Brentford boss Thomas Frank has weighed in on one of football’s biggest debates — who is the greatest manager of all time? His answer may surprise some Manchester United fans.
Appearing on Sky Sports’ Sticker Book challenge, Frank was tasked with choosing between managerial greats: Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff, and Carlo Ancelotti.
In his response, Frank paid respect to Ferguson’s unmatched legacy at Manchester United, calling it “one of the greatest stories of a manager at one club,” and highlighting the sheer number of titles he won during his 27-year reign.
But when it came down to the final decision, the Brentford boss chose Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, citing his innovative influence on coaching and tactics.
“I think he is the single coach that has inspired the most coaches,” Frank said. “His innovative way of thinking – how you build up, how you press, how you defend, how you do basically anything. I think he’s the best.”
Frank narrowed it down to Ferguson and Guardiola and ultimately sided with the man in Manchester City blue:
“I’ll go with the ‘coach’ coach, because I’m more a coach myself.”
Guardiola’s tactical philosophy and global impact have clearly left a lasting impression not just on the game, but also on fellow managers. While Ferguson remains a symbol of sustained success, Guardiola’s footballing evolution is influencing a new generation.
And how do their records stack up?
| Manager | Club | Games Managed | Wins | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pep Guardiola | Manchester City | 460 | 333 | 72.4% |
| Sir Alex Ferguson | Manchester United | 1500 | 895 | 59.7% |
Is Thomas Frank right to pick Guardiola over Ferguson? Or does Sir Alex’s longevity and trophy haul still put him on top? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 17 Apr 2025 21:35
He's just in love.
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