Top 10 Highest Spending Football Managers in EPL History (Ranked)

In the past few decades, modern football has seen an overflow of money after the injection of substantial wealth and investments. The English Premier League leads the way in terms of hefty expenditure and multi-million transfers. From some of the highest spending clubs, to highest spending football managers and players with significant market value – English top flight is a complete package.

English clubs generate substantial revenue by several means and spend heavily on transfers and player acquisitions. While the ‘Big 6’ are expectedly to spend big money in the transfer market but other clubs have also spent a good amount in recent years, with increasing competition. There have been many managers who have benefited immensely from their clubs’ spending powers, the most popular name being Pep Guardiola himself.

Some of the best Premier League managers have consistently broken transfer records, demonstrating the financial backing required to compete at the highest level, delivering varied degrees of success. We have picked the top 10 list of the highest spending managers in the history of the Premier League.

Highest Spending Premier League Managers (All Time List)

Ever since its inception, the English Premier League has been the pioneer of league football. World-class managers, elite players, and top clubs with massive fanbase, popularity and revenue accumulation. Here's the list of the highest spending managers in football history.

Who are the highest Spending Managers in Premier League History?

The Premier League era has witnessed extraordinary transfer spending, with several managers spending records that exceed £1 billion across their careers.

10. Sir Alex Ferguson (€773m)

We flag off the list of highest spending Premier League managers with legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in history. The Scotsman steered the Red Devils to lift a staggering 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 EFL Cups and 10 Community Shields, displaying a sheer domination in English football and in Europe with 2 UEFA Champions League titles.

Ferguson was at the helm of Manchester United for 26 years and spent nearly €773 million on transfers, bringing in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane. In response, those signing helped Manchester United claim 33 titles under his regime.

During his time, He signed many young players, promoted players from the academy. Dimitar Berbatov was the most expensive SAF transfer for £31 million. SAF became one of the most decorated managers in football.

9. Nuno Espírito Santo (€790m)

In 2017, the renowned Portuguese tactician Nuno Espirito Santo arrived in England, taking charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers, and led them to promotion in the top division. Since then, Nuno has managed several clubs in the Premier League, Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham United at present. He has surpassed SAF in terms of the highest spending football managers in the EPL, spending nearly 800 million euros in transfers.

The 51-year-old boss brought a host of players during his tenure with the Tricky Trees, including English attacking midfielder Omari Hutchinson was the most expensive buy. Santo's transformational job at the City Ground has been remarkable, guiding Wolves and Nottingham Forest to secure their best-ever Premier League finish. The ex-Al Ittihad manager has shifted his transfer policy as per the club's requirements, but has mainly focused on the recruitment of promising talents.

8. Mauricio Pochettino (€947m)

The former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has spent over €947 million on player transfers across his two spells in the Premier League. The Argentine manager has managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea during his stay as a head coach in England. It was Pochettino who signed the Ecuadorian star Moises Caicedo on a record-breaking €116 million, Cole Palmer, Romio Lavia at Chelsea and Tanguy Ndombélé at Spurs.

Mouricio's transfer policy reflects his strategic approach to building young, dynamic teams capable of competing at the highest level. With adequate financial backing, he made some of the biggest signings during his spell at Chelsea and Tottenham. The current USA men's national team coach was in charge of nearly 300 Premier League matches and recorded 150 victories with 1.77 points per game.

7. Jurgen Klopp (€949m)

One of the highest spending football managers, Jurgen Klopp, comes in at 7th position after a spending spree that cost Liverpool a substantial €949m. The German boss narrowly surpasses Porchettinho in terms of the highest spending managers in the English top flight, with his influential work as a head coach. He helped the Reds to reclaim their long-lost glory and competitiveness to challenge for titles.

After a commendable stint in Merseyside managing Liverpool, Klopp announced his farewell in the summer of 2024, ending his majestic nine-year stint. Klopp's most expensive signings were Darwin Nunez €85m, and Virgil van Dijk €84.65m; the latter one developed into their best player. The former Dortmund manager, guided Liverpool to claim the English Premier League after a 30-year title drought.

6. Arsene Wenger (€954m)

The French tactician Arsene Wenger is lauded as the greatest Arsenal manager, dedicating 22 years to the North London giants as their boss. In 1996, he arrived in the English capital to take charge of the Gunners and led them to clinch three Premier League titles. Wenger created a big legacy with the London giants Arsenal, splashing €954 million on the arrival of 84 players and became one of the highest spending football managers.

The Frenchman won numerous trophies with them, including the famous ‘Invincibles’ Premier League title in the 2003-04 season. Similar to SAF, he was from an era where transfer fees weren’t that high, but his longevity means the number of players amounts to a big total. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 was his highest transfer spend on a player by Arsene Wenger.

5. David Moyes (€960m)

The Scottish manager David Moyes has been in charge of several top division English clubs throughout his managerial career. He started from a lengthy stay at Everton, managing over 500 matches for the Merseyside giants. Moyes then landed a job as Manchester United boss for a year. However, his time at West Ham United was quite a success, as the Hammers lifted their first major European title, the UEFA Europa Conference League, in the 2022-23 season.

The 62-year-old manager is still active in the Premier League, saving Everton from a relegation scare. Moyes has revived the Toffees, improving their results in the league. Over the years, he has utilised €960 million in the transfer market. Juan Mata at Man United (€44m) and Mohammed Kudus (€43m) at West Ham United are two of the top-most expensive arrivals under his management. We have reached halfway through the list of highest spending football managers.

4. Eddie Howe (€1.06bn)

The Newcastle United boss manager Eddie Howe, is cherished by the Magpies for his immense contributions and notable success he brought at St James' Park. After the Saudi Arabian company Public Investment Fund (PIF) secured the majority of shares, the club has injected a hefty amount in transfers under Eddie Howe. As a result, Howe became one of highest spending football managers for splashing over €1.06bn on signings.

The Magpies have spent loads on players, with Aleksandar Isak’s signing from Real Sociedad in August 2022 being their club record at €77 million. Nick Woltemade's arrival on €75 million, followed by Anthony Elanga and Sandro Tonali. These multi-million transfers definitely helped Newcastle as they qualified for the UEFA Champions League and restored their status as an elite club. Therefore, Howe achieves a place in the list of highest spending managers in football history.

3. Mikel Arteta (€1.09bn)

Arsenal's era of dominance ended after Arsene Wenger left the North London club, struggled with their signings and on-pitch performances. After a brief development phase under Unai Emery, Mikel Arteta took the charge of Arsenal as head coach in 2019. Notably, this was his first major project as manager after working as Pep Guardiola's assistant manager at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019. The 43-year-old has done wonders for the dejected Arsenal side.

Since his arrival, the Spaniard has spent €1.09bn in squad reinforcements over the years. Without a doubt, these substantial outlays have helped him build one of the strongest sides in the world. Arteta's Arsenal are challenging for league titles, emerging as favourites in the UEFA Champions League. If things go well, the Gunners should be lifting the 2025-26 EPL title. He is regarded as one of the best head coaches in the world and the 3rd highest spending football managers.

2. Jose Mourinho (€1.34bn)

The next manager on the list of highest spending Premier League managers is the "Special One", Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese sensation took his first Premier League job in 2004, signing for Chelsea as head coach on the back of a historic campaign with Porto FC. In total, Mourinho has worked with three English clubs: West London club Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, in the same order.

He had immense success with the Blues, winning three Premier League titles over two different spells. The ex-Real Madrid boss built an incredible team at Stamford Bridge, spending overall €1.34 billion on new signings throughout his Premier League stay, managing several clubs. While at Manchester United, Jose signed Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016 for €105million and Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who were his most expensive signings.

1. Pep Guardiola (€2.03bn)

We’ve reached the two billion mark now, and who else but Man City boss Pep Guardiola to be in this category? The Spaniard has had immense success at every club he’s managed, and his Manchester City chapter is no different, with six Premier League titles, Champions League, and numerous domestic silverware, which are a testament to his quality work as a manager. Guardiola led Sky Blues to lift a record four consecutive titles between 2020 and 2024, while assembling a stellar squad full of superstars, proven talents, and promising youth talents.

He is the first-ever manager to splash €2.03 billion on transfers; standout names were Jack Grealish (€117.50m) from Aston Villa, Josco Gvardiol (€90.00m) from RB Leipzig, Omar Marmoush €75m from Frankfurt are Pep's biggest signings at Eithad till now. The Spain manager's transfer strategy emphasises acquiring young, technically gifted players who can develop within his tactical system while providing immediate quality and leadership.