The appointment of Liam Rosenior as Chelsea's new manager has sparked renewed interest in a question that has puzzled English football for decades: why has no English boss won the Premier League? Since the league's inception in 1992, a staggering 12 managers have led their teams to Premier League triumph, but none of them have been English. The last Englishman to win a top-flight title was Howard Wilkinson, who led Leeds United to victory in the 1991-1992 season, before the Premier League era began.
The dominance of foreign managers in the Premier League is a phenomenon that has been observed for years. The likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, and Arsene Wenger have all made significant contributions to the league's history, with 13, six, and three titles respectively. The current top three teams in the league are led by Spanish managers: Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, Guardiola's Manchester City, and Unai Emery's Aston Villa. This raises questions about the competitiveness of English managers in the modern game.
The statistics are telling: only four permanent English managers are currently plying their trade in the Premier League, with Rosenior joining Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe, and Scott Parker. In contrast, 16 of the 20 top-flight managers in Italy are Italian, 11 of the 20 in Spain are Spanish, 12 of the 18 in Germany are German, and 10 of the 18 in France are French. This disparity suggests that English managers are underrepresented in the Premier League.
Dion Dublin, a former Manchester United player, believes that foreign managers have an edge when it comes to winning titles. "A lot of the foreign managers that have come over here have had success in Europe and won trophies as well, so maybe they know how to do it. Maybe that's why no English person or manager has won it."
The influx of foreign managers in the Premier League can be traced back to the 1990s, when the likes of Wenger and Mourinho arrived in England. Wenger's impact on the league was particularly significant, as he introduced a new style of play and a more sophisticated approach to the game. His success paved the way for other foreign managers to follow in his footsteps.
So, who could be the first English manager to win the Premier League? Rosenior's appointment at Chelsea has given him a chance to make history, but he faces stiff competition from the likes of Guardiola and Arteta. Other English managers, such as Dyche and Howe, have also shown promise, but they will need to overcome significant obstacles to achieve success.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope for English managers in the Premier League. The tide may be turning, with more English managers being given opportunities to manage top-flight teams. As Dublin noted, "I believe an English manager will win the Premier League, no doubt about that. When? I'm not too sure." Only time will tell if Rosenior or another English manager can break the curse and bring the Premier League title back to an English boss.
The Premier League's global appeal and competitive balance make it one of the most exciting and unpredictable leagues in the world. As the season unfolds, English managers will have the chance to prove themselves against the best in the world. Will one of them emerge victorious and make history? The wait continues, but the hope remains that an English manager will soon join the ranks of the Premier League's title-winning elite.
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
