Guardiola
Success speaks louder than everything else and there are no modern-day managers who can match the success of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola's impact is not limited to the teams he manage as he revolutionized the game in many ways. After enjoying success in Spain and Germany, Pep Guardiola is leaving his footprints in the Premier League.
The fact that Liverpool may end up with 97 points yet not win the league title depicts the dominance of City under Guardiola. City looks unstoppable while relentlessly dominating opponents in an unprecedented manner. They won the league last season with 100 points and the title is still in their hands in 2018/19. City can still win the domestic treble in England, which speak volumes of Guardiola's impact.
Guardiola's famous 'Centurions' did not only dominate but made football to an art form, which is eye pleasing even to the opponents. The only thing which pushes Pep to the second position in the list is probably his failures in Europe despite the fact that he has more depth in his squad than Klopp.
#3 Javi Gracia
The most underrated manager in the Premier League is undoubtedly Javi Gracia, whose Watford side is constantly punching above their weight. Gracia remains one of the most experienced students of the game as he featured in vast number of matches as a player and managed numerous sides before coming to Watford.
Watford are eighth in the Premier League but Gracia's good work has been seen in both in the league and in the FA Cup. Watford are set to play against Manchester City in the finals, after beating Wolves in the semi-finals.
Unorthodox and soft-spoken, Gracia uses an unusual 4-2-2-2 formation which can rattle the opponents' tactics and style of play, as has been evident in numerous matches this season. Gracia is also extremely disciplined as a coach despite his composed demeanour and it shows on the pitch.
There is no doubt that Gracia made his mark in the Premier League this campaign, after an unsuccessful tenure with Rubin Kazan. It remains to be seen whether he can turn Watford into a constant force if he gets the tools necessary to do so in the transfer window.
#4 Nuno Santos
The giant killers in the Premier League this season are Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the past month, they have managed to defeat Arsenal and Manchester United and remain just above Watford in the league table. Although a Europa League spot in impossible, it is safe to say that Wolves have been one of the most exciting sides in the league this season, thanks to Nuno.
With numerous talented players under him, what Nuno managed to achieved with Wolves is nothing short of astonishing. Wolves were promoted to the Premier League last season and have been a constant force to reckon with, lurking around the top six in the league table this season.
While the FA Cup defeat against Watford in the semi-finals will come as a disappointment, Wolves look like the real deal under Nuno. Nuno's Wolves employ quick passing and some shrewd football in a tactical set up of 3-4-3 which has troubled opponents over and over again this season.
It goes without saying that the work done by the Portuguese manager and Wolves' current season in top flight will be something remember in coming years.
#5 Mauricio Pochettino
Last but not the least, Mauricio Pochettino's name is bound to make a mark when we are talking about top managers in the Premier League this season. Although a trophy still remains elusive for Tottenham, Pochettino has worked wonders with the north London outfit.
With the lowest transfer budget, Pochettino has managed to cement Tottenham's place in the top four consistently in the league. Although Spurs are no match to Manchester City and Liverpool, they are the best among the rest and remain the team to beat for every heavyweight. Tottenham currently sit third in the Premier League table.
Spurs are enjoying an extended and remarkable run in the Champions League by reaching the semi-finals. They defeated Manchester City in the quarters, which is no easy task for any team in Europe. Moreover, even under the absence of talisman Harry Kane and key players, Pochettino has kept Tottenham fighting at the highest level of the game.
With minimal wage bill and different stadiums, there is a reason why Pochettino is constantly being linked with European heavyweights. When we are talking about the best managers, Pochettino deserves to be right up there.
