Frank Christian
Pep Guardiola’s recent contract renewal with Manchester City marks the continuation of his reign, surpassing a decade at the Etihad Stadium.
The impressive collection of trophies collected by the notable Catalan is consistent with his history prior to joining the Premier League.
Initially known for his intense desire to win, few anticipated Guardiola’s lengthy tenure, especially after shorter spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
This latest one-year extension, following his agreements in 2018, 2020, and 2024, keeps him among the elite managers with the longest tenures in Premier League history.
Premier League’s Longest-Serving Managers
5. Pep Guardiola: Manchester City (2016 — present)
Guardiola’s first season in 2016/17 ended without trophies, but he has since transformed English football, securing six of the next seven Premier League titles, including a record four consecutive wins.
Moreover, his achievement of winning Manchester City’s first UEFA Champions League in the 2022/23 season contributed to a treble for the club, part of an impressive 18 trophies captured during his time, which also features a historic domestic triple in 2018/19. It’s no surprise that City is eager to retain him.
If Guardiola completes the two-year term available in his latest contract, he will rise even further in the rankings of the longest-serving managers.
4. Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool (2015 — 2023)
Klopp assumed control of Liverpool after the dismissal of Brendan Rodgers during the 2015/16 season. If Guardiola stays on past May 2025 as anticipated, he will just surpass Klopp’s impressive tenure by a narrow margin.
These two managers have had a significant impact on English football, often pushing each other to excel. Klopp’s Liverpool team, despite coming close with two seasons of over 90 points and finishing just short of City in 2018/19 and 2021/22, achieved notable success, including a long-awaited league title in 2019/20 and a sixth European championship.
3. David Moyes: Everton (2002 — 2013)
David Moyes has enjoyed a remarkable revival with West Ham, crowning it with UEFA Conference League success in 2022/23. However, he is arguably still most recognized for his short-lived spell at Manchester United.
Despite a rocky start and a few relegation scares, Moyes turned Everton into a steady top-half team during his 11 years at Goodison Park. His mentorship of Wayne Rooney is a testament to his effective leadership, ultimately earning a well-deserved opportunity at Old Trafford almost a decade later.
2. Alex Ferguson: Manchester United (1992 — 2013)
While it’s established that Ferguson’s legendary tenure at Manchester United began in 1986, for this discussion, we focus on the Premier League era. He dominated this period, crafting a legacy that still looms large in football today.
Ferguson guided United to their first top-flight triumph in the inaugural Premier League season of 1992/93 and followed it up with an astonishing 12 additional titles, solidifying the club’s status as a dominant force in English football.
He achieved remarkable cup success as well, highlighted by winning the treble in 1998/99 and later, a second Champions League trophy in 2007/08, showcasing his ability to adapt over the years amidst emerging rivalries.
Arsene Wenger: Arsenal (1996 — 2018)
As their rivalry faded and respect grew, Wenger realized that Ferguson saw him less as a contender. The fierce competition between Manchester United and Arsenal in the late ’90s remains iconic, with Wenger’s teams frequently challenging for titles.
Wenger secured the league title in the 1997/98 season and continued building a formidable squad, culminating in an Invincible season in 2003/04. Although he faced challenges such as Arsenal’s transition to the Emirates Stadium and fierce competition from Chelsea, Wenger’s record of seven FA Cup victories is remarkable even as the league title proved elusive in his later years.
