The FIVE Foreign Managers Who Have Managed The Most Premier League Teams

Content Editor

3 years ago

Categories: Galleries, Managers, West Ham United News

Tags: Arsenal, aston villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Southampton, Spurs, West Ham, Wolves

Overseas head coaches have become a common sight in English football over the past thirty years, with many taking up the most prestigious roles at high-profile teams.

In fact, some of them have gone on to have long spells in charge, as well as picking up a large number of trophies during their time in this country.

This list comprises of a number of names that will be very familiar to those who have watched football in England over the past few decades.

Press the next page as we name the five coaches who have managed the most Premier League clubs.

Marco Silva – Three

The Portuguese manager arrived on these shores as a relative unknown, despite having won the Greek Super League title with Olympiakos. However, he impressed during a short stint at Hull City, although he couldn’t stop them from being relegated.

It was enough to convince Watford to take a chance on him, though, but after being linked with the Everton job, he was sacked by the Hornets, who cited interest from a “Premier League rival” in their decision to fire him. Silva eventually took over at Goodison Park at the end of the 2017/18 season but he lasted just a year and a half before he was given his marching orders with the Toffees in 18th place.

Claudio Ranieri – Three

The Italian spent four years at Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, but he was sacked even though he finished second and reached the Champions League semi-finals. His next stint in England was his unforgettable spell in charge of Leicester.

Despite starting the 2015/16 season as favourites for relegation, the Foxes defied expectations by winning the league title. He was sacked the following campaign, with the team just one point off the drop zone. Ranieri did spend a brief time in charge of Fulham, when he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as head coach in 2018, but he was unable to turn things around at the Cottagers and he left just three and a half months after taking the helm.

Avram Grant – Three

The Israeli replaced Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in September 2007. He was a close friend of Roman Abramovich and many didn’t think he was up to the job. However, he guided the Blues to their first Champions League final in his only season in charge.

Grant also had a similarly successful spell at Portsmouth, guiding them to the FA Cup final in 2010, coincidentally losing against Chelsea at Wembley before he left Fratton Park. His third spell in the Premier League was, though, a disaster as he oversaw West Ham’s relegation to the Championship in 2011.

Jose Mourinho – Three

Technically, the Portuguese manager has had four spells managing in the Premier League but two were at the same club. He was very successful during both stints at Chelsea, winning three Premier League titles and eight major trophies in total.

Mourinho was then appointed Manchester United manager in 2016. He had a successful first season at Old Trafford, winning the League Cup and Europa League, but he failed to build on that start, finishing second during the 2017/2018 campaign before being sacked. He was even less successful at Tottenham where he lasted only 15 months, winning no trophies.

Rafa Benitez – Four

The Spaniard spent six years at Liverpool, famously winning the Champions League in 2005 and lifting the FA Cup in 2006. He was then, controversially, appointed interim boss at Chelsea during the 2012/13 season, but he still won the Europa League.

Benitez made a surprise move to Newcastle in 2016, staying in charge despite the Magpies being relegated to the Championship. He got them back to the top flight at the first time of asking, going on to secure two midtable finishes in subsequent campaigns. He has now been appointed Everton head coach ahead of the 2021/22 season.