Who is the better manager?

soggy biscuit · by **soggy biscuit** » 19 Dec 2007 11:55

Heard part of an interesting debate last night about Wenger & Ferguson and who is the better manager. Interesting in that so many people seemed to be backing Wenger as the better manager when you compare the style of play, achievments (including the unbeaten league season) but most importantly people seemed to be edging towards Wenger due to the comparative money spent on players by the 2 managers.

Just wondered what others views were.

SpaceCruiser · by **SpaceCruiser** » 19 Dec 2007 11:58

Sadly for the Francophiles on here, it's got to be Ferguson. He's won a European Cup, whereas Wenger has failed. Ferguson also has won more Premierships than Wenger.

handbags_harris · by **handbags_harris** » 19 Dec 2007 12:14

Fergie for me. His constant ability to reinvent a side over the last 15 - 20 years has been consistently successful. His Manchester United side play the most effective football in the land, constant attack at all costs. his firm "no player is bigger than the club" mantra has reaped dividends in the number of trophies he has won. This man always has a trick up his sleeve if things don't go to plan (over the last 10 years it's been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer), whereas Wenger resorts to Plan A if Plan A fails. Fergie's success speaks for itself in both Europe and domestically with both United AND Aberdeen. I can't see Wenger getting a team like Aberdeen a European trophy, whether it be past present or future. Therefore Fergie > Wenger.

cmonurz · by **cmonurz** » 19 Dec 2007 12:18

It is incredibly difficult to vote against Ferguson, his record is simply immense. That said, that should not cloud Wengerâ€™s achievements at Arsenal, and the brand of football played under his management has been the best in England for some years. He must also be, without doubt, the best manager for nurturing young players â€“ average age of 19 progressing to the cup semis last night.

Iâ€™ve voted for Wenger â€“ would Wenger have won as many titles at United, with Unitedâ€™s players? Imho, yes, without a doubt. Would Ferguson have achieved so much with Arsenalâ€™s players? I donâ€™t know. Difficult to judge, as Ferguson â€œisâ€

Vision · by **Vision** » 19 Dec 2007 12:20

Longevity and significantly more success in all competitions would give Fergie the edge for me.

However it has to be said that the way Wenger has transformed the entire ethos of Arsenal from "Boring Arsenal" into arguably the best footballing side in the History of English football means that in time the impact of his time might well be more significant than Fergie at Utd. That he did it all on a relatively small budget makes it even more remarkable.

Huntley & Palmer · by **Huntley & Palmer** » 19 Dec 2007 12:20

It's a tough one, if you go by achievements then Ferguson is ahead. If you go on ability to get in young talent and nurture it to the standard required, Wenger is slightly ahead. Both have had good and bad buys in the transfer market and also managed to recoup money for players at the right time with possibly Wenger just sneaking that area. Two of the best managers to have ever worked in the England though

soggy biscuit · by **soggy biscuit** » 19 Dec 2007 12:28

Just searching the internet for a few comparative stats and came accross the Wikipedia entry on Man Utd

LOL @ the 'Fattest Bastards' section

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_United_F.C.

cmonurz · by **cmonurz** » 19 Dec 2007 12:38

Incredibly (given Wenger has been in charge for 643 games, and Ferguson 1143) they have both won 57.7% of their matches.

papereyes · by **papereyes** » 19 Dec 2007 12:47

I'd go Fergie, simply because he has succeeded in Europe with British clubs (and I may even include his Aberdeen campaigns here).

I'm never sure what to make of his youth policies as, other than Giggs and the 1995 crop, its O'Shea and buying good players in, young, for a pretty large chunk of cash. That said, Wenger has never quite managed to get a truly great side from a constant conveyor belt of talent.

I think had Wenger joined Arsenal in 1992 United would not won as many league titles - Ferguson caught the wave of the Premiership perfectly and put United well ahead before his rivals were properly organised.

Row Z Royal · by **Row Z Royal** » 19 Dec 2007 12:53

Wenger - 11 years from 1996-2007

3 Leagues
3 FA Cups

A few runners-up, including 4 leagues, 3 FA Cups, the League Cup, European Cup and UEFA Cup.

I haven't got runners-up stat on Fergie, but in his first 11 years (1986-'97) he won these:

4 Leagues
3 FA Cups
1 League Cup
1 UEFA Cup
And the Euro Super Cup.

Now I'm not Fergie's biggest fan but I have a huge amount of respect for what he's done in football and for football. ManUtd are English football. Watch ManU and watch the National Team. No excaping it. However, Wenger's brand of football is truly astounding but he has had less success with it. Saying that, ManU haven't won a league without losing a game!

To summarise, I haven't got a clue. Different styles and temperaments rule out a comparison further than the size of the trophy cabinet. Ask me again when Wenger has 21 years under his belt and Fergie's retired.

BR2 · by **BR2** » 19 Dec 2007 12:55

Very close between the two.
I slightly favour Wenger because he has managed for less time and has tended to groom young players rather than buy in the best.
History shows that Fergie got lucky with the class of '92 or whenever it was because development of their youngsters has been poor both before and since.
Also I detest Man Utd which might just affect my view marginally.

Wycombe Royal · by **Wycombe Royal** » 19 Dec 2007 13:10

Where's the Alan Pardew option?

Royalee · by **Royalee** » 19 Dec 2007 14:41

Ferguson is the better manager, Wenger is the better coach.

Katie Marsden · by **Katie Marsden** » 19 Dec 2007 16:34

Wenger is a great manager but the fact remains he's yet to win anything in Europe and yet to retain the title. You need to do one or the other to be up there with the best.

Ferguson has done both and also won the historical treble which is far better than simply going unbeaten and winning one trophy. Ferguson's record in Europe is much better than Wengers. 1 final, 3 semi finals and 2 quarter finals in the last decade isn't a bad record. Wenger has managed 1 final and 2 quarter finals in that time.

You can't help but respect Wengers record in the transfer market and his net spending is very small compared to Liverpool, United, Chelsea and Newcastle in the last decade. His policy does have its downsides though. Arsenal are forever saying how much money they have to spend and Wenger decides not to spend it. As a result the side won nothing in 2 years and surely that's down to Wenger. No manager at Chelsea or United would be allowed to work as pressure free as Wenger does at Arsenal which gives Wenger a huge advantage in bringing players through.

Kes · by **Kes** » 19 Dec 2007 16:47

Mourinho - 2 championships in 3 seasons, plus the FA Cup and Carling cup twice.

who are ya? · by **who are ya?** » 19 Dec 2007 16:57

Royalee Ferguson is the better manager, Wenger is the better coach.

End of thread.

Row Z Royal · by **Row Z Royal** » 19 Dec 2007 19:13

who are ya?
Royalee Ferguson is the better manager, Wenger is the better coach.

End of thread.

Booooo. I was enjoying that.

weybridgewanderer · by **weybridgewanderer** » 19 Dec 2007 21:01

Fergie

Ferguson was manager of St Mirren from 1974-1978 producing a remarkable transformation of a team in the lower half of the old Second Division watched by crowds of just over 1,000 to first division champions in 1977
st mirren are the only team to have sacked fergie

Aberdeen 1978â€“1986
Domestic competition

Scottish League: (3) 1979-80, 1983-84, 1984-85
Runners-Up: (2) 1980-81, 1981-82
Scottish Cup: (4) 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86
Scottish League Cup: (1) 1985-86
Runners-Up: (2) 1978-79, 1979-80
European competition

European Cup Winners Cup: (1) 1982-83
UEFA Super Cup: (1) 1983-84

Manchester United 1986-
Domestic competition

Premier League: (9) 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07
FA Cup: (5) 1989-90, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04
League Cup: (2) 1991-92, 2005-06
FA Charity/Community Shield: (7) 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007

European competition

UEFA Champions League: (1) 1998-1999
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: (1) 1990-91
Intercontinental Cup: (1) 1999
UEFA Super Cup: (1) 1991-92

FA Premier League Manager of the Year: (7) 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2002-03, 2006-07
Ferguson has won the FA Premier League Manager of the Month award 19 times (a record).
LMA Manager of the Year: 1998-99
LMA Manager of the Year: Manager of the decade: 1990s.
UEFA Champions League Manager of the Year: 1998-99
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award: 2001
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award: 1999
Football Writers' Association Tribute Award: 1996
Mussabini Medal: 1999
World Soccer Magazine Coach of the Year: (3) 1993, 1999, 2007
Professional Footballers' Association Merit Award: 2007

Wenger

AS Monaco
Coupe de France (1): 1991
Ligue 1 (1): 1988

Nagoya Grampus Eight
J-League Super Cup (1): 1996
Emperor's Cup (1): 1996

Arsenal
Premier League (3): 1998, 2002, 2004
FA Cup (4): 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
FA Community Shield (4): 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004

French Manager of the Year (1): 1988
League Manager of the Year (1): 1995

Kevin Doyles Right Foot · by **Kevin Doyles Right Foot** » 19 Dec 2007 21:09

Wenger = better football
Ferguson = More success

Victor Meldrew · by **Victor Meldrew** » 19 Dec 2007 22:14

Kes Mourinho - 2 championships in 3 seasons, plus the FA Cup and Carling cup twice.

What on earth has that got to do with a debate about Wenger and Ferguson?
Sir Alf Ramsey the only English manager to win a World Cup-a statement just as irrelevant.