Our Manager League kicked off last time, with Erik ten Hag showing his class to guide Chelsea to the title and earn himself an early lead in the ML table:
We covered that season in reasonable detail, but now we're looking to rattle through the seasons at a quicker pace. We're covering four seasons today.
Season 2
Season 2
The stand-out for me in this set of manager-team draws is the two most impressive managers from season 1 - ten Hag and Unai Emery - swapping clubs. At the other extreme, there is a lot of pressure on Thomas Frank and David Moyes as they are given control of the Manchester clubs after being sacked midway through last season.
The sack race was won this year by Frank Lampard, who was relieved of his Leicester duties in mid-October. It was a fairly brutal mid-part of the season for managers, with Eddie Howe (Wolves), Brendan Rodgers (Brentford), Gary O'Neil (West Ham) and Patrick Vieira (Leeds) all departing.
One manager who didn't depart was Pep Guardiola - despite his Fulham team propping up the table. Javier Aguirre again proved to be a poor replacement manager as he couldn't keep Fulham up. It left a final-day shootout between Leicester and Brentford... or so it seemed. But both sides won, and it meant that Southampton were relegated after losing to south coast rivals Brighton. As the Saints were managed by Mikel Arteta, it meant that the top two managers in real life suffered relegation here.
There was less drama at the other end of the table. Again, Jurgen Klopp finished seventh, this time with Spurs, whilst the top 4 was the same as last time too. But this time we had different champions, as it turned out that Moyes was perfectly-suited to Man City's squad and they cruised to an impressive title win!
In the League Cup there were surprise runs from Championship sides Norwich and Birmingham to the semi finals, where they were beaten by Chelsea and Arsenal. The final went to extra time, where Hakim Ziyech won it for Emery's Chelsea. Impressively, Norwich then made the semi finals of the FA Cup, where they met Man City. This time, their run didn't end, as they stunned the league champions 2-1. But they couldn't go all the way, as Klopp's Spurs triumphed 3-0 in the final.
In the Champions League the Clasico sides did for English clubs: Barcelona beat Liverpool on penalties in the quarter finals, whilst Real Madrid beat Man City in the semis and Chelsea in the final. Spurs, again, missed out in the group stage and fell into the Europa League, where they lost to PSV. Just like season 1, Manchester United and Arsenal contested the final, and this time it was Frank's United who won thanks to a goal from Marcus Rashford. Similarly, West Ham again reached the Conference League final, where this time they were overcome by Nice.
Finally, Ralph Hasenhuttl's England finishid third in the Nations League and got to the quarter final of the World Cup, losing 2-1 to France as in real life. And as in real life, the defending champions lose to Argentina in the final.
The sack race was won this year by Frank Lampard, who was relieved of his Leicester duties in mid-October. It was a fairly brutal mid-part of the season for managers, with Eddie Howe (Wolves), Brendan Rodgers (Brentford), Gary O'Neil (West Ham) and Patrick Vieira (Leeds) all departing.
One manager who didn't depart was Pep Guardiola - despite his Fulham team propping up the table. Javier Aguirre again proved to be a poor replacement manager as he couldn't keep Fulham up. It left a final-day shootout between Leicester and Brentford... or so it seemed. But both sides won, and it meant that Southampton were relegated after losing to south coast rivals Brighton. As the Saints were managed by Mikel Arteta, it meant that the top two managers in real life suffered relegation here.
There was less drama at the other end of the table. Again, Jurgen Klopp finished seventh, this time with Spurs, whilst the top 4 was the same as last time too. But this time we had different champions, as it turned out that Moyes was perfectly-suited to Man City's squad and they cruised to an impressive title win!
In the League Cup there were surprise runs from Championship sides Norwich and Birmingham to the semi finals, where they were beaten by Chelsea and Arsenal. The final went to extra time, where Hakim Ziyech won it for Emery's Chelsea. Impressively, Norwich then made the semi finals of the FA Cup, where they met Man City. This time, their run didn't end, as they stunned the league champions 2-1. But they couldn't go all the way, as Klopp's Spurs triumphed 3-0 in the final.
In the Champions League the Clasico sides did for English clubs: Barcelona beat Liverpool on penalties in the quarter finals, whilst Real Madrid beat Man City in the semis and Chelsea in the final. Spurs, again, missed out in the group stage and fell into the Europa League, where they lost to PSV. Just like season 1, Manchester United and Arsenal contested the final, and this time it was Frank's United who won thanks to a goal from Marcus Rashford. Similarly, West Ham again reached the Conference League final, where this time they were overcome by Nice.
Finally, Ralph Hasenhuttl's England finishid third in the Nations League and got to the quarter final of the World Cup, losing 2-1 to France as in real life. And as in real life, the defending champions lose to Argentina in the final.
So this is how the points break down for the season:
Season 3
Emery is the new leader of the Manager League now, and he has a real chance to build on that position with Man City this time. After relegation last time, Arteta now has the difficult assignment of Leeds, who sacked their manager in each season so far. Wolves have too, which is bad news for Steve Cooper. And it will be an emotional homecoming for Moyes at Everton.
But perhaps the most interesting appointment is Pep Guardiola at England. His side managed second spot in the Nations League, but their World Cup opened with a bad 3-1 loss to USA. It left them in the other half of the draw to before, and they make the most of it by getting to the final, where they came a cropper against France.
It's a sore one for Thomas Frank, who had a chance to score some good points with Newcastle, only to end up in 17th place and sacked in October. ten Hag only managed one place higher with West Ham, and he too was axed. Arteta lasted until Boxing Day at Leeds, and Moyes went soon after. Jurgen Klopp (Brighton) and Cooper (Wolves) went too despite the latter reaching the League Cup final. Gareth Southgate became the first manager to be sacked from a 'big six' club as 8th place with Man United wasn't good enough.
Graham Potter's Bournemouth stayed true to expected by finishing bottom, joined by Brighton who couldn't be saved by Lionel Scaloni. Pablo Sanz did a better job, pulling Wolves out of the relegation zone with one game to go, putting Ralph Hasenhuttl's Palace in trouble. They had to beat their manager's former club Southampton on the final day, but couldn't manage it and a 2-1 defeat saw them down.
At the top of the table it was a fairly straightforward march to the title for Emery's City, his 4-4-2 shape allowing Haaland and Julián Álvarez to notch almost 50 goals between them. Patrick Vieira's Liverpool were a comfortable second, whilst Brendan Rodgers' Arsenal held off Gary O'Neil's Spurs to join Julen Lopetegui's Chelsea in the top four. The upstarts were Aston Villa, who held off Man United to take sixth place, which will be a huge boost for Lampard after a miserable first two seasons.
As mentioned above, Wolves were League Cup finalists, taking Liverpool to extra time before losing 2-1. And Vieira's team made it a cup double when they beat Bournemouth 3-0 in the final of the FA Cup.
Ange Postecoglou had replaced ten Hag at West Ham, and did well in the league but only reached the Conference League quarter finals, as did Man United in the Europa League. Arsenal fared better, getting to the final where they lost to Real Betis. In the Champions League Spurs finally got out of their group, only to immediately lose to Juventus. Man City were also defeated in the round of 16, by Real Madrid. Chelsea and Liverpool met in the quarter finals, and Vieira's Red Men were 3-0 aggregate winners. They brushed Bayern aside to give themselves a third final of the season, where they inevitably met Real Madrid. It went all the way to penalties, and Diogo Jota scored the crucial kick to complete a remarkable cup treble!
But perhaps the most interesting appointment is Pep Guardiola at England. His side managed second spot in the Nations League, but their World Cup opened with a bad 3-1 loss to USA. It left them in the other half of the draw to before, and they make the most of it by getting to the final, where they came a cropper against France.
It's a sore one for Thomas Frank, who had a chance to score some good points with Newcastle, only to end up in 17th place and sacked in October. ten Hag only managed one place higher with West Ham, and he too was axed. Arteta lasted until Boxing Day at Leeds, and Moyes went soon after. Jurgen Klopp (Brighton) and Cooper (Wolves) went too despite the latter reaching the League Cup final. Gareth Southgate became the first manager to be sacked from a 'big six' club as 8th place with Man United wasn't good enough.
Graham Potter's Bournemouth stayed true to expected by finishing bottom, joined by Brighton who couldn't be saved by Lionel Scaloni. Pablo Sanz did a better job, pulling Wolves out of the relegation zone with one game to go, putting Ralph Hasenhuttl's Palace in trouble. They had to beat their manager's former club Southampton on the final day, but couldn't manage it and a 2-1 defeat saw them down.
At the top of the table it was a fairly straightforward march to the title for Emery's City, his 4-4-2 shape allowing Haaland and Julián Álvarez to notch almost 50 goals between them. Patrick Vieira's Liverpool were a comfortable second, whilst Brendan Rodgers' Arsenal held off Gary O'Neil's Spurs to join Julen Lopetegui's Chelsea in the top four. The upstarts were Aston Villa, who held off Man United to take sixth place, which will be a huge boost for Lampard after a miserable first two seasons.
As mentioned above, Wolves were League Cup finalists, taking Liverpool to extra time before losing 2-1. And Vieira's team made it a cup double when they beat Bournemouth 3-0 in the final of the FA Cup.
Ange Postecoglou had replaced ten Hag at West Ham, and did well in the league but only reached the Conference League quarter finals, as did Man United in the Europa League. Arsenal fared better, getting to the final where they lost to Real Betis. In the Champions League Spurs finally got out of their group, only to immediately lose to Juventus. Man City were also defeated in the round of 16, by Real Madrid. Chelsea and Liverpool met in the quarter finals, and Vieira's Red Men were 3-0 aggregate winners. They brushed Bayern aside to give themselves a third final of the season, where they inevitably met Real Madrid. It went all the way to penalties, and Diogo Jota scored the crucial kick to complete a remarkable cup treble!
It means Vieira scores a stonking great 1813 points, a new high:
Season 4
Vieira's next assignment after those heroics is Leicester, whilst Emery will see if his magic touch can lead England onto great things. Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi has done a quietly good job at three mid-table teams now, and finally gets his chance with a big club: Man City.
David Moyes was the manager in charge of his real-life club, West Ham. Surprisingly, he found himself the first manager sacked with the club in 15th - better than they did in real life at the same stage! The other casualties before New Year was Marco Silva at Southampton. They hired Bruno Lage, who could only steer the side down to bottom spot. But he did get them to the final of the League Cup where they met... West Ham (now managed by Rafa Benítez). Che Adams scored the winning goal for the Saints in a final that had no impact on the Manager League.
It was perhaps not a surprise that Klopp didn't get on at Everton, and he was the next manager to go. He was followed by Erik ten Hag (Brighton), Ralph Hasenhuttl (Leeds, inevitably), Jesse Marsch (Chelsea) and Steve Cooper (Brentford). With the exception of Chelsea, who were actually doing alright under Marsch, the other clubs made up the relegation race. Brentford followed Southampton in being relegated prematurely, and on the final day they were joined by
But this wasn't the big story: that was clearly the title race. De Zerbi's City and Pep Guardiola's Arsenal were neck-and-neck all season, and going into the final game were level on both points and goal difference! Incredibly, both teams fell behind in their final games. With City behind to Gareth Southgate's Wolves (the first manager to stay there all season), it looked like a 2-2 draw with Gary O'Neil's Newcastle would be enough for Arsenal. But Alexander Isak put Newcastle ahead, Riyad Mahrez levelled for City and the title headed again to Manchester!
It was a double celebration in the city as a final-day win over Villa earned Graham Potter's Man United their first top 4 spot of the Manager League. But the next week the two Mancunian clubs faced each other in the final of the FA Cup. Bernardo Silva was the matchwinner as City triumphed 2-1.
Spurs, managed by Eddie Howe this time, once again fell in the Champions League group stage (not even landing in the Europa), whilst Liverpool lost in the last 16. Chelsea suffered a surprise quarter final loss to FC Porto, who made it to the final where they met Man City. Phil Foden became the ultimate homegrown hero with the winning goal as De Zerbi's men emulated their real-life counterparts in winning the treble!
In the Europa League Man United lost to Internazionale in the semi final, who in turn lost on penalties to Arsenal in the final. And West Ham made it an English treble by beating Villarreal in the Conference League.
As for Emery's England, they finished third in the Nations League, but shone at the World Cup. They beat Wales 6-0 and overcame France at the stage where the real-life side lost. In the semi final they fell two goals behind before Marcus Rashford and Ben White struck to take it to extra time, but a late penalty sealed a 3-2 German victory.
David Moyes was the manager in charge of his real-life club, West Ham. Surprisingly, he found himself the first manager sacked with the club in 15th - better than they did in real life at the same stage! The other casualties before New Year was Marco Silva at Southampton. They hired Bruno Lage, who could only steer the side down to bottom spot. But he did get them to the final of the League Cup where they met... West Ham (now managed by Rafa Benítez). Che Adams scored the winning goal for the Saints in a final that had no impact on the Manager League.
It was perhaps not a surprise that Klopp didn't get on at Everton, and he was the next manager to go. He was followed by Erik ten Hag (Brighton), Ralph Hasenhuttl (Leeds, inevitably), Jesse Marsch (Chelsea) and Steve Cooper (Brentford). With the exception of Chelsea, who were actually doing alright under Marsch, the other clubs made up the relegation race. Brentford followed Southampton in being relegated prematurely, and on the final day they were joined by
But this wasn't the big story: that was clearly the title race. De Zerbi's City and Pep Guardiola's Arsenal were neck-and-neck all season, and going into the final game were level on both points and goal difference! Incredibly, both teams fell behind in their final games. With City behind to Gareth Southgate's Wolves (the first manager to stay there all season), it looked like a 2-2 draw with Gary O'Neil's Newcastle would be enough for Arsenal. But Alexander Isak put Newcastle ahead, Riyad Mahrez levelled for City and the title headed again to Manchester!
It was a double celebration in the city as a final-day win over Villa earned Graham Potter's Man United their first top 4 spot of the Manager League. But the next week the two Mancunian clubs faced each other in the final of the FA Cup. Bernardo Silva was the matchwinner as City triumphed 2-1.
Spurs, managed by Eddie Howe this time, once again fell in the Champions League group stage (not even landing in the Europa), whilst Liverpool lost in the last 16. Chelsea suffered a surprise quarter final loss to FC Porto, who made it to the final where they met Man City. Phil Foden became the ultimate homegrown hero with the winning goal as De Zerbi's men emulated their real-life counterparts in winning the treble!
In the Europa League Man United lost to Internazionale in the semi final, who in turn lost on penalties to Arsenal in the final. And West Ham made it an English treble by beating Villarreal in the Conference League.
As for Emery's England, they finished third in the Nations League, but shone at the World Cup. They beat Wales 6-0 and overcame France at the stage where the real-life side lost. In the semi final they fell two goals behind before Marcus Rashford and Ben White struck to take it to extra time, but a late penalty sealed a 3-2 German victory.
Somewhat surprisingly, Man City's treble does not earn them more points than Liverpool's from Season 3, but it still delivers a huge haul for De Zerbi:
Season 5
De Zerbi really delivered with Man City last time, and he is suddenly up in second behind Emery. He now has a chance to go top if he can shine again with Arsenal this time. Meanwhile, David Moyes faces his third successive former team, as he returns to Old Trafford. Of course, he didn't last a season there in real life, and he is on the back of two successive sackings here, so the pressure is really on.
But we'll start with Julen Lopetegui's England. An underwhelming Nations League campaign saw them finish third, and in the World Cup they lost to USA in the group stage. This is what Guardiola's England did, and in the same way it benefited them, it helped Lopetegui. They drew Ecuador in the second round, followed by Poland. It lead to a semi final with Spain where a Harry Kane brace saw England through. Like Guardiola, they met France in the final, but unlike that side England triumphed, with Kalvin Phillips becoming the unlikely hero in a 1-0 extra time win.
In the Premier League we had our longest wait for a sacking yet, before two arrived on the same day. It was the two sides at the bottom, as Frank Lampard left Palace and Ralph Hasenhuttl suffered his second Southampton sacking of the year. It was incredible the latter had lasted so long as he had lost his opening 12 matches of the season. Patrick Vieira (Brighton), Mikel Arteta (Aston Villa), Antonio Conte (Everton) also went, whilst Moyes inevitably was dismissed with Man United in the bottom half.
There were mixed fortunes for the sides with new managers. Southampton stayed rock bottom and were relegated along with Thomas Frank's Bournemouth. Meanwhile Rafa Benítez's Palace went on to beat Chelsea in the final of the League Cup but occupied the final relegation spot heading into the final day. Four other teams could go down, and a win over Bournemouth saved Palace and relegated their rivals Brighton. Wayne Rooney came in and saved Everton and got them to an FA Cup semi final. There they lost to De Zerbi's Arsenal, who beat Erik ten Hag's Liverpool in the final.
Whilst another trophy is good for De Zerbi, it wasn't the best league season for them as he became the first manager to fail to make the top 4 with the club. Instead, Steve Cooper's Newcastle got a Champions League place. But they, Liverpool and Gareth Southgate's Chelsea were left in the dust by Eddie Howe's Man City, who cruised to the title with 90 points.
Whilst all four English teams made it through their Champions League groups, Liverpool and Jesse Marsch's Spurs went out in the first knockout rounds, and Man City and Chelsea followed in the quarter finals. Similarly, Arsenal only made the last 16 of the Europa League and Man United the last 8. Unai Emery's West Ham fared a bit better, but were still bested by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Conference League semi finals.
But we'll start with Julen Lopetegui's England. An underwhelming Nations League campaign saw them finish third, and in the World Cup they lost to USA in the group stage. This is what Guardiola's England did, and in the same way it benefited them, it helped Lopetegui. They drew Ecuador in the second round, followed by Poland. It lead to a semi final with Spain where a Harry Kane brace saw England through. Like Guardiola, they met France in the final, but unlike that side England triumphed, with Kalvin Phillips becoming the unlikely hero in a 1-0 extra time win.
In the Premier League we had our longest wait for a sacking yet, before two arrived on the same day. It was the two sides at the bottom, as Frank Lampard left Palace and Ralph Hasenhuttl suffered his second Southampton sacking of the year. It was incredible the latter had lasted so long as he had lost his opening 12 matches of the season. Patrick Vieira (Brighton), Mikel Arteta (Aston Villa), Antonio Conte (Everton) also went, whilst Moyes inevitably was dismissed with Man United in the bottom half.
There were mixed fortunes for the sides with new managers. Southampton stayed rock bottom and were relegated along with Thomas Frank's Bournemouth. Meanwhile Rafa Benítez's Palace went on to beat Chelsea in the final of the League Cup but occupied the final relegation spot heading into the final day. Four other teams could go down, and a win over Bournemouth saved Palace and relegated their rivals Brighton. Wayne Rooney came in and saved Everton and got them to an FA Cup semi final. There they lost to De Zerbi's Arsenal, who beat Erik ten Hag's Liverpool in the final.
Whilst another trophy is good for De Zerbi, it wasn't the best league season for them as he became the first manager to fail to make the top 4 with the club. Instead, Steve Cooper's Newcastle got a Champions League place. But they, Liverpool and Gareth Southgate's Chelsea were left in the dust by Eddie Howe's Man City, who cruised to the title with 90 points.
Whilst all four English teams made it through their Champions League groups, Liverpool and Jesse Marsch's Spurs went out in the first knockout rounds, and Man City and Chelsea followed in the quarter finals. Similarly, Arsenal only made the last 16 of the Europa League and Man United the last 8. Unai Emery's West Ham fared a bit better, but were still bested by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Conference League semi finals.
With limited European success, the scores made by the big clubs are good but not great. A special shout-out to Jurgen Klopp, who becomes the first manager to survive a season at Elland Road:
So that's today's four seasons done with, let's see how the overall leaderboard is looking:
It can be hard to judge, because there are wildly different points hauls likely for each club. Generally, those who have had more turns with the big clubs should have more points. Each of the top 5 have had at least two 'big six' sides. But there's no denying the excellent performances put in by the teams of the top three managers so far. Will they keep it up? We'll do another four seasons next time.