Managerial Legends

Although he has won comparatively little in his long career – a couple of Argentine league titles and an Olympics gold medal – Marcelo Bielsa, a man known as El Loco (The Crazy) is renowned amongst his fellow professionals as one of the greatest coaches in the world. Bielsa is known for his dedication, obsession with the opposition, eye for ...

Football lost a legendary character in July of this year when Jack Charlton died. A centre-half with the legendary Leeds side of Leeds United and Don Revie, he became a national hero when he, together with his younger brother Bobby Charlton, lifted the World Cup with England. He then went into management and achieved success with the Irish national team, ...

Being a football manager requires a certain skill set that runs beyond that of understanding the game from a playing perspective. There are a range of skills a manager needs in order to succeed, some of which are very similar to those required around a poker table. Some players like Gerard Pique and Ronaldo for instance, have tried their luck at poker. Teddy ...

Jose Mourinho is planning to return to management in June. The 56-year old Portuguese manager has been out of work since being dismissed by Manchester United in December, but now, after a suitable chance to recharge his batteries, he is keen to take up the managerial reins again. And, it looks like he may be after a change of scene ...

Outside Anfield is a simple black plaque depicting the infectiously grinning face of Liverpool’s greatest ever manager.  Above this small tribute is the famous gateway named in Bob Paisley’s honour depicting the three European Cups won by the quiet, unassuming man from the North East of England. Some managers have stands and statues names after them, but the most successful ...

Introduction Gareth Ainsworth of Wycombe Wanderers is a rare breed in English football now, in that he is employed by his clubs as a player manager, responsible for all the training, organisation and administration that goes on off the field during the week, and yet happy to swap his suit and tie for shirts and shorts come the weekend. Yet, ...

Manchester United’s soap opera season continues to show no signs of abating. Whether it be criticism from the fans for a perceived negative approach or from within his own camp as players and agents continue to cause serious headaches, time looks like it may not be on Jose Mourinho’s side. It may sound a touch dramatic after only two games ...

Almost sixty years ago the most important name in the history of Liverpool FC became affiliated with the club. 14th December 1959, saw Bill Shankly finally stride into Anfield with the club languishing in the second tier of English Football. He would put into motion the driving force for one of the biggest success stories in the history of world ...

Arsene Wenger in Words Introduction When the new Premier League season kicked off on the 10th of August, one familiar figure was missing from the line-up of new and old faces, as English football entered the post Arsene Wenger era. For Arsenal fans in particular, especially the younger ones who have known no other manager, they will have to get ...

Source Football, like life itself, is full of characters. From combustive agents like Mino Raiola to demi-god club presidents like Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez, and players that come along only once in a lifetime like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. And then, there is that special class of managers that bring out the best from players and build teams that ...