Football managers are the driving force behind a team’s success. Their tactical talent, leadership, and ability to inspire their players have helped many achieve greatness. Some managers have made history not only with their tactics, but also with the number of trophies they have won.
In this article, we will look at the managers: who have won the most trophies in football history. Their remarkable records speak volumes about their ability to shape teams, dominate leagues, and win prestigious competitions. Let’s take a look at their legacies.
Note: The count includes official senior-level trophies. Regional/state titles are included in the total.
Last Update: 13/04/2025
10. Giovanni Trapattoni – 23 Trophies
Giovanni Trapattoni is one of the few managers in football history to have won major trophies in four different countries. Over the course of his illustrious career, Trapattoni collected an incredible 23 official trophies. His most iconic spell came with Juventus, where he helped define an era of Italian football dominance by winning every possible domestic and international title, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup.
Trapattoni is regarded as one of the most decorated Italian club managers of the 20th century. He also enjoyed success abroad, famously ending Bayern Munich’s four-year Bundesliga title drought in the 1996–97 season. Known for his pragmatic, disciplined, and tactically flexible style, Trapattoni built teams that were tough, resilient, and highly successful, leaving behind a legacy that stretches across Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Austria.
| Team | Total Trophies | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Juventus | 12 | 6 Serie A, 1 European Cup (UCL), 1 UEFA Cup, 1 Cup Winners’ Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup |
| Inter Milan | 3 | 1 Serie A, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 Supercoppa Italiana |
| Bayern Munich | 2 | 1 Bundesliga, 1 DFB-Pokal |
| Benfica | 1 | 1 Primeira Liga |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 1 | 1 Austrian Bundesliga |
| Other/Minor Titles | 4 | Mitropa Cup (1983), Coppa delle Alpi (1978), Regional Cups (Italy) |
9. Ottmar Hitzfeld – 25 Trophies
Known as “The General,” Ottmar Hitzfeld played a crucial role in elevating Borussia Dortmund to the pinnacle of European football, guiding them to their first UEFA Champions League title in 1997.
He later replicated his success with Bayern Munich, leading them to Champions League glory in 2001 and securing seven Bundesliga titles during his time in Germany.
Renowned for his tactical precision and calm leadership, Hitzfeld also enjoyed success in Switzerland, winning silverware with clinical consistency. His ability to dominate in multiple countries cements his legacy as one of football’s most respected managers.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Borussia Dortmund | 5 | 2 Bundesliga titles, 1 UEFA Champions League |
| Bayern Munich | 14 | 5 Bundesliga titles, 1 UEFA Champions League, 3 DFB-Pokals |
| Grasshopper | 6 | 2 Swiss Super Leagues, 4 Swiss Cups |
8. Luiz Felipe Scolari – 26 Trophies
Luiz Felipe Scolari is one of Brazil’s most respected and successful football managers. He famously led Brazil to glory in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, showcasing his ability to manage under immense pressure on the biggest stage. Beyond the national team, Scolari achieved significant success at the club level, winning multiple domestic titles in Brazil.
His winning mentality also brought success abroad, particularly in Portugal and China, where he further built his reputation as a manager capable of delivering silverware wherever he went. Scolari’s leadership, tactical discipline, and motivational skills have firmly established him as one of football’s significant managerial figures.
| Teams | No. of Trophies | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil National Team | 3 | 1 FIFA World Cup (2002), 1 FIFA Confederations Cup (2013), 1 Copa América (2019*) |
| Palmeiras | 5 | 1 Copa Libertadores (1999), 1 Copa do Brasil (2020), 2 Campeonato Brasileiro (1994, 2018) |
| Grêmio | 4 | 1 Copa Libertadores (1983), 1 Copa do Brasil (1994), 2 Campeonato Gaúcho (1987, 1995) |
| Other Clubs | 14+ | 3 Chinese Super League (2015–2017), 2 Uzbek League (2009–2010), 1 AFC Champions League (2015) |
7. Jock Stein – 26 Trophies
A pioneer in Scottish football, Jock Stein famously led Celtic to European glory, setting records that continue to inspire today. Known for his no-nonsense approach and leadership, Stein built Celtic into a true powerhouse, winning 10 Scottish League titles and numerous domestic cups during his illustrious career.
His crowning achievement came in 1967, when he guided Celtic to become the first British club to win the European Cup, famously with a team made up entirely of local players.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic | 25 | 10 Scottish Premier Leagues, 8 Scottish Cups, 1 European Cup |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 1 | 1 Scottish Cup |
6. José Mourinho – 26 Trophies
Known as “The Special One,” José Mourinho is celebrated for his tactical brilliance and his ability to win trophies across multiple countries. From his stunning UEFA Champions League triumph with Porto in 2004 to success at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, Mourinho’s career is filled with major honors.
His success is not only a result of his tactical genius but also his strong personality, which allows him to bring out the best in his players, no matter the cost. Mourinho’s relentless, results-driven approach has made him one of the most successful managers of the 21st century.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Porto | 6 | 2 Primeira Liga, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 UEFA Cup |
| Chelsea | 8 | 3 Premier Leagues, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cups |
| Inter Milan | 5 | 2 Serie A titles, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 Coppa Italia |
| Real Madrid | 3 | 1 La Liga, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Spanish Super Cup |
| Manchester United | 3 | 1 Europa League, 1 League Cup, 1 Community Shield |
| Roma | 1 | 1 UEFA Europa Conference League |
Related Reading: [Top 10 Most Decorated Football Players of All Time]
See which players have collected the most silverware in their careers.
5. Valeriy Lobanovskyi – 30 Trophies
One of the most incredible and mysterious coaches of all time, Valery Lobanovsky was the mastermind behind Dynamo Kyiv’s dominance of Soviet and Ukrainian football. A visionary who blended analytics with tactics, he was a pioneer of data-driven strategy long before it became common.
Lobanovsky managed the great Dynamo Kyiv teams of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, leading them to two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup triumphs. He also enjoyed great success managing the Soviet Union national team.
Widely regarded as one of football’s most revolutionary coaches, Lobanovsky introduced innovative ideas such as the false nine role in the 1970s.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamo Kyiv | 29 | 13 Soviet Top Leagues, 9 Soviet Cups, 2 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups |
| Soviet Union NT | 1 | Olympic Gold Medal (1988) |
4. Carlo Ancelotti – 31 Trophies
Calm, composed, and supremely efficient, Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most successful managers in modern football. Known for his cool demeanor and remarkable tactical flexibility, Ancelotti has guided some of the world’s biggest clubs to glory.
He is the only manager in history to have won four UEFA Champions League titles and has also claimed league championships in Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain — a true testament to his adaptability and excellence across Europe.
| Club | Trophies Won | Major Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 15 | 3 UEFA Champions League, 2 La Liga, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 Supercopa de España, 3 UEFA Super Cup, 2 FIFA Club World Cup, 1 FIFA Intercontinental Cup |
| AC Milan | 8 | 2 UEFA Champions League, 1 Serie A, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, 2 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Supercoppa Italiana |
| Chelsea | 3 | 1 Premier League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Community Shield |
| Bayern Munich | 3 | 1 Bundesliga, 2 DFL-Supercup |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 1 | 1 Ligue 1 |
| Juventus | 1 | 1 UEFA Intertoto Cup |
3. Mircea Lucescu – 35 Trophies
From Romania to Ukraine, from Serie A to the Super League, Mircea Lucescu is a coach with a long and trophy-laden career. Romanian legend Mircea Lucescu is best known for his long and successful career with Shakhtar Donetsk. He turned Shakhtar into the top club in Ukraine (22 trophies) and his influence extended beyond Ukraine, where he also enjoyed success in Romania, Turkey and Russia.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Shakhtar Donetsk | 22 | 8 Ukrainian Premier Leagues, 6 Ukrainian Cups, 1 UEFA Cup |
| Dynamo Kyiv | 6 | 3 Ukrainian Premier Leagues, 3 Ukrainian Super Cups |
| Galatasaray | 4 | 1 Turkish Super League, 2 Turkish Cups, 1 UEFA Super Cup |
| Besiktas | 2 | 1 Turkish Super League, 1 Turkish Cup |
| Other Teams | 3 | Domestic titles with smaller clubs |
2. Pep Guardiola – 39 Trophies
A tactical pioneer of modern football, Pep Guardiola has built a reputation for his possession-based style and extraordinary tactical awareness. He has won an incredible number of trophies at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
Guardiola redefined modern football with Barcelona’s tiki-taka, winning 14 trophies in just four years. His success continued at Bayern, where he secured multiple domestic trebles. At Manchester City, he achieved domestic dominance, culminating in a historic treble in 2023.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 14 | 3 La Liga, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 FIFA Club World Cups |
| Bayern Munich | 7 | 3 Bundesliga, 2 DFB-Pokal, 1 UEFA Super Cup |
| Manchester City | 18 | 6 Premier League titles, 1 UEFA Champions League, 4 EFL Cups, 2 FA Cups, 3 Community Shield, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup |
1. Sir Alex Ferguson – 49 Trophies
Sir Alex Ferguson is considered one of the most successful football managers in history. No manager in football history can match the legendary success of Sir Alex Ferguson. His illustrious career has earned him a place in the football Hall of Fame.. Although his most successful years came with Manchester United, Ferguson laid the foundations for his legendary status in Europe with Aberdeen.
During his remarkable 27-year reign at Old Trafford, he amassed an incredible 38 trophies, creating countless unforgettable moments. Among his most iconic achievements was the historic treble win during the 1998/99 season. Ferguson’s extraordinary accomplishments at Manchester United firmly secured his place as one of the greatest managers the sport has ever seen.
| Teams | No. of Trophies Won | Major Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 38 | 13 Premier Leagues, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 1 FIFA Club World Cup |
| Aberdeen | 10 | 3 Scottish Premier Leagues, 4 Scottish Cups, 1 Scottish League Cup, 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup |
| St. Mirren | 1 | 1 Scottish First Division |
These legendary football managers have not only shaped the history of the clubs they led but have also transformed the very fabric of the sport with their strategies, leadership, and passion.
From Ferguson’s dominance of English football to Guardiola’s tactical revolution, these icons have redefined the way the beautiful game is played — and how success is measured.
As modern greats like Ancelotti and Mourinho continue to chase silverware, the story of football’s greatest managers is far from over.
Top 10 Football Managers With Most Trophies in History
| Rank | Manager | Trophies Won |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Alex Ferguson | 49 |
| 2 | Pep Guardiola | 39 |
| 3 | Mircea Lucescu | 35 |
| 4 | Carlo Ancelotti | 31 |
| 5 | Valeriy Lobanovskyi | 30 |
| 6 | José Mourinho | 26 |
| 7 | Jock Stein | 26 |
| 8 | Luiz Felipe Scolari | 26 |
| 9 | Ottmar Hitzfeld | 25 |
| 10 | Giovanni Trapattoni | 23 |
Who do you think will rise to the top in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
