def not arsene.. i think he's spent the least amount last summer and look at arsenal.
they have played amazing football, just a pity that they might not end up winning anything, but they have won admirers, and respect.
Arsene Wenger, manager of the year, without a shadow of a doubt.
Victor
· 1 year ago
I think you forgot Sir Alex, i think he deserves the title, and respect. What Manchester are proving in premier league and champions league is a result of hard work. Never mind, devils will success without your voting.
Michael
· 1 year ago
I respect Sir Alex a great deal, and Man United probably will win the league title and could win the Champions League as well.
Sorry, but he's not the manager of the year. It doesn't take a brilliant tactician to start Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player in the world, and count on a goal a game from him. It doesn't take a brilliant tactician to start Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand every game. I could pick the same exact team that Fergie picks; it's not difficult.
He picks a lineup from a team full of stars and future stars. The players are the reason Man U has done so well this season, not Fergie, at least not to much of an extent.
My manager of the year is someone who doesn't have too much to work with, gets the best out of what he has, shows some nuance and tactical savvy on the field, and knows how to develop his players and bring them along.
That guy is not Ferguson, not now. Any of us could steer Man U to a title with the talent they have.
Nevitt
· 1 year ago
I knew it Michael. This just proves how much you hate Arsenal, oh, wait... never mind, gut reaction. I kid, I kid. I think you have some good names in there. Definitely agree that although Sir Alex is great a soccer mom could have managed Man U to a great season with the way they are playing this year.
matt
· 1 year ago
who was it who signed all those stars and future stars for man u?
oh yea musta been wenger.
Michael
· 1 year ago
Wenger signed Ronaldo, Nani, Rooney, Anderson, etc..?
No, I don't think so, Matt. Wenger signs a lot of young African players from France, Ferguson has ties in Portugal and Iberia because of his assistant, Carlos Queiroz.
The Gaffer
· 1 year ago
My vote is for Alex Ferguson. Despite a team loaded with stars, it takes a ton of motivation and man-management skills to continue getting the most out of his players.
Sure, Fergie is spoiled with talent but he continues to build award-winning teams year-after-year.
Contrast his fortunes with the relative failures at Barcelona and Liverpool, two teams that come undone in different ways this season, while Man United has motored along rarely missing a beat.
Cheers, The Gaffer
Todd
· 1 year ago
gaffer is spot on. are we really suggesting sir alex ISNT a great manager because he put together too good of a team that performs too well consistently? He does rotate his squad, he does have to keep them motivated, he keeps the egos in check, he knows when giggs should play or nani. i dont know if he did the BEST job this year, but you cant only consider managers who did more with less unless you say "Manager of the Year with the least talent". hate to say it but off the mark again.
BillE Shears
· 1 year ago
Maybe Lord Ferg is too obvious, but winning the league should get you into the top five (though that isn't a sure thing.)
If it is just pure managing ability, it has to be Keane. No one else has done as much with as little talent.
Michael
· 1 year ago
I see what you both are saying, don't get me wrong, but let's not kid ourselves by saying that Ronaldo's superhuman season is what has driven Manchester United this year, not Ferguson. If his toughest choice is to play Hargreaves or Carrick, or Nani or Giggs, or Tevez or Rooney, I mean come on, it doesn't take a great manager to do that.
Yes, he is a great man-manager but he has more than any other club in the Premiership to work with. He also relies heavily on Queiroz, especially to sign players, although that aspect doesn't have any bearing on me leaving him out amongst my five "quarterfinalists".
I'm not suggesting he isn't a great manager; on the contrary, he is. Has he done a better job than any of the five I mentioned? I don't think so; remember, United are the defending champions and were expected by many to repeat. Expectations were lower for the clubs of the other managers and they've more than exceeded them.
The difference between Barcelona's talent and United's talent, for one, is Ferguson is respected far more than Rijkaard is and Man U's players are younger and haven't had time yet to become selfish and in it only for themselves like guys like Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto'o, and others.
I'm not knocking Ferguson, but he has the most talent in the league. If Man U go on to win the Champions League as well, I would reconsider not putting him on this list.
Michael
· 1 year ago
Oops, to clarify my first sentence from that last post, I meant to say "let's not kid ourselves by saying Ferguson is responsible for driving this team when in reality, Ronaldo is having a superhuman season" or something to that effect. I wrote it backwards in my last post, apologies.
Ian
· 1 year ago
It's a tough one, because Sir Alex Ferguson is probably still the best manager in the league, but it's tempting to give a vote to the one who has done the most with the least raw material, which to me is either O'Neill or Moyes. I'm biased toward Moyes, but if he manages to overcome Liverpool, which is still possible even after the derby loss, that would certainly be award-worthy.
Shazback
· 1 year ago
Hard call.
Ferguson improved on a squad that was already brilliant, and hasn't failed. He might have made some mistakes this season (vs. Citeh...), but they can be counted on one hand. Whilst his squad is brilliant, it's however not -that- much better than Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool's. Fabregas, Drogba, Torres... They were all billed to be contendants for Player of the Year, and Ronaldo's supreme season must have something to do with his man-management. Ferguson might be picking a team most people guess they could pick, but the simple thing is that he built the team. Whilst Chelsea splashed enough cash to have a £70M bench, they're still three points behind Man Utd, whom count on Fletcher, O'Shea, Piqué, Park and Kuzkckzkckak as bench players. Arsene Wenger is also a very strong contestant, with a side many predicted would find it hard to do anything as Henry left. But Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini, Adebayor and Touré proved the pundits wrong. Grant was expected to "not do very well" (at least compared to Mourinho), but he's managing to pass (he's not a tactical genius by a long shot) his first season "exam". Only Benitez is a "miss" in the "big 4". Gerrard, Mascherano, Torres, Babel, Kuyt, Carragher, Reina, Riise, Xabi Alonso... Scouse had big hopes, and he hasn't managed to live up to them.
But I agree with you that Keane has to be Manager of the year. The Black Cats haven't been the most impressive side in the league, and they've not put in the best results, but they've "done the job". Keane managed to build a squad that's solid, and even though it's full of United ex-pats, has a strong team spirit.
O'Neill has had a brilliant season, and taking such an apparently weak Villa to the UEFA Cup deserves more than a mention. He managed to get youth to blossom, and still retain the fundamentals of his style : solid midfielders and defence.
Moyes is also in there, as Everton look like they might just repeat a qualification for the CL in front of Liverpool, except he didn't cash out like Benitez did.
I don't think Ramos has done enough. He's not been bad, but honestly, Tottenham shouldn't be as low as they are. Also, letting Defoe leave has not proved to be a wise move, as he's cracking goals in under 'Arry Redknapp's command. Because Redknapp seems to me to be the big "loser" in your quarterfinals. His squad is nowhere near the place he's brought them, and he's getting the best out of his players (James, Defoe, Benjani, Diarra, Krankjar...).
1 - Keano 2 - O'Neill 3 - Moyes 4 - Redknapp 5 - Whoever finishes best between Ferguson and Wenger (Grant could win the Champions League and the League, as well as his League Cup final, he'd still not be one of the 5 best...)
Michael
· 1 year ago
Shazback, good call in Redknapp. He was 6th on this list and to be honest, without trying to give much away for tomorrow, it was a dead heat between him and Ramos for the last spot. Ramos has won the Carling Cup and led his team to a good run in the UEFA Cup, and Redknapp looks likely to win the FA Cup.
You're spot on, as I said. Redknapp has done a very good job and not including him was tough. He's blended a good squad out of players from different African nations, a few English players, and a couple guys from the continent. Portsmouth is still in with a shout for 5th place, and Redknapp is largely responsible for it. There are a lot of people, and a few of my friends especially, who don't rate him at all for some reason, saying he doesn't adjust to different formations well. Rubbish. This is a man who led Pompey out of near-certain relegation a couple years ago and has gradually moved them up the table since then. I have a lot of respect for him and what's he done.
As for people's arguments about Fergie having built this team, OK, that's fine, but most managers build their teams anyway. That's not something that I even really factor in to my decision because building a team isn't the same thing as managing a team. You build a team over a couple years in the summer and January transfer windows. You manage a team over the course of a season; if you build a good team, great, but by itself, all that means is you have a good eye for talent.
TheScout
· 1 year ago
"What’s remarkable about O’Neill is that he’s been successful with the Birmingham-based club without spending a whole lot of money"
I've seen this posted over and over on this blog and others. That's simply not true. O'Neill has spent plenty of cash...sure he's not splashing out 17m for a single player but signings like Ashley Young and Reo-Coker were not cheap either.
I think O'Neill has done a good job but lets not turn him into a miracle worker just yet. Villa are improved slightly...let's see how they finish the season and where they finish.
I do think Redknapp should have bumped O'Neill off the list as he has made more significant gains in the standings and point totals ( from 38 in 05-06 to 54 in 06-07 to 53 already this season) and Pompey are a spot above Villa in the table with a game in hand not to mention they have a good shot at winning the FA Cup.
My five would be:
1) Wenger - built a very competitive squad on a shoestring budget and only brought in one "high-priced" player.
2) Sir Alex - manages star players like no one else...you don't hear the complaints about rotation and playing time that you do at other clubs
3) Redknapp - reasons stated above
4) Keane - agree with Michael's reasoning
5) Steve Bruce for dragging Wigan out of the relegation spaces to 8 points clear of safety. If they stay there, which I think they will, he deserves some recognition for turning that squad around in such short order.
Ramos and O'Neill just miss out. O'Neill for reasons stated above. Ramos has done a decent job but Tottenham still lack consistency. Winning the league cup was nice but a squad with as much talent as they have should not get thumped 4-1 by Newcastle.
ossie's dream
· 1 year ago
Michael - good call for not doing the obvious and picking managers solely from the top five.
Agree that O'Neill and Moyes have probably done the most with the least. An ideal template for once big clubs trying to slowly, surely and sensibly rebuild.
Keane too has done a great job since taking the helm at the Makems, but he has made one or two suspect purchases (5M for Chopra?) so I think he comes behind Moyes and O'Neill who have made astute acquisitions.
Wenger is one of the country's greats, no doubt about it. But he will bitterly disappointed this year, having effectively given up the title in a matter of a few weeks. His failure to buy big, proven talent has cost Arsenal. And, as he should be judged by a higher standard than the others, the barometer by which he should be judged is silverware - and Arsenal won't win any this year.
It's too soon to judge Ramos. Great cup win and he lifted Spurs out of the relegation zone and has shown great tactical chops, something Martin Jol apparently lacked. But Spurs' form since the cup win has been indifferent. He'll rebuild in the summer, so one to revisit next year.
Moyes for manager of the year. Especially if Everton nick fourth.
Tommy
· 1 year ago
there is alot of fergie bashing here. I particularly see silly comments regarding how easy his job must be with the talent he has it his disposal. Rubbish! It takes a great manager to nurture the talent around him into a team, you could say the likes of Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson and Vidic were smaller names then when the likes of adebayor, hleb, eduardo and van persie upon being signed, The transfer fee for players going to united, chelsea, liverpool arsenal are always inflated regardless, and Fergie has turned most of the players he has bought into world class players. Picking your first 11, is one of 100 jobs that you have to do day-to-day as a manager, and through his coaching he has made this the easiest of his tasks, I don't think you can pick arsene above fergie based on the fact he has an easier job, he's made the job look easy, you can take 2 managers from such similar circumstanceand say arsene has been better this year, if he wins the premiership and the CL, he will be, but he won't. Arsene has done an amazing job at arsenal, but bringing money into the equation is just stupid, if he asked for 30m to spend on one player from the board, he could, but there's just been some shere arrogance on his part playing weakened sides against lesser teams that have led to his late season drop of form.
I think ferguie should be manager of the year, seeing how he has truned this United team- supposedly one in transition with the exiting (or ageing of) Giggs, Scholes, G.Nev, (Keano , RvN) being replaced by even better younger players.
I think Moyes has done an amzing job also, I can't speak highly enough of everton. Its too early to really read into Ramos pasricularly as there will soon be whole-sale changes (for the 10th time, Spurs will see the highest tunrover of players this summer)
And Redknapp has also done a great job in gathering points, and turning average players into a squad taht can contend
villafandan
· 1 year ago
@TheScout... if you're considering signings from last season, like ashley young, no wonder you don't appreciate how little martin o'neill has spent this campaign.
still 5 games to go and i've a feeling we'll end up with the best points haul for many years. it looks like we're about to have our best attendances for more than 50 years too. there's tons of other great things happening at villa park of which MON is an integral part.
keane spent about 40 million which looks like will be enough to avoid going back down. rumour has it he'll be spending another 50 million this summer, let's hope with that level of spend he's judged a bit more objectively next time.
according to the bbc redknapp's almost doubled the playing staff at fratton park this year sending the wage bill to more than 30 million. the club just recorded a loss of 23 million. i'm not going to mention the legal problems. still, he's reached an FA cup and has done well in the league.
All Comments
def not arsene.. i think he's spent the least amount last summer and look at arsenal.
they have played amazing football, just a pity that they might not end up winning anything, but they have won admirers, and respect.
Arsene Wenger, manager of the year, without a shadow of a doubt.
Sorry, but he's not the manager of the year. It doesn't take a brilliant tactician to start Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player in the world, and count on a goal a game from him. It doesn't take a brilliant tactician to start Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand every game. I could pick the same exact team that Fergie picks; it's not difficult.
He picks a lineup from a team full of stars and future stars. The players are the reason Man U has done so well this season, not Fergie, at least not to much of an extent.
My manager of the year is someone who doesn't have too much to work with, gets the best out of what he has, shows some nuance and tactical savvy on the field, and knows how to develop his players and bring them along.
That guy is not Ferguson, not now. Any of us could steer Man U to a title with the talent they have.
oh yea musta been wenger.
No, I don't think so, Matt. Wenger signs a lot of young African players from France, Ferguson has ties in Portugal and Iberia because of his assistant, Carlos Queiroz.
Sure, Fergie is spoiled with talent but he continues to build award-winning teams year-after-year.
Contrast his fortunes with the relative failures at Barcelona and Liverpool, two teams that come undone in different ways this season, while Man United has motored along rarely missing a beat.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
If it is just pure managing ability, it has to be Keane. No one else has done as much with as little talent.
Yes, he is a great man-manager but he has more than any other club in the Premiership to work with. He also relies heavily on Queiroz, especially to sign players, although that aspect doesn't have any bearing on me leaving him out amongst my five "quarterfinalists".
I'm not suggesting he isn't a great manager; on the contrary, he is. Has he done a better job than any of the five I mentioned? I don't think so; remember, United are the defending champions and were expected by many to repeat. Expectations were lower for the clubs of the other managers and they've more than exceeded them.
The difference between Barcelona's talent and United's talent, for one, is Ferguson is respected far more than Rijkaard is and Man U's players are younger and haven't had time yet to become selfish and in it only for themselves like guys like Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto'o, and others.
I'm not knocking Ferguson, but he has the most talent in the league. If Man U go on to win the Champions League as well, I would reconsider not putting him on this list.
Ferguson improved on a squad that was already brilliant, and hasn't failed. He might have made some mistakes this season (vs. Citeh...), but they can be counted on one hand. Whilst his squad is brilliant, it's however not -that- much better than Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool's. Fabregas, Drogba, Torres... They were all billed to be contendants for Player of the Year, and Ronaldo's supreme season must have something to do with his man-management. Ferguson might be picking a team most people guess they could pick, but the simple thing is that he built the team. Whilst Chelsea splashed enough cash to have a £70M bench, they're still three points behind Man Utd, whom count on Fletcher, O'Shea, Piqué, Park and Kuzkckzkckak as bench players. Arsene Wenger is also a very strong contestant, with a side many predicted would find it hard to do anything as Henry left. But Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini, Adebayor and Touré proved the pundits wrong. Grant was expected to "not do very well" (at least compared to Mourinho), but he's managing to pass (he's not a tactical genius by a long shot) his first season "exam". Only Benitez is a "miss" in the "big 4". Gerrard, Mascherano, Torres, Babel, Kuyt, Carragher, Reina, Riise, Xabi Alonso... Scouse had big hopes, and he hasn't managed to live up to them.
But I agree with you that Keane has to be Manager of the year. The Black Cats haven't been the most impressive side in the league, and they've not put in the best results, but they've "done the job". Keane managed to build a squad that's solid, and even though it's full of United ex-pats, has a strong team spirit.
O'Neill has had a brilliant season, and taking such an apparently weak Villa to the UEFA Cup deserves more than a mention. He managed to get youth to blossom, and still retain the fundamentals of his style : solid midfielders and defence.
Moyes is also in there, as Everton look like they might just repeat a qualification for the CL in front of Liverpool, except he didn't cash out like Benitez did.
I don't think Ramos has done enough. He's not been bad, but honestly, Tottenham shouldn't be as low as they are. Also, letting Defoe leave has not proved to be a wise move, as he's cracking goals in under 'Arry Redknapp's command. Because Redknapp seems to me to be the big "loser" in your quarterfinals. His squad is nowhere near the place he's brought them, and he's getting the best out of his players (James, Defoe, Benjani, Diarra, Krankjar...).
1 - Keano
2 - O'Neill
3 - Moyes
4 - Redknapp
5 - Whoever finishes best between Ferguson and Wenger (Grant could win the Champions League and the League, as well as his League Cup final, he'd still not be one of the 5 best...)
You're spot on, as I said. Redknapp has done a very good job and not including him was tough. He's blended a good squad out of players from different African nations, a few English players, and a couple guys from the continent. Portsmouth is still in with a shout for 5th place, and Redknapp is largely responsible for it. There are a lot of people, and a few of my friends especially, who don't rate him at all for some reason, saying he doesn't adjust to different formations well. Rubbish. This is a man who led Pompey out of near-certain relegation a couple years ago and has gradually moved them up the table since then. I have a lot of respect for him and what's he done.
As for people's arguments about Fergie having built this team, OK, that's fine, but most managers build their teams anyway. That's not something that I even really factor in to my decision because building a team isn't the same thing as managing a team. You build a team over a couple years in the summer and January transfer windows. You manage a team over the course of a season; if you build a good team, great, but by itself, all that means is you have a good eye for talent.
I've seen this posted over and over on this blog and others. That's simply not true. O'Neill has spent plenty of cash...sure he's not splashing out 17m for a single player but signings like Ashley Young and Reo-Coker were not cheap either.
I think O'Neill has done a good job but lets not turn him into a miracle worker just yet. Villa are improved slightly...let's see how they finish the season and where they finish.
I do think Redknapp should have bumped O'Neill off the list as he has made more significant gains in the standings and point totals ( from 38 in 05-06 to 54 in 06-07 to 53 already this season) and Pompey are a spot above Villa in the table with a game in hand not to mention they have a good shot at winning the FA Cup.
My five would be:
1) Wenger - built a very competitive squad on a shoestring budget and only brought in one "high-priced" player.
2) Sir Alex - manages star players like no one else...you don't hear the complaints about rotation and playing time that you do at other clubs
3) Redknapp - reasons stated above
4) Keane - agree with Michael's reasoning
5) Steve Bruce for dragging Wigan out of the relegation spaces to 8 points clear of safety. If they stay there, which I think they will, he deserves some recognition for turning that squad around in such short order.
Ramos and O'Neill just miss out. O'Neill for reasons stated above. Ramos has done a decent job but Tottenham still lack consistency. Winning the league cup was nice but a squad with as much talent as they have should not get thumped 4-1 by Newcastle.
Agree that O'Neill and Moyes have probably done the most with the least. An ideal template for once big clubs trying to slowly, surely and sensibly rebuild.
Keane too has done a great job since taking the helm at the Makems, but he has made one or two suspect purchases (5M for Chopra?) so I think he comes behind Moyes and O'Neill who have made astute acquisitions.
Wenger is one of the country's greats, no doubt about it. But he will bitterly disappointed this year, having effectively given up the title in a matter of a few weeks. His failure to buy big, proven talent has cost Arsenal. And, as he should be judged by a higher standard than the others, the barometer by which he should be judged is silverware - and Arsenal won't win any this year.
It's too soon to judge Ramos. Great cup win and he lifted Spurs out of the relegation zone and has shown great tactical chops, something Martin Jol apparently lacked. But Spurs' form since the cup win has been indifferent. He'll rebuild in the summer, so one to revisit next year.
Moyes for manager of the year. Especially if Everton nick fourth.
Picking your first 11, is one of 100 jobs that you have to do day-to-day as a manager, and through his coaching he has made this the easiest of his tasks,
I don't think you can pick arsene above fergie based on the fact he has an easier job, he's made the job look easy, you can take 2 managers from such similar circumstanceand say arsene has been better this year, if he wins the premiership and the CL, he will be, but he won't.
Arsene has done an amazing job at arsenal, but bringing money into the equation is just stupid, if he asked for 30m to spend on one player from the board, he could, but there's just been some shere arrogance on his part playing weakened sides against lesser teams that have led to his late season drop of form.
I think ferguie should be manager of the year, seeing how he has truned this United team- supposedly one in transition with the exiting (or ageing of) Giggs, Scholes, G.Nev, (Keano , RvN) being replaced by even better younger players.
I think Moyes has done an amzing job also, I can't speak highly enough of everton.
Its too early to really read into Ramos pasricularly as there will soon be whole-sale changes (for the 10th time, Spurs will see the highest tunrover of players this summer)
And Redknapp has also done a great job in gathering points, and turning average players into a squad taht can contend
still 5 games to go and i've a feeling we'll end up with the best points haul for many years. it looks like we're about to have our best attendances for more than 50 years too. there's tons of other great things happening at villa park of which MON is an integral part.
keane spent about 40 million which looks like will be enough to avoid going back down. rumour has it he'll be spending another 50 million this summer, let's hope with that level of spend he's judged a bit more objectively next time.
according to the bbc redknapp's almost doubled the playing staff at fratton park this year sending the wage bill to more than 30 million. the club just recorded a loss of 23 million. i'm not going to mention the legal problems. still, he's reached an FA cup and has done well in the league.