The Premier League’s ever-increasing finances means managers have never been under as much pressure to gain instant results, with club’s perhaps quicker than ever to push the panic button during poor periods.
Managers are often the first to fall victim when changes need to be made, and the days of managerial dynasties now seem a thing of the distant past.
We’ve decided to look back at some of those who survived the managerial merry-go-round to enjoy sustained periods of success in Premier League dugouts, here are the five longest managerial reigns in the division’s history…
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City (July 2016 – present)
Pep Guardiola sneaks in at number five, edging out Joe Kinnear’s time at Wimbledon and Harry Redknapp’s seven-year stint at West Ham.
Guardiola was the dream appointment for an ambitious Manchester City side, arriving with a back catalogue of major trophies and only enhancing his reputation at the Etihad. A revolutionary, Guardiola’s time in charge of the Citizens has seen his team emerge as England’s dominant force, winning five titles in the last six seasons and breaking a host of records.
His team were the first to reach 100 points in a Premier League campaign (2017/18), the first to win an English domestic treble (2018/19) and matched Manchester United’s continental treble-winning feat (2022/23).
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool (October 2015 – present)
Jurgen Klopp will call time on his Liverpool career in the summer after almost nine years in charge of the Reds.
The charismatic German arrived as a replacement for Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 and declared himself the ‘Normal One’ on arrival. There has been little normal about his impact, however, as Klopp has cemented himself into a Liverpool legend.
“The 11 players who start love me, the seven on the bench maybe like me, the others hate me for this weekend.”
Jurgen Klopp discusses his relationship with his players and why respect is so important to him in building successful squads 🧠🔻 pic.twitter.com/6KRbmFojCE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2023
His eight seasons have seen Liverpool win a host of honours, including the 2019 Champions League and a drought-breaking Premier League crown, as the Merseysiders were crowned champions for the first time in three decades.
David Moyes, Everton (March 2002-May 2013)
One of just three managers to have spent over a decade with one club at Premier League level, Moyes was appointed as Everton manager in 2002 after an impressive stint in charge of Preston North End.
Having guided the club away from relegation worries during his first months in charge, Moyes began to exert his influence on Merseyside and a series of shrewd investments turned the club into challengers near the top of the division.
Bargain signings such as Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta helped the club secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification in 2005. Although the Toffees failed to reach the UCL group stages after losing to Villarreal in the qualifiers, Moyes’ remarkable consistency on a shoestring budget delivered eight top-seven finishes in his 11 full seasons in charge.
An ill-fated move to Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor dented his reputation, before spells at Sunderland and Real Sociedad. He is currently in his second spell at West Ham, where he led the Irons to a first major trophy in 43 years with Europa Conference League success in 2023.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United (August 1992-May 2013)
The greatest manager in Premier League history, Ferguson laid the foundations of his Manchester United revival prior to the rebranding of English football’s top flight, before embarking on a period of dominance that would last for two decades.
Having ended the club’s 26-year wait for a league title in the inaugural season of the Premier League, United won a further 12 championships under Ferguson’s stewardship to eclipse arch-rivals Liverpool for the most top-flight title wins.
Ferguson had spoken of his ambition to knock the Merseyside club ‘right off their f****** perch’, and he succeeded in some style, retiring in 2013 in typical fashion – with the Premier League trophy in his hands.
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal (October 1996-May 2018)
The Premier League’s longest managerial reign came to an end in 2018, as Arsene Wenger stepped down from his position as Arsenal manager following a career in north London that spanned 22 years.
Few had heard of the Frenchman upon his arrival from Japanese football, but his innovative methods and focus on sports science quickly transformed the Gunners’ fortunes. Wenger lifted two domestic doubles and secured a third league title with a famous unbeaten season in 2003/04.
Success proved harder to deliver in his latter years as the club counted the cost of their move to the Emirates Stadium, though he still managed to deliver silverware in the form of three FA Cups between 2014 and 2017, whilst also maintaining the club’s position as Champions League regulars with a succession of top-four finishes.
Arsenal chose to move in a different direction as Wenger stepped down at the end of the 2017/18 season, with his record for the Premier League’s longest-ever managerial reign unlikely to be beaten.
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Read Also – Five of Jurgen Klopp’s greatest managerial wins