We’ve put together a starting eleven comprised of English Premier League managers. How competitive could this team have been?
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Goalkeeper
Nuno Espírito Santo | Wolves – There’s only one candidate for this position. The Portuguese tactician spent the better part of his playing career playing a second fiddle to top goalkeepers which includes being an unused substitute in FC Porto’s triumphant UEFA Champions League final in 2004.
Defenders
Nigel Pearson | Watford– The former Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough captain was known for leadership qualities during his heyday, helping the former win the 1990/1 League Cup and gain promotion in the same season. He also helped “The Owls” reach two domestic cup finals. Pearson captained “Boro” to Premier League promotion twice.
Steve Bruce | Newcastle United – The former Manchester United captain won numerous trophies with the club which include three league titles. He also played for teams like Norwich City, Sheffield United and Birmingham City
David Moyes | West Ham – The Scottish manager is a former Celtic, Cambridge United, Bristol City, Shrewsbury Town, Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical and Preston North End centre-back.
Graham Potter | Brighton – The former England Under 21 International operated in the left-back position for teams like Birmingham City, Stoke City, Southampton and York City.
Midfielders
Pep Guardiola | Man City – A product of the Barcelona youth academy, Guardiola rose through the ranks and became one of the club’s prominent figures. He formed part of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team” that won the UEFA Champions League in 1992. Pep played a further nine years at the club winning six league titles in the process and a host of knockout trophies. He was deployed mainly as a deep-lying playmaker.
Mikel Arteta | Arsenal – The former Arsenal captain and current manager was a hardworking and versatile midfielder, having been used as both a defensive and attacking midfielder. He once finished a season third on the assists chart behind Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo. In same season he was fouled 100 times which was the most number of fouls on any player in the English Premier League.
Frank Lampard | Chelsea – The Chelsea legend is probably the best of the lot when it comes to playing ability. Lampard is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer having found the back of the net on 211 occasions in the blue shirt. He’s also the England national team’s most prolific penalty taker, with nine goals scored from the spot.
Carlo Ancelotti | Everton – “King Carlo” played for Parma, AC Milan and Juventus – winning six Serie A titles in the process. He was hailed for his leadership qualities and versatility.
Strikers
Jürgen Klopp | Liverpool – Klopp played for Mainz 05 between 1990 and 2001. The German tactition was a hard-working player who played started his career as a striker before moving to defence.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | Man United – The “Baby-faced Assassin” earned a super sub tag during his 11 years as a Manchester United striker due to his ability to come of the bench and score vital goals. His defining moment as a player came in the final on the 1998/9 UEFA Champions League final when he scored the injury time winner against Bayern Munich. The Norwegian won six Premier League titles with the Red Devils.
