What defines a "great manager"?

[Matt the Giant]

It's not as easy as looking at how many trophies they have won, right?
Because we would have to also consider which team(s) they managed, the players available, fan base, financial funds etc.

I mean, judging for example Pep's ability as a manager: had he been at let's say Stoke, - he probably wouldn't be deemed a great manager, for obvious reasons. And let's take Zidane at Real Madrid, - is he really a "great manager", or are all other factors making him look good?

Another example, Carlo Ancelotti, - who has won a lot of titles and trophies, for the best teams on the planet, but also doing a pretty fantastic job at Everton. Should he perhaps be considered a truly great manager? Maybe even Rodgers belong in the same category, though not with the same pedigree? And what about someone like Claudio Ranieri? He won the PL and many other lesser titles/promotions in various countries and leagues. But is he regarded as a "great manager"? Not really, right?

Who would you consider to be a great manger, with everything in consideration? And what attributes do you think should be taken into consideration?

 

[Dicko69]

It's hard to say, people ridicule fat Sam, but he organises and motivates his teams and makes them better. 100% win record at international level. **** of a man.
Dario gradi, had lower level team playing great football trying to play the "right way", could he have achieved at a higher level with better players? Set up a great academy concentrating on youth(a little too much allegedly)
Peg was till football evolved and he didn't, but his Porto and 1st spell at Chelsea has to be rated.

 

[Blue Til Death]

Only one thing defines a great manager and that’s success, nothing else matters as far as history goes ... There are lots of very good managers who win nowt but they won’t be remembered as greats ....

 

[lancs blue]

A manager who can build a successful side and then rebuild that side to achieve more success.

 

[mat]

Someone who doesn't manage City...

 

[BrianW]

I'd say someone who takes a club to unprecedented heights. So getting Rochdale into the Championship (for example) would be more impressive than winning a single League Cup with City or the Rags.

 

[Pell]

A great manager makes the team better than the sum of its parts. Guardiola definitely fits this definition. People talk about the great players he has and the money that's been spent, but look how he makes players better. He turned Delph from a central midfielder into a left-back, and did the same with Zinchenko. Stones went from a lost cause to one of the best defenders in the league, Cancelo has gone from bit part player to top class full-back/creative midfielder. He did the same with Lahm at Bayern.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Multiple factors:
-level of success
-ability to rebuild teams
-has a style of football immediately identifiable as there own
-has succeeded with multiple teams and leagues
-track record of improving players
-coaches and mentors other younger coaches and is supportive of their careers
-is a decent human being with consistent values

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

A manager who can consistently win trophies year after year at different clubs , which excludes Klippety , he isnt fit to lace Pep's boots , Baconface only did it at one club he turned down offers from other clubs , no matter how much you detest Mourinho he has proven himself to be a great manager , and Ancelloti is up there with the best

 

[Keeper!]

Multiple titles at different clubs.

Making players better

Rebuilding teams.

Never happy with stagnation.

Never be happy with second or second best.

Humility.