Top 10 managers of the 2017/18 season

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League - Etihad Stadium
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola

#1 Jupp Heynckes

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FC Bayern Muenchen v VfB Stuttgart - Bundesliga
Jupp Heynckes saved Bayern's season in a spectacular fashion

Stretch your memories back to the day when the media lashed out at Carlo Ancelotti after Bayern's 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Paris Saint Germain in the UCL group stage. Not long after that, the Italian was shown the exit door with the reigns being handed to Jupp Heynckes with a view of saving the season.

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With the German's timely arrival, Bayern started looking like their old self.

First and foremost, it's Bayern's transfer policy that deserves a worthy mention. After losing a number of exquisite first team players like Xabi Alonso and Philip Lahm, the Bavarians brought in James Rodriguez and Corentin Tolisso under £50 million, while also promoting youngsters Felix Gotze and Christian Fruchtl to the first team, thereby continuing their age-old legacy of producing talents.

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Instead of totally changing the system in his fourth spell as Bayern boss, Heynckes moved Javi Martinez back to the defensive midfield area from centre-back, a decision that reaped wealthy dividends. Also, he efficiently rotated his squad by resting ageing players like Robben and Ribery and saving them for big games.

He afforded Robert Lewandowski a much-needed breather by signing striker Sandro Wagner in January, which did take off a bit of the mammoth pressure over the Pole's shoulders with respect to scoring goals. He also breathed life into James Rodriguez who appears to be back to his former best, having notched 8 goals and 13 assists in 38 games for Die Roten.

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Although the UCL remained a disappointment as Bayern lost out to Real Madrid, they played with fierce passion during both legs. If only they could have been more clinical in finishing, they would have been the one eagerly waiting to face Liverpool in the semis.

Heynckes' men are also in the DFB Pokal and are strong favourites to win the title.

A domestic double coming at the end of a season that started poorly would be more than just a fitting end. As for Heynckes, the genius returned to management after being out of the trade for 4 years but excellently showcased his skills by keeping hopes alive and making people known that he has still got the magic left in him.

Easily the best manager of the season, ain't he?

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Edited by Amit Mishra
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