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Football management, like every other thing that is management related focuses heavily on results. A manager is only as good as the results he has to his credit, for management is simply the art of getting results through and with others.

The following are, in no particular order, the greatest managers we have today:
Sir Alex Ferguson
Fabio Capello
Jose Mourinho

Frank Rijkaard
Rafa Benitez
Ottmar Hitzfield
Johan Cryuff
Carlo Ancelotti
Louis Van Gaal

The one and only reason that makes all of these individuals stand out is that they have all won the UEFA Champions League at least once with their clubs. The Champions League is seen by many soccer pundits as the best soccer competition in the world, and any coach that wins it can rightly claim to being the world's best.

There are many other great managers who have won their domestic titles several times over the years, but they need to win the ultimate prize to be able to seriously qualify as contenders for being successful managers.

From the list of 9 "greats" only three were great players in their prime - namely Rijkaard, Cruyff and Ancelotti. This means that success in football management transcends just being a very good player. One requires additional skills such as astute tactical strategy,man management, interpersonal skills, creating a conducive environment, having clear objectives and goals, minimizing injuries, possessing a range of skillful players in every position plus a million and one other dynamic traits and attributes needed to be truly great in football management.

You do not have to be successful in your playing days to possess all that is needed. The reason being that successful football management is a science, not an art. When you model the behaviors of successes you are bound to get the results they got. Mentoring and understudying is key to being a great manager, learn from the greats and you will be great too.

For example Jose Mourinho cut his coaching teeth at Barcelona under 2 coaches - Louis Van Gaal
and Bobby Robson both of whom had uniquely different styles. It was what he learnt that he applied at Porto and became a huge success.

Likewise all football managers, whether former professional players or not. They need to continually develop themselves and model success, in addition to acquiring all the necessary administrative and managerial skills, and definitely they will make it on the big stage

Learn more about this author, Ken Doghudje.
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