Influential Managers in the EFL
Managers are just as influential as the players to achieve promotion and they are also influential in taking a club down.
But we will focus on the positive side and see the positive influence of some of the great managers have had in the leagues below the Premier League.
1. Neil Warnock
Arguably the greatest ever manager in the Championship history. The Sam Allardyce of the Championship, Warnock has a great track record of helping Championship sides either gain promotion to the Premier League or help them avoid relegation from the Championship.
If you were a Championship club and you were in trouble, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! No, no – it would be Neil Warnock. Warnock helped his boyhood club Sheffield United to gain promotion and he achieved the same feat with a less-fancied side Queens Park Rangers.
Warnock also helped Cardiff gain promotion with a very average squad, but that was his speciality. His other speciality was keeping teams afloat in the Championship. The Englishman helped save Rotherham and Huddersfield from relegation, both feats were remarkable considering both the sides were odds-on favourites to go down by the time Warnock took the reigns.
Warnock remains the most famous manager in Championship history and certainty one of the most popular ones.
2. Steve Coppell
We just had to include the record-breaking manager. Steve Coppell’s Reading broke the Championship points record when they finished the 2005-06 season with 106 points on top of finishing first and winning the Championship title.
Steve Coppell not only won the Manager of the Year for 2005-06, he also won the Premier League Manager of the Season the very next year as Reading finished in 8th position. It wasn’t a one-off season from Steve Coppell and Reading.
Reading only lost twice in the 2005-06 season and went on an unbeaten run of 33 games after losing the very first game. An incredible feat considering Reading was not a dominant Championship side. Hence, the record is so remarkable that we just had to include it.
3. Billy Davies
Billy Davies’ Derby County gained a surprise promotion to the Premier League in the 2006-07 season. Davies’ side was well-drilled and consistent throughout the campaign, ultimately beating West Bromwich Albion in a play-off final.
That was as good as it got for Davies and Derby as they are now considered one of the worst teams to ever be promoted to the Premier League. But, that should tell you the scale of achievement from Billy Davies, he took an undercooked side to the Premier League. Derby were not equipped for Premier League and that makes Davies’ achievement even more remarkable.
Billy Davies also managed Nottingham Forest in the Championship on two separate occasions. He almost got Forest promoted in both his spells. Davies had a very limited spell in managing clubs in the Championship, but he sure left a lasting impact on the clubs he managed.
In the end, Billy Davies managed to win the Championship Manager of the Month 7 times.
4. Mick McCarthy
This list would be incomplete without the charismatic Mick McCarthy. An excellent coach in the Championship. Mick McCarthy first took Sunderland to the Premier League, he then achieved the same feat with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
McCarthy also did fairly well at Ipswich and then at Blackpool. But, McCarthy will always be remembered for his time at Sunderland and Wolves. In his prime, McCarthy managed to get both those clubs promoted to the Premier League.
Mick McCarthy won the Championship Manager of the Month 6 times in his career.
5. Chris Wilder
One cannot overlook Chris Wilder when discussing influential managers in the EFL. Starting off with Oxford United in League Two, Wilder gained recognition for his tactical prowess and player management. But it was at Sheffield United where he truly shone. Wilder led the Blades from League One to the Premier League in just three seasons, showcasing a unique brand of overlapping centre-backs that baffled opponents. His down-to-earth demeanor and keen understanding of the English lower leagues made him an instant fan favorite.
Wilder’s Sheffield United not only got promoted but also finished ninth in their first Premier League season, which was an astounding accomplishment. Though the team eventually faced relegation, the impact Wilder had in raising the club’s profile and instilling a never-give-up attitude can’t be understated.
Wilder has won the League One Manager of the Month award three times and the Championship Manager of the Month twice, adding to his already stellar reputation in the EFL. His transformative work with Sheffield United exemplifies how an innovative, passionate manager can lift a club from obscurity to national prominence.
6. Nigel Pearson
Another tactician deserving of mention is Nigel Pearson. He has shown his acumen in multiple stints at different clubs, but it was his time at Leicester City that propelled him into the limelight. Pearson guided Leicester to a Championship title in the 2013-14 season, setting the foundation for their incredible Premier League title win two years later.
Pearson is well-known for his man-management skills and tactical flexibility. He knows how to grind out results, a trait that is particularly beneficial in the grueling Championship season. Besides Leicester, he had spells at clubs like Hull City and Derby County, where he always left a mark, even if he couldn’t achieve promotion.
7. Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson has been another stalwart in the Championship and lower leagues. With promotions at four different clubs—Blackpool, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, and Preston North End—Grayson has demonstrated a knack for building competitive squads on limited budgets. He doesn’t have the high profile of some other managers on this list, but his work in the EFL has been consistently effective.
Grayson’s adaptable tactical setups and emphasis on team unity have often been cited as key factors in his success. He has also won several Manager of the Month awards, reflecting his competence and influence in the league.
Honourable Mentions
- Tony Mowbray
- Chris Hughton
- Dave Jones
- Steve Bruce
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