Arsene Wenger clinched his fourteenth manager of the month award at the start of April, after his Arsenal side boasted a perfect record from their four matches in March. While the Frenchman’s haul of awards since he moved to the club in 1996 is impressive, it is nearly half the total of his great adversary, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Despite the two greatest bosses of the Premier League era leading the way, winning manager of the month doesn’t necessarily bring success. For example, he may won the top flight twice – and well on course to add to that total this season – but Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho fails to make the list, winning the award three times.
Incredibly, Joe Kinnear has won the prize more often than the Special One, and therefore stands alongside Carlo Ancelotti, and Roy Hodgson.
So here’s the bosses that tied for tenth place or better in the list compiled by the Daily Mail:
4 = Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Roy Hodgson (Blackburn, Fulham), Joe Kinnear (Wimbledon), Gordon Strachan (Coventry, Southampton)
Despite enjoying an unhappy time at St James’ Park, Joe Kinnear’s work at Wimbledon means that he joins two international bosses, and the current Real Madrid manager on the list.
5 = Kevin Keegan (Newcastle)
When Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle in 2008, it was hoped he could ignite the side in the same way he had done in the mid-nineties, when they came so close to clinching the Premier League title. However, he failed to add the five accolades he had already won before his first resignation in 1997.
6 = Sam Allardyce (Bolton, West Ham), Rafael Benitez (Liverpool, Chelsea), Sir Bobby Robson (Newcastle)
Sam Allardyce’s style of football is much maligned but the West Ham boss has won on the same number of occasions as two of the managerial greats of European football.
Sir Bobby Robson’s stint at one of Allardyce’s former clubs, Newcastle, helped take the Magpies into the Champions League, so it’s no surprise to see him win the award six times.
8 = Martin O’Neill (Leicester, Aston Villa, Sunderland), Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham)
Martin O’Neill transformed Filbert Street into a regular Premier League ground, and guided the Foxes into Europe – admittedly through League Cup success. He also transformed Aston Villa into an exciting and dynamic force that often took points from the main players in the title race, and once again competed on the continent.
Harry Redknapp guided Tottenham into the Champions League in 2010, as well as leading Portsmouth to FA Cup triumph in 2008. He even received the award once during his unsuccessful brief spell at Southampton, where they were relegated for the first time in nearly thirty years.
10 = David Moyes (Everton)
The Chosen One is rebuilding his career away from the Premier League, after a torrid time at Manchester United. But his efforts at Everton are only now being remembered as his successor at Goodison Park, Roberto Martinez continues to struggle. He was named manager of the month on ten occasions during his time on Merseyside.
14 = Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger came to England in 1996 with practically no reputation amongst many followers of the game. However, he has created an incredible legacy in the Premier League, topping the table on three occasions, and putting together a daunting side that would go 49 games unbeaten.
27 = Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)
Given his monumental achievements since his move to Old Trafford, it is no surprise whatsoever to see Sir Alex top the list. The margin between himself and anyone else highlighted the inability for any club to maintain a challenge against United for longer than a few years whilst he was on the sidelines – perhaps Wenger aside.