1 Sir Alex Ferguson

in 2009, Ferguson's public persona is akin to that of Brando in the film 'The Godfather.' Much has been written about his phenomenal record of success over four decades with St Mirren, Aberdeen and Manchester United but his record frankly speaks for itself. He transformed Aberdeen into the top team in Scotland, winning three league championships, 'the double' and beating Real Madrid to win Aberdeen's first ever European trophy. Since Ferguson left, no one but Rangers and Celtic have won the Scottish league, which tells a story in of itself. At Manchester United, he tackled a series of problems he perceived at the club, from the drinking culture in the 80s to the failure to invest properly in young talent. His man-management techniques are legendary: consisting of an arm around the shoulder when needed and never criticising his players in public. Another technique he's mastered is known as 'the hair dryer,' which you won't find in any management textbooks. This consists of Ferguson standing in front of a player nose-to-nose bellowing criticism while his face turns a beetrootish shade of crimson. Desite his temper, he's known as a hard but fair boss and is well-respected by his players. Since winning his first title with Manchested United and their first in over 20 years, Ferguson has won no fewer than 11 league championships at United alone (the greatest record of wins for any manager in the English league), 2 European cups, an historic 'treble' of the league, european cup and FA cup and has fashioned three or four teams over his tenure at Manchester United, all striving to play stylish, attacking football. Indeed, Ferguson has demonstrated a far greater ability to move with the times than some of his contemporaries and the likes of Clough, moving from a focus on motivation and man-management in the 80s and early 90s to a greater emphasis on tactics, fluidity of formation and modern coaching and training methods in the late 90s and 00s, while he sought to compete at the very highest level with continental club sides. Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho all brought something new to the English game just as Nicholson, Shankly and Clough did in the past. This competition between all three great managers perhaps forced each to alter their perceptions and move with the times. Ferguson did this more successfully than anyone, guiding his club through a barren period of transition in the early 00s and leading them subsequently with a new-look side to three successive premiership titles and a European cup, trouncing Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in the process. Over his time at United, Ferguson has demonstrated a real flair for team construction and has managed to get the best out of his players with many of them having visibly improved throughout their United careers. Great signings including Eric Cantona for just £1.2 million - the catalyst for all of their success since the early 90s, Roy Keane, arguably his most important signing of all and many others players such as Pallister, Bruce, Van Nistelroij,Vidic, Ferdinand and Ronaldo who all went on to become classy players. He also provided the backbone of the England side with his team of kids, featuring David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. His promise in the 80s was that he would make Man Utd the most successful club in English history. He appeared to feel the weight of history upon his shoulders and managed to deliver his promise: his 11 titles brought Man Utd level with Liverpool on 18 titles as English football's most successful ever side in terms of domestic titles. His final challenge is to match their European cup record. It is a phenomenal achievement and one that may never be equalled in this country by any other manager, though, having turned down management positions at top continental clubs to continue collecting winners' medals at United, Ferguson is himself quite clearly in the enviable position of being able to beat his own record and pull ahead of Liverpool with further silverware.

British league champions: 14
Foreign league champions: 0
European cup: 2
European cup winners' cup: 2
World club championship: 1