Which managers have won Premier League in their debut season?

The 2024-25 season saw another fresh addition to this coveted list.

The Premier League has been home to some of the most iconic and influential managers in football history. These revered tacticians have not only raised the bar for their teams but have also transformed the league itself. Since the Premier League is the most popular top-flight league competition in the world, the stakes are always high.

Each and every game is dissected and analysed down to the bone. It is often considered to be the toughest domestic competition there is to win. Many great teams have come close without winning the title, and spent years trying to do so in the process.

However, there are some names who have the honour of being one of just five people to become English Champions in their debut season on the sidelines. Here we will take a look at the names of a few managers who have won the Premier League in their debut season.

5. Jose Mourinho (2004-05 season)

He arrived at Chelsea in 2004, and he famously dubbed himself “The Special One.” He wasted no time living up to that billing. He inherited a decent Chelsea side that finished runners-up to Arsenal’s invincibles in 2003-04.

Mourinho cracked a formula that made the Blues near-unstoppable. Backed by an extortionate transfer kitty, exceptional home-grown talents and his “Special One” mantra, Mourinho’s Chelsea ripped the Premier League trophy out of Arsenal’s hands. They came very close to emulating the Invincibles themselves, suffering just one defeat all season long.

The Special One would go on to win another title in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, before claiming a third for the Blues in 2010.

4. Carlo Ancelotti (2009-10 season)

He is one of the most respected managers in world football. The manager brought his wealth of experience to Chelsea in the summer of 2009 after a trophy-laden spell with AC Milan. Under his leadership, Chelsea played some of the most attractive football the Premier League had seen at that time.

Chelsea edged out Manchester United to win the 2009-10 Premier League title by a single point. They capped off a memorable season with an FA Cup triumph, securing a historic domestic double.

3. Manuel Pellegrini (2013-14 season)

Pellegrini took over Manchester City in the summer of 2013. He stepped into English football with a strong reputation built from successful spells at Villareal, Real Madrid and Malaga.

He took over and led City to the top after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, in a dramatic title race with Liverpool. This remains Pellegrini’s only domestic league title in Europe.

2. Antonio Conte (2016-17 season)

The Italian tactician arrived at Chelsea in 2016 after a successful stint with Juventus, where he won multiple Serie A titles. He brought passion, intensity, and meticulous planning to Stamford Bridge, transforming Chelsea into a ruthless winning machine.

He changed tactics that brought remarkable success in his first year. A 13-match winning streak from October to December essentially secured the title before Christmas. Key players like Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante were instrumental, thriving in Conte’s disciplined but flexible system.

1. Arne Slot (2024-25 season)

Following Jürgen Klopp’s footsteps in Liverpool was never supposed to be easy. But Arne Slot has done his job brilliantly, as he didn’t let the fans down. No one expected the team to transition so seamlessly from life under Klopp to the new regime.

They barely missed a step and have charged to the title, claiming it with four matches still to play. He has become only the fifth manager in Premier League history to win the title in their debut season in English football.

The Reds’ pursuits of Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup glory that same year may have ended in heartbreak, but when it comes to the Premier League alone, Slot’s crop were top of the tree all season long.

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