According to Sky Bet’s Hope Fan survey, Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the Premier league (assuming every club had the same budget and players).
Fans from all twenty Premier League teams were asked who they thought was the best manager in the top flight, as well as a number of other topics, including the best stadium atmosphere and the worst run clubs as part of the survey.
The Man City boss received 23% of the votes and was clear of any other rival. Last year was a season to remember for the Catalonian as he finally managed to win a European trophy with the Manchester side. This also capped off an incredible treble-winning season which ultimately grew the gap between Pep and his Premier League rivals.
Jurgen Klopp came second with 13% of the votes even after a somewhat unsuccessful season with Liverpool last season which ended in them only getting a Europa League spot. Liverpool last won the Premier League title in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019, however those victories haven’t been forgotten by fans who voted the German second.
Englishman Eddie Howe came third, with 9% of the vote. After leading Bournemouth from League Two to the promise land (with a brief spell at Burnley in between), the 45-year-old moved to Newcastle under new owners. Howe led the Toon Army to a top four spot last season meaning the Magpies will be playing Champions League football for the first time since 2003.
After coming close to leading Arsenal to the Premier League title and getting the Gunners Champions League football for the first time since 2016, Mikel Arteta was voted in sixth place and received the same percentage of votes as Luton Town manager, Rob Edwards.
Alongside Guardiola, Klopp and Howe, Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi and Roy Hodgson all ranked higher than the Spaniard in the fan’s eyes.
There’s no denying the job Thomas Frank has done with Brentford and with De Zerbi clinching a European spot with the Seagulls, it’s clear to see why fans rate them so highly. Roy Hodgson’s job at Crystal Palace last season didn’t go unnoticed with 4% of fans surveyed saying he was pound for pound the best manager.
In unlucky 13th place was Man United boss Erik ten Hag. Even after winning silverware in his first season, fans still rate him lower than the likes of Steve Cooper, Vincent Kompany and David Moyes.
Whilst Mauricio Pochettino was ranked in 17th, it’s interesting to see that 14% of the Spurs fans surveyed voted the Argentine as the best, that’s a higher percentage than any other team. Only 3% of Chelsea fans voted for their new manager in the top spot.
Thousands of fans across the country have given their opinion about the new Premier League season including which team they want to see struggle and what stadium has the best atmosphere.
See the full Sky Bet Fan Hope survey results here
Thomas Thorn