rhianjoseph recently posted “How do you rate players?” which I thought was a really good question as it is so open to personal opinion and I thought I would add to that by asking the same question for the managers. How do you rate a team manager/coach? Can you simply base judgement on win ratios, silverware and transfers? Is a manager who wins a league, bankrolled by multiple millions, better than one who saves a team from relegation?
On a slight tangent....
As a fair weather Liverpool fan, I sometimes wonder about having Benitez at the reigns; I ask the questions above, and use Benitez as an example. Most will be aware that Benitez recently scalped Parry in back room power struggle (assumingly based on transfer policy and possibly ego) and this, if I am being completely honest, scares the crap out of me. In context to the set question, Benitez like his predecessor, Houllier, is tactically brilliant (perhaps the best). His win ratio is up there with the likes of Ferguson and Wenger and his personal ‘man to man’ managing skills, while nothing in comparison to those of Redknapp and Allardyce, still seem ok as he generally gets the best out if the players he has at his disposal. The main questions are raised when it comes to transfers and overall strategy. I think Benitez still has to prove himself in the transfer market and then once the players have been bought, make far better use of the talent available (maybe cut down on rotating the squad unless absolutely necessary etc.). Benitez has the potential to captain Liverpool to further glory and be a truly great manager but the future transfers he makes could, much like Houllier, scuttle his ship and submerge him in to the depths mediocrity Neil Jones’ blog sums it up quite nicely!
http://soccerlens.com/rafael-benitez-is-king-of-anfield-till-2014-but-will-liverpool-sign-the-right-players/24503/
Back to the main question...
I (personally) think a manager should be judged on impact his reign had on the club and what positives can be drawn from that period. I don’t think win ratio or silverware matters as much so long as the club is better for the manager being in power. I would rather have someone Allardyce or Redknapp or Curbishley at the helm bringing slow, gradual and consistent improvement than someone like Juande Ramos* or David O'Leary** – quick fix managers who did well initially but spent loads and arguably left the teams they managed a lot worse off. (not sure about Sven GE jury still out on him)
*(Tottenham fans... Was it really worth it for all that money and one ‘ickle’ bit of silver?)
**(Leeds fans... Was experiencing life in the UCL worth all that money and the heart ache to follow??? – I know you can’t blame O'Leary directly for this but he did have a part in it; his inital success did not come without repercussions and could he have done what he did without Ridsdale’s funding plans? Was it worth it?).
--- Will Benitez and his regime be worth the money?????? ---
My top 5 EPL managers based on recent seasons last 5 years or so
1.Ferguson – absolutely hate the guy, the club, the arrogance and the mind games but his record is unquestionable and extremely hard to fault. Started off slow, gradual and consistent and now reaps the benefits!
2.Wenger – Sheer class. Brilliant manager. Best eye for the transfer market???
3.Redknapp – Has benefitted every team he has managed - even Soton!! He did all he could 
4.Bruce – Worked wonders with Palace and City and now Wigan – Good now – future great.
5.Benitez – I’m totally biased and had to put him in the list. Winning the UCL was still damn impressive and so is that European win ratio – look out Paisley and Fagan!!
Special mention to Roy Hodgson, David Moyes and Sam Allardyce.
What makes a great manager? How do you rate them?
