Our top 10 managers of the Premier League season

26 May 2015 07:16

What’s a more impressive feat for a manager – leading a group of stars to the title, or guiding a team to Premier League safety on a shoestring budget? That’s the question as we ponder our top 10 managers of the season…

We put together a panel of 15 people, made up of the Press Association's staff of football reporters, as well as its sports editor and deputy editor, and got them each to nominate their top five.

Those were then converted to points, with five for coming first, four for second and so on. And here's what the learned panel came up with!

10. Mark Hughes – Stoke (5 points)

Stoke manager Mark Hughes
(Chris Ison/PA)

With a record points total for Stoke in the Premier League secured and a notable improvement in the team’s style of play to boot, Hughes scrapes into the top 10. How high might he be if Bojan Krkic had stayed fit?

8=. Louis van Gaal – Manchester United (6)

Louis van Gaal claps the Manchester United fans
(Barrington Coombs/EMPICS)

It’s hard to judge Van Gaal’s first season in charge of United. On the one hand he achieved what must have been the team’s goal for the season – getting back into the Champions League – but on the other hand, they have been genuinely awful at times. Still, they kept on racking up the points and were never seriously challenged for that fourth spot. Just don’t mention MK Dons.

8=. Tony Pulis – West Brom (6)

West Brom manager Tony Pulis celebrates on the sidelines
(Rui Vieira/AP)

It probably says all you need to know about Pulis’ reputation that once he took over at West Brom at the start of January, it was never really considered that they might be relegation candidates. He’s becoming the go-to guy for a relegation battle.

7. Arsene Wenger – Arsenal (14)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
(Lynne Cameron/PA)

It was a hit-and-miss season for Wenger with some great patches, some disappointing patches, Champions League football ultimately secured, some of the best football played in the league, Piers Morgan calling for his head and genuine hope that next season might be the one where they seriously challenge for the title. Pretty much like every season then.

6. Nigel Pearson – Leicester (17)

Nigel Pearson celebrates Leicester's win over Burnley
(Lynne Cameron/PA)

Arguably unlucky to miss out on the top five, Pearson did an incredible job to take a Leicester side who seemed doomed for almost the entire season on a barely believable run and to safety with plenty to spare. If only he hadn’t blotted his copybook with that whole ostrich incident…

5. Garry Monk – Swansea (21)

Garry Monk
(Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport)

Our Wales reporter Phil Blanche chose Monk as his manager of the season. He said: “Think back to August and Swansea were tipped by many for the drop with Monk reckoned to be too inexperienced for the job. Nine months on and Swansea have a record Premier League points total and their highest finish in the division. Amazing.”

4. Sean Dyche – Burnley (23)

Burnley manager Sean Dyche applauding
(Dave Howarth/PA)

Dyche proved the most divisive manager among our panel, with three placing him first but nine not including him in their list at all. North west reporter Carl Markham said: “His side may have been relegated but, as the no-nonsense Burnley boss has said all season, that was what everyone expected any way. Dyche’s non-complaining, straight-talking honesty was a breath of fresh air.” Andy Hampson described Dyche as “engaging and inspirational” and said he “almost pulled off something remarkable”.

3. Ronald Koeman – Southampton (31)

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman on the sidelines during Southampton's match against West Brom
(Chris Ison/PA)

Koeman, probably the managerial surprise package of the season, impressed two of our reporters. Simon Peach (who, it should be pointed out, is a Saints fan) said: “Relegation was how this season was supposed to end for Southampton. Instead they have mounted a European challenge in a record-breaking season. Overcoming an unparalleled talent drain with some wily additions, the Dutchman got Saints playing some exceptional football.” Phil Medlicott pointed out that he didn’t just match last season’s achievements, he “actually managed to make the Saints even better – all while coming across as a thoroughly nice bloke”.

2. Alan Pardew – Newcastle/Crystal Palace (36)

Alan Pardew (Scott Heppell/AP)
Alan Pardew (Scott Heppell/AP)

As much as the way Crystal Palace improved under his stewardship, it was the way Newcastle crumbled without him that showed what a good season Pardew had. Three of our panel picked him as their number one, including PA sports editor Ashley Broadley, who said: “He skilfully guided Palace away from any relegation worries. A great achievement following some dark, pressurised times at Newcastle.” Reporter Tom Allnutt added that under Pardew, Palace “transformed into one of the most exciting attacking outfits in the division”.

1. Jose Mourinho – Chelsea (62)

Jose Mourinho watches Chelsea from the sidelines
(Owen Humphreys/PA)

Mourinho was way out ahead according to our panel – he scored nearly twice as many points as anyone else. PA’s chief football writer Paul Hirst was one of six of our panel to choose him as their manager of the year, saying: “There is not one player in his squad who will not shed blood, sweat and tears for their boss.”

Chelsea reporter Matt McGeehan said: “A marmite figure (loved by many, loathed by more), but few can doubt his genius, thirst for victory and ability to craft a winning team.” Or as London reporter Jim van Wijk put it: “Love him or loathe him, Jose remains the Special One.”

Source: SNAPPA