Every Current 2024/25 Premier League Manager [Ranked]

The Premier League is regarded by many as the best division in world football. This means it’s little surprise that some of the greatest players and managers currently involved in the beautiful game are plying their trade in the English top flight.

While it’s the players who are often lauded for their match-winning displays, the importance of managers shouldn’t be understated. The geniuses behind every great success, dugout tacticians are becoming even more important in the modern game, and it’s about time they were given their flowers.

That said, below are the 20 current Premier League bosses ranked from best to worst. In order to come to these conclusions, the following factors have been taken into consideration:

Ranking Factors

• Current performances
• Honours Won
• Premier League Experience
• Achievements in Other Leagues
• Impact on Their Current Club

1 Pep Guardiola

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola is almost unanimously seen as the best manager in world football, not just in the English top flight. The Catalan-born technician has revolutionised football during his time at the top. So much so that his style of possession-based football has been replicated by many bosses looking to emulate his success.

Having achieved history in the past two seasons with a treble in the 2022-23 campaign followed by a fourth consecutive league triumph, Guardiola sets an extremely high benchmark that’s near impossible for others to reach. There will be no argument that the man who has won the English top flight in six of the last seven seasons is deserving of the top spot, even if recent form hasn’t helped present the most compelling case of such regal positioning.

2 Mikel Arteta

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is looking to get one over his former boss after working closely with Guardiola as his assistant manager at the Etihad Stadium. While he has turned Arsenal’s fortunes around in recent years, his young team is yet to usurp the English juggernaut that is Manchester City.

From the bleak state he found the north London side in upon his arrival, to the buoyant atmosphere around the Emirates Stadium now, it’s been a remarkable transformation under the Spaniard – who has recently signed a new deal to keep him with the club until 2027. Arteta’s men are definitely one of the favourites to lift the 2024-25 Premier League trophy, largely due to his tactical intelligence and man-management skills.

3 Unai Emery

Aston Villa

Unai Emery would perhaps be second on this list based on career achievements in the dugout. After making the Europa League his competition with Sevilla and going extremely close to reaching the Champions League final with Villarreal, the Spanish boss opted to have a second try at English football following a disappointing spell at Arsenal.

Taking over from Steven Gerrard with Aston Villa fearing they would be sucked into a relegation battle, Emery instilled his tactical beliefs into the players almost immediately and helped his new side climb the table to finish in a Europa Conference League spot. The 53-year-old tactician only improved in the 2023-24 campaign as he masterminded Villa’s return to the top table in Europe with a fourth-placed finish.

4 Arne Slot

Liverpool

Liverpool supporters will be more than happy with Arne Slot’s high inclusion on this list, having seen just 12 Premier League outings under the Dutchman, but this is solely down to his tactical flexibility, as evidenced by his brilliant breakdown of Manchester United’s structure after their 3-0 victory. In fact, there’s every chance he will rise in the pecking order as he continues to prove himself on the Premier League stage.

Taking over from Jurgen Klopp would be a challenging and daunting prospect for any manager, but Slot is the man the Reds have trusted to steer the ship into a new era. There’s sound logic behind this as the 46-year-old has transformed Feyenoord into regular contenders for the Eredivisie, which they won under his stewardship in 2023. There have been lofty expectations on his shoulders from the off, but, aside from a shock loss to Nottingham Forest, Slot has answered every question of him thus far, as the Reds sit atop of both the Champions League and Premier League, with 17 wins from 19 games across all competitions.

5 Thomas Frank

Brentford

Links to jobs as prestigious as the Manchester United and Chelsea managerial positions don’t tend to fall at everyone’s door. While Thomas Frank won’t be stepping out at either Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge as the home manager, the Dane has still undoubtedly caught the eye of several elite clubs in England’s football pyramid.

This comes as little surprise as Brentford have consistently punched well above their weight under his calming influence. His accomplishments are sometimes written off due to the pragmatic and sensible way he has approached life in the Premier League, but the Bees played beautifully as they tore the Championship apart during the 2020-21 season. Frank has appropriately adapted his style of play to survive and even get some massive results against the traditional ‘Big Six’ in England.

6 Eddie Howe

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe’s reputation peaked after taking Newcastle United from a relegation dog-fight to the Champions League and the Englishman looked to be destined to go from strength to strength with the mega-rich Magpies.

Things hit a snag in the 2023-24 season, however, as a crippling injury crisis in key areas of the squad resulted in an early exit from Europe’s premier competition and the club languishing in mid-table. A strong run at the end of the season wasn’t enough for Howe to steer his side back into Europe as Manchester United’s FA Cup success denied Newcastle a Europa Conference League spot. The club’s troubles have continued this season, but considering all he’s done so far in the top flight, Howe deserves his place here, and there’s no reason he can’t help the side rediscover their winning mentality after a recent 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

7 Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham

Way back in the summer of 2023, the mood surrounding Tottenham Hotspur was perpetually negative given their continued failures in cup competitions and league standings. The failed spells of serial winners Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte had left even the most optimistic Spurs fans feeling bleak about the club’s prospects.

However, the energetic and easy-on-the-eye football brought to north London by Ange Postecoglou had those fears quickly brushed aside. Granted, Tottenham’s form dipped towards the latter parts of his maiden season in the hot seat, but the former Celtic boss imposed his football ideologies on his new set of players extremely quickly after tasting success elsewhere in the world. This season, Spurs have often blown hot and cold, as they reacted to a 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town with a 4-0 win over Man City. Consistency is certainly a key issue, but not one the Greek-Australian can’t solve.

8 Fabian Hurzeler

Brighton & Hove Albion

An unknown but largely successful quantity in the Premier League, Brighton & Hove Albion’s new man at the helm, Fabian Hurzeler, has the Seagulls situated in second in the Premier League after 12 games. He became the youngest permanent head coach in the history of the division after joining in the summer and is the first man to have been born after its inception in 1992, which is an incredible feat in itself, too.

Hurzeler’s relative inexperience limits him here, but based on performances alone, not too many have outshone him so far. It’s scary to think just how good he can become considering half his players are older than him.

9 Enzo Maresca

Chelsea

Enzo Maresca is another of Pep Guadiola’s former proteges who have gone on their own journey in search of success in terms of silverware and becoming one of the most revered managers in world football. The Italian enjoyed a strong season with Leicester City in the Championship, securing an instant return to the Premier League.

He didn’t stick around for the Foxes’ attempt at remaining in the division, though. Instead, Maresca will have aspirations to qualify for the Champions League in his new role as Chelsea custodian. While he had Leicester playing some attacking and entertaining football, the step-up to the west Londoners is significant, but recent performances suggest that he was the right appointment to get the Blues competing further up the Premier League table. Should their good form continue and if trophies return, then Maresca might well find himself even higher.

10 Marco Silva

Fulham

Last season was a strange old campaign for Marco Silva and his west London-based outfit Fulham. The Portuguese tactician turned down a lucrative offer to jump ship to the Saudi Pro League before then losing his star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to the same division.

While the loss of the goal-hungry Serbian initially appeared to impact the Cottagers’ fortunes in front of goal, Silva quickly turned things around to guide the club back to mid-table security. This might not be the most glamorous feat in world football, but the capital club’s desire to re-establish themselves at the top table of English football has been realised. Add his wonderful first top-flight campaign at Craven Cottage and the club’s excellent form this season to the mix, and Silva is rightfully recognised as a brilliant coach.

11 Ruben Amorim

Manchester United

Manchester United bit the bullet and decided to dismiss Erik ten Hag after two extremely up-and-down seasons. They wasted no time finding a replacement either, as Ruben Amorim agreed to become the Dutchman’s successor over the international break to become one of the top 15 highest-paid managers in world football.

Amorim has built a solid reputation for his work in Portugal, where he’s turned Sporting into a dominant force at the top of the Primeira Liga. The 39-year-old is regarded as one of the best managers in the world, but due to the fact he’s only managed one game in the Premier League – a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town – and it’s currently unclear just how well he’ll settle in at United, he ranks here at 11th. If he gets off to a good start in Manchester, though, don’t be surprised if he shoots up this list.

12 Andoni Iraola

Bournemouth

Eyebrows were raised when Bournemouth made the decision to sack Gary O’Neil and replace him with a relatively unknown manager in Andoni Iraola. After remaining in the top flight, the Cherries’ ownership showed ambition by adding several talented players to the squad to support their new coach.

Following a shaky start and prolonged settling-in period, Iraola got Bournemouth purring on the pitch. A hard-working style of play, coupled with the belief he instilled in his players were the recipe for success at the Vitality Stadium as the club reached their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League and things have started well this time around.

13 Nuno Espirito Santo

Nottingham Forest

It’s not Nuno Espirito Santo’s first stint in English football, as he previously managed both Wolves and Tottenham to varying degrees of success. His time with Spurs was disastrous, as he didn’t last much more than three months before being replaced by the revered Jose Mourinho.

He was the man to take Wolves back into the top tier and solidified them as a mainstay in the English top division. Steve Cooper was a popular figure at Nottingham Forest and some were unsure when Santo was handed the reigns of the struggling team. He did steer Forest to safety and confirmed a third consecutive campaign in the division for the former European champions, which has started very promisingly indeed, with the Tricky Trees operating in seventh after a memorable victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

14 Oliver Glasner

Crystal Palace

Many Premier League fans wouldn’t have been familiar with the exploits of Oliver Glasner before he joined Crystal Palace to replace Roy Hodgson. However, English football supporters are now acutely aware of the Austrian as he had the Eagles soaring in the final months of the 2023-24 season – even if life now looks a little more difficult without the talismanic Michael Olise.

The 50-year-old has a Europa League win on his CV, having won the second-tier European competition with German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022. The likes of Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta have both flourished under his guidance, as Glasner allowed the creative players in the side the freedom to express themselves to the highest degree. Nevertheless, current form this season has left a lot to be desired. With the Eagles nosediving into 19th after 12 games, the 50-year-old will need to act fast to avoid the boot.

15 Sean Dyche

Everton

Sean Dyche has been a well-known figure to Premier League fans for the better part of a decade now, and the Everton boss continues to defy the odds as his pragmatic approach garners the required results time after time. With points deductions hampering his team, the English gaffer didn’t allow heads to drop in the dressing room as Everton fought to a comfortable finish in the English top flight last year.

He’s never one to look for excuses and hasn’t ever bemoaned the financial limitations he’s had to work under at Goodison Park. Dyche managed to take a lesser-talented Burnley to Europe after all, so his managerial abilities, especially when it comes to managing sides that are destined for a relegation battle, should not be in doubt. After a poor start to the 2024/25 season, things are slowly turning around for the Toffees, which only further authenticates his power to find silver linings in any cloud.

16 Julen Lopetegui

West Ham United

Julen Lopetegui is back in the Premier League, this time as West Ham United’s first-team manager, after leaving fellow top-tier side Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2023. The outspoken Spaniard previously occupied the dugout at Molineux Stadium before departing his former side just days before the start of the 2023-24 season.

He had a steady time with his previous club in England but didn’t exactly smash through barriers. As an ex-Spain and Real Madrid boss, Lopetegui comes with a big reputation and huge expectations at his new ambitious home. The London Stadium hasn’t seen top performances yet under his tutelage, with them floundering in 14th spot. But considering Lopetegui’s CV, which includes a Europa League and an impressive 13th-place finish with Wolves, it’s hard to have him much lower.

17 Kieran McKenna

Ipswich Town

Kieran McKenna, like the aforementioned Frank, was named in conversations around the Manchester United and Chelsea manager jobs shortly after he secured back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town in 2024. The Tractor Boys are back in the Premier League after over two decades away from the division, with McKenna’s work being heralded as remarkable.

He was formerly a coach at Old Trafford under the much-beloved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the 38-year-old decided to leave and pursue his own career in the hot seat. His first foray into the world of football management couldn’t have gone much better to date, but he’s currently facing his biggest challenge to date as he tries to keep Ipswich in the top flight.

18 Ruud van Nistelrooy

Leicester City

With both sides of the M69 derby, Coventry City and Leicester City, recently sacking their managers amid fears of a relegation battle, the Foxes took the bragging rights when they were able to pip their rivals to the signature of 95-goal former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy following the axing of Steve Cooper earlier in November.

Though van Nistelrooy’s managerial resume is still in its early stages, his impressive interim stint at Manchester United—where he secured three wins and a draw while filling in the blank space between Ten Hag and Amorim – has fuelled excitement among Leicester fans. Now stepping into a permanent role for the first time since achieving a 64.71% win rate as PSV’s manager, van Nistelrooy’s success in the east Midlands remains uncertain, but his track record and passion offer plenty of promise for the King Power faithful.

19 Gary O’Neil

Wolves

Gary O’Neil could rightly have felt hard done by to lose his job at Bournemouth after defying all odds to keep the club in the division during the 2022-23 campaign. The former West Ham and Portsmouth midfielder didn’t spend too much time feeling sorry for himself, however, as he quickly stepped up to the plate at Wolves after Lopetegui’s shock exit.

Wolves are one of many teams that have had to part ways with some star players such as Ruben Neves, Adama Traore and Joao Moutinho departing Molineux to align the club with FFP regulations. This had supporters fearing the worst, with some even considering relegation to be a possibility. However, O’Neil harnessed the potential of Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha while also organising his defence well and the men in gold put a healthy margin between themselves and the bottom three. While performances have led to some concerns, it’s worth remembering that the Old Gold had the fifth most difficult start to the 2024/25 season. With easier fixtures on the horizon, they should start picking up more points.

20 Russell Martin

Southampton

Southampton bounced straight back up to the top flight after just one season in the Championship. Russell Martin had Saints’ fans believing in the players on the pitch once more with a possession-based style of play and a steely determination.

It did take the playoffs to see the club gain promotion, but Martin will remain confident his team can continue to grow together and give a good account of themselves against the best teams in the country. Having endured a tricky start to life following his side’s promotion, the ex-Swansea City boss is high on the most likely Premier League manager to face the axe.

All statistics are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Accurate as of 30/11/24.