12) David O’Leary, 1.55 points per game, 0 titles, 3 top four finishes, 260 games, 210pts
O’Leary managed Leeds when they were one of the best teams in the land, and famously took them to the Champions League semi-finals in 2000/01. It feels strange to think the much mocked Irishman has finished in the top four on three occasions.
11) Claudio Ranieri, 1.82 points per game, 0 titles, 2 top four finishes, 146 games, 217pts
Ranieri got ditched by Abramovich in 2004 after he led Chelsea to a 2nd placed finish, but it was one of the best decisions the Russian ever made – as he appointed Jose Mourinho next.
10) Roy Evans, 1.69 points per game, 0 titles, 4 top four finishes, 184 games, 234pts
The second of four ex-Liverpool managers to make the cut. Evans led us to four top four finishes – only bettered by three other managers in Premier League history. Interestingly (which perhaps says much about the quality of English managers…) he’s the highest placed Englishman on this list.
9) Gerard Houllier, 1.68 points per game, 0 titles, 4 top four finishes, 249 games, 238pts
Houllier took over from Evans full-time in 1998 after a brief spell as joint manager with Roy. He installed discipline into our ranks, and brilliantly won five trophies in 2001 – including the FA Cup and UEFA Cup. The Frenchman’s defensive style eventually grew weary, and we decided to bring in Rafa Benitez in 2004 to replace him. Houllier will always be welcomed back at Anfield with open arms, of course.
