The Best Premier League Managers of 2022
The Premier League is not just the most competitive football league in the world—it’s also home to some of the most brilliant managerial minds. In 2022, we witnessed tactical masterclasses, underdog stories, and incredible consistency from some of the league’s finest managers. From title-winning masterminds to those who overachieved with limited resources, here’s a look at the best Premier League managers of 2022.
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
It’s impossible to talk about the Premier League’s best managers without mentioning Pep Guardiola. The Manchester City boss has redefined modern football with his possession-based, high-pressing style. In 2022, Guardiola led City to yet another Premier League title, edging out a relentless Liverpool side in a dramatic season finale.
Guardiola’s ability to adapt his tactics was on full display, especially with the addition of Erling Haaland in the summer of 2022. His decision to tweak City’s shape to accommodate a true No. 9 has allowed them to maintain their dominance while evolving tactically. Beyond the trophies, Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of perfection makes him one of the greatest managers in football history.
Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool continued to be one of the most formidable teams in the Premier League throughout 2022. Although they narrowly missed out on the league title in the 2021/22 season, Klopp’s high-energy, gegenpressing tactics ensured Liverpool remained a dominant force.
Klopp also led Liverpool to domestic cup success, winning both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in dramatic penalty shootouts. His ability to motivate his players and maintain high standards, even with a congested fixture schedule, is a testament to his brilliance. While Liverpool faced some challenges in the latter half of 2022, Klopp’s reputation as one of the league’s finest tacticians remains intact.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal project truly began to take shape in 2022. After a rocky start to his tenure, Arteta’s young and exciting Arsenal squad emerged as serious contenders for a top-four finish. His emphasis on building from the back, fluid attacking football, and trust in youth players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli paid dividends.
Arsenal’s resurgence in 2022 wasn’t just about tactics—it was about culture. Arteta has instilled a winning mentality at the club, bringing a sense of unity and purpose to a team that had struggled for identity in recent years. While the Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification in the 2021/22 season, they ended the year looking like a team on the verge of something special.
Antonio Conte (Tottenham Hotspur)
Antonio Conte’s arrival at Tottenham in late 2021 breathed new life into the club, and 2022 was a year of significant progress under the Italian tactician. Conte’s renowned tactical discipline and fiery personality helped Spurs secure a top-four finish in the 2021/22 season, ensuring Champions League football would return to North London.
Conte’s ability to get the best out of players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min was particularly impressive. His use of a back-three system, combined with devastating wing-backs, gave Tottenham a clear identity. While his fiery demeanor occasionally made headlines, it’s clear that Conte brought a winning mentality to a club that had been searching for consistency.
Eddie Howe (Newcastle United)
Eddie Howe’s transformation of Newcastle United in 2022 was nothing short of remarkable. When he took over in November 2021, Newcastle were languishing in the relegation zone. By the end of the 2021/22 season, they had comfortably secured mid-table safety, and in the 2022/23 campaign, they began pushing for a top-six finish.
Howe’s tactical flexibility and ability to improve individual players stood out. Under his leadership, Newcastle became a well-organized, hard-to-beat side. The signings of Bruno Guimarães and Kieran Trippier were instrumental, but Howe deserves immense credit for getting the best out of the existing squad. Newcastle’s rise under Howe is a sign of things to come, as the club aims to establish itself among the Premier League’s elite.
Graham Potter (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Before his move to Chelsea in late 2022, Graham Potter was widely regarded as one of the best young managers in the league due to his stellar work at Brighton. Under Potter, Brighton played attractive, possession-based football and consistently punched above their weight.
In the 2021/22 season, Potter led Brighton to a ninth-place finish—their highest-ever position in the Premier League. His ability to develop players like Leandro Trossard and Marc Cucurella, combined with his innovative tactical approach, earned him the move to Chelsea. While his early days at Stamford Bridge were mixed, Potter’s work at Brighton solidified his reputation as one of the Premier League’s brightest managerial talents.
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Thomas Frank’s Brentford were one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2022. In their debut Premier League season (2021/22), Frank guided the Bees to a respectable 13th-place finish, defying expectations that they would struggle to stay up.
Frank’s tactical acumen and ability to motivate his players were pivotal to Brentford’s success. His use of a high-pressing system and reliance on data-driven recruitment ensured that Brentford remained competitive against much wealthier clubs. The signing of Christian Eriksen in January 2022 proved to be a masterstroke, as the Danish playmaker added creativity and experience to their midfield.
Conclusion
The Premier League in 2022 showcased the brilliance of its managers. From Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp battling for supremacy at the top to Eddie Howe and Thomas Frank inspiring their teams to overachieve, the league was full of fascinating stories.
These managers are not just tacticians—they are leaders who inspire their players and define the identity of their clubs. As we move into 2023, it will be exciting to see how these managerial rivalries continue to shape the league. One thing is certain: with such a wealth of talent in the dugouts, the Premier League remains the most captivating football league in the world.
