Top 10 Best English Managers in Football - 2025 (Ranked)

As the world of football is growing, English managers are making their mark on the international level, showcasing competitiveness and a blend of tactical and managerial skills. This listing best English managers, celebrates those who have risen above challenges, blending conventional strategies with a modern approach to leave a lasting impact. From Premier League triumphs to international success, these coaches are redefining what it means to be an English manager in today’s game.

Right from Newcastle United’s long-term manager, Eddie Howe, to the likes of Sean Dyche and ex-England coach Gareth Southgate, who have been around for years, English football today has some of the best managers in the world on offer. This article examines who the are best English football managers, based on the work, stats and figures. We will first deal with the selection factors that have been used to create this list of best current English managers, with each name representing a unique story.

List of Best Current English Managers

As the football world watches closely, these managers are not just shaping their teams but also the English coaching scenario. From gritty survival specialists to visionary tacticians, the countdown is on to discover who stands at the pinnacle of this list of the best English managers currently in 2025.

How We Ranked the Best English Football Managers in 2025?

Here are the vital ranking factors that we have considered while ensuring the names of the best English football managers. These ranking criteria include trophies won, impact on the team and players, and win ratio.

• Trophies Won: The primary factor we considered while ranking these managers on our list of best English managers currently was the trophies won by them. Trophies or achievements play a key role in identifying and filtering the best from the rest.
• Impact on Team Players: The second parameter that was considered while compiling this list of the best current English managers was their impact on teams, players, and their influence in getting the best out of them.

• Win Ratio %: The third ranking factor while making this list of the best English managers was the win ratio of these managers for their respective teams. Those manager currently not working; their recent jobs' win ratio will be considered

  Note: Stats were taken from Transfermarkt to calculate the win ratios of these managers.

Who are the Best English Managers Now?

Although there have been numerous managers hailing from England to have worked with some of the well-known teams, only a few have etched their names in the annals of football, while some have gone lost in history. Let's not waste any more time and take a look at the best English managers in 2025 (In no particular ranking or order).

Gary O’Neil (42)

The London-born Gary O’Neil has proven his worth as a manager who was able to promote AFC Bournemouth first, which itself was a hard task, and with Wolverhampton Wolves, he managed to keep the club in the Premier League despite constantly struggling with finances. The Wolves initially struggled this season, but they are now out of the relegation zone and have another season to prove themselves.

The former Wolverhampton boss turned his side into a strong defensive side earlier, which was well capable of handling teams like English giants Manchester City and Liverpool with a winning mentality, and not with a survival mentality. With a 25% win ratio, O’Neil’s overachievement in the Premier League earns him a high ranking. He lacks trophies, but his pragmatic approach keeps him ahead of Robins. He is currently without a club since leaving Wolves in December 2024.

Kieran McKenna (39)

The Northern Irish and English manager Kieran McKenna has done something that many managers aspire to achieve with Ipswich Town, a small club from Ipswich, Suffolk. Leading the club to make history by getting promoted to the top division of English football in the 2024-25 season. His first Premier League season was quite challenging against the biggest clubs in the nation.

McKenna's attacking philosophy has earned widespread praise; in other words, the team does not like to sit back and defend rather tries to make attacks. Unfortunately, Ipswich will be relegated at the end of the season to EFL Championship. The manager’s aggressive mentality is visible as he goes for the win every time, whether it’s a mid-table team or a top-table team. This marks his place in our list of top English managers currently.

Rob Edwards (42)

The ex-Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has been handed the status of “Legend” by the fans of Luton Town for his outstanding spell at the club. He took a non-league team to the Premier League between 2014-2024. But unfortunately, they went back to the second division, focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacking play. His man-management has united a squad with limited resources, earning Luton respect in the Premier League.

Rob Edwards, with his 33.33% reflects his overachievement with Luton, which is very impressive if you look from a neutral fan perspective. While he has no major trophies, his journey from non-league to the Premier League highlights his managerial skills. Edwards in currently at the helm of Middlesbrough as their head coach. For the hatters, he had managed over 100 games from the sidelines and earned shouts as best English managers.

7. Sean Dyche (54)

One of the best English managers with a huge reputation is Sean Dyche, who should be nicknamed a survival expert. He helped his former team, Liverpool-based club Everton, to stay in the Premier League in recent seasons, giving the players an additional boost to perform and do something unexpected in the first division of English football. Navigating through points deductions and financial turmoil till early 2025. The Toffees went through a challenging takeover period to ensure their top-flight status.

Dyche has been brought in as a survival expert by multiple teams in the past. Who does not remember his expert job in keeping Burnley in the league a couple of years ago? Dyche likes his team to play in a low block, relying largely on counterattacks. That, of course, is also down to how Dyche has largely managed minnows during his entire career. Experience of managing nearly 600 games and winning the EFL Championship trophy reflects his standard. However, the Englishman is currently on break since leaving the Merseyside club.

6. Graham Potter (50)

A ‘Potter head' will never forget his stint with Brighton Hove Albion, and his reputation as a tactical innovator remains strong. Potter has earned high praise from stalwarts such as Pep Guardiola, but may need a resurgence in the coming time. He emphasises possession, positional play, and versatility. His ability to improve players and implement a progressive style has made him a sought-after manager. However, the ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter is currently out of work.

Despite a 39.47% win ratio, no major trophies and a few struggling spells at West Ham and Chelsea. Potter’s tactical influence and potential for future roles place him high. His Brighton legacy outweighs the lack of silverware. Even though the manager has struggled in recent seasons, he remains one of the best English football managers. The English manager was relieved from his job at West Ham United after a poor performance.

Mark Robins (55)

Up next on the list, we have Stoke City boss Mark Robins, who has done some impossible things in the past few seasons, led Coventry to the Championship play-offs multiple times and nearly reached the FA Cup final in 2024 after a dramatic semi-final against English giants Manchester United. In 2025, he’s pushing for promotion again, and this time, he looks promising with Stoke City F.C. He is kind of a balanced manager who focuses on defence as well as on the attack.

Mark Robins coached 387 games for Coventry City and developed players like Viktor Gyokeres, and his ability to overachieve with limited resources makes him one of the best English managers. A 45% win ratio reflects his steady success with Stoke City. While Robins has won two lower league titles, his longevity and impact at Coventry place him alongside Dyche; regardless of his league level means he deserves to be called as best English managers.

Michael Carrick (44)

Gained managerial experience under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Jose Mourinho during their time at Manchester United as an assistant. Michael Carrick took over Middlesbrough in 2022, turning them from relegation candidates into play-off contenders in his first season. By 2025, he was pushing for another play-off spot, having also reached the League Cup semi-finals in 2023-24. However, after managing 136 games, he stepped down from the post in June 2025.

This stat was enough to prove that he deserved to be on the list of the best English managers now. Carrik's calm behaviour and focus on youth development to create a homegrown team have reimagined the English side Middlesbrough, making them a competitive Championship side. With Carrick in charge, fans have hopes that their side will make it into the top tier. As a player, he has substantial experience playing at the top of English football.

Will Still (32)

Currently in charge of Southampton in the English second division, and born in Belgium but of English descent. Will Still made waves in the French Ligue 1 with Reims and RC Lens, first with an 18-match unbeaten run at Reims in 2022-23. He is now overseeing he operations of Southampton in 2025. Still's international success highlights the growing global influence of English coaches. His never-give-up attitude makes him one of the best English football managers.

The former Stade Reims manager focuses more on high-pressure games and quick transitions from behind. His ability to overachieve with mid-tier clubs has earned him a strong reputation. He is classified alongside Rob Edwards due to his 52.70% win ratio and his international stint, which ranks him above Edwards. While he lacks trophies, his impact in Ligue 1 and potential for bigger roles make him a standout English manager.

Gareth Southgate (54)

One of the best English managers under his tenure as the coach of the England national team, he has done a phenomenal job with the Three Lions. Unfortunately, he failed to break the curse of England winning a major trophy, despite reaching two consecutive European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024, and a 2018 World Cup semi-final. The best run for England after the 1960s. In terms of club coaching, he has managed 151 games for Middlesbrough.

Gareth Southgate prioritised defensive stability while fostering a strong team culture. His emphasis on youth development and mental preparation revitalised England’s international standing. Despite his lack of recent club experience and no major trophies, he stands tall as best English managers currently. After losing the final of the 2024 European Championship, he stepped down from his post as England coach

Eddie Howe (47)

The Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, has done something exceptional with the Magpies by making their return to the regular UEFA Champions League. And guiding them to lift the Carabao Cup and a trophy for Newcastle after a long wait, beating Liverpool in the final. The first major trophy won by an English manager since 2008. Since taking over in 2021, he’s transformed Newcastle United from relegation candidates into a European contender.

The former Bournemouth manager, Howe, is showcasing his ability to manage a high-pressure, well-funded club. With a 60% win ratio and a major trophy, Howe stands out among English managers. His success in the Premier League, where he’s the only English manager to win a major honour recently, cements his top spot. His focus on player development and team cohesion has elevated the Newcastle United squad, making them a consistent top-six side in the Premier League.