Who are the most successful managers in football?

A manager’s success is measured by the titles they have claimed, which is why the most successful managers in football have won numerous trophies over the course of their career. From the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson to Pep Guardiola who seemingly took the torch from the Scott, these managers have had great influence in the football world and are considered the greatest of all time.

Putting the number of trophies won in mind, here are the most successful managers in the world as of 2024:

1. Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson. Photo/ Goal.com.

Sir Alex Ferguson is considered by many the GOAT manager, and it’s for a good reason. During his days as a manager, Manchester United dominated English football, winning several trophies and producing the best football players.

While Ferguson is best remembered for his time with the Red Devils, the Scott also managed Aberdeen, with whom he won ten titles. Over the course of his career, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson won a total of 48 trophies.

2. Pep Guardiola 

Pep Guardiola is arguably the best manager in the football world right now. He has managed three clubs over the course of his managerial career and has won titles with all those clubs. His managerial career started at FC Barcelona, where he won the treble in his first season. He then moved to Bayern Munich where he added more trophies and then Manchester City, with whom he won the treble last season.

Guardiola, who is the first manager to win two trebles, has so far won 38 titles.

3. Mircea Lucescu

Mircea Lucescu. Photo/ Scroll.in.

The third spot on the list of the most successful managers in football goes to Mircea Lucescu. Romania’s captain at the 1970 FIFA World Cup turned out to be a great manager after ending his playing career and has so far won a total of 35 titles in his long illustrious career. Some of the clubs he has managed include Dynamo Kyiv, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Inter Milan and Besiktas.

4. Valeriy Lobanovskyi

Valeriy Lobanovskyi is often credited as the progenitor of the False 9 position and the style of Total Football. He most coached national teams but boasts winning two UEFA Cup Winners Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. In his legendary career he won 29 titles. Valeriy passed away in 2002.

5. Jock Stein 

Next on the list of most successful football managers in football is Scottish legend Jock Stein. During his time with Celtic, Stein set a record by being the first British manager to win the European Cup. He went on to win a total of 26 trophies in his managerial career. Jock Stein passed away in 1985.

5. Luiz Felipe Scolari

Luis Felipe Scolari is one of the most successful managers in football. Photo/ World Soccer Talk.

Luis Felipe Scolari started his managerial career in 1982 and went on to achieve great success managing clubs such as Criciuma, Gremio and Palmeiras. He also managed the Brazil national team and led them to triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Scolari has won 26 trophies.

5. Jose Mourinho

The only surprise with Jose Mourinho being on this list is him being found lower on the list. Mourinho started his career at a young age and has since managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Real Madrid. Over the years, he has won a total of 26 trophies, making him one of the most successful managers in football.

8. Ottmar Hitzfeld

Germany has produced various managers and Ottmar Hitzfeld happens to be one of them. The 75-year-old won a total of 25 titles with clubs such as Grasshopper Club Zurich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. He won the UEFA Champions League twice with both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

9. Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti. Photo/ Reddit.

Carlo Ancelotti has had the privilege of managing several top clubs in Europe and he has delivered. Currently with Real Madrid, the Italian is the only manager to have won the league title in all of Europe’s top five leagues. His trophy cabinet includes 4 Champions League titles, 4 UEFA Super Cups, 2 German Super Cups, 2 Club world cups, among other trophies. He has won 25 trophies.

10. Giovanni Trapattoni 

Also known as known as ‘Trap‘ or ‘Il Trap‘, Giovanni Trapattoni is a legend of the game. He is considered the most successful coach of Italian football and won 23 trophies over the course of his career. Trapattoni is currently 85 years old.