Meet the seasoned maestros of the Premier League, the true legends who’ve turned touchline management into a timeless art! Take a stroll down the football history lane as we unveil the top 10 oldest maestros to grace the Premier League hot seat.
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Top 10 Oldest Premier League Managers:-
Here’s the Senior Squad of the Premier League’s Timeless Tacticians, Proving Age is just a Number in the Beautiful Game:-
1. Roy Hodgson – 76 Years, 129 Days Old
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (16th December 2023)
Roy Hodgson, the comeback king of the managerial world, pulled off a jaw-dropping return to the Crystal Palace dugout on April Fools’ Day 2023, and no, it wasn’t a prank!
After supposedly wrapping up his 45-year managerial career with Crystal Palace in 2020-21, Hodgson couldn’t resist the allure of the beautiful game. In a twist of fate, he made a surprise comeback with Watford in January 2022, hoping to work his magic and avoid the dreaded relegation. However, the veteran manager faced a tough challenge, and despite his efforts, Watford struggled under his guidance.
Hodgson’s brief stint at Watford saw them earn just nine points in 18 games, with a points-per-game average lower than even his predecessor, Claudio Ranieri. But fast-forward to March 2023, and fate intervened again. Crystal Palace parted ways with Patrick Vieira, and Hodgson, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, returned to steer the ship.
In a spectacular fashion, Hodgson’s return witnessed Crystal Palace securing a crucial victory over Leicester City, ending a 13-game winless streak. The game was a spectacle in itself, with 31 shots attempted—a joint club record since detailed shot data began in 2003-04.
The fairy tale continued as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s injury-time goal secured the victory, marking Crystal Palace’s second-latest Premier League winner on record. Hodgson, with his tactical prowess, guided the team to safety, securing an impressive 11th place finish.
Proving that age is just a number, Hodgson not only defied expectations but also inked a new one-year deal in the summer of 2023, setting the stage to etch new records with each passing game. The saga of Roy Hodgson, the eternal gaffer, continues in the 2023-24 season. The beautiful game indeed has a soft spot for its seasoned storytellers.
2. Bobby Robson – 71 Years, 192 Days Old
Newcastle United vs Aston Villa (28 August 2004)
In his final dance on the Premier League stage, the esteemed Bobby Robson took center stage at 71 years and 192 days old, orchestrating Newcastle’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa. Little did anyone know, this would mark the conclusion of his illustrious tenure as a top-flight manager in England.
Although it was only Newcastle’s second game of the 2004-05 season, the curtain fell abruptly as club chairman Freddy Shepherd opted for a managerial change, albeit with reasoning that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Robson’s legacy, however, extends far beyond this final act. Across 188 Premier League games, he notched up 83 victories, boasting a commendable points-per-game average of 1.60. This stint at Newcastle was just a chapter in his managerial odyssey, which included a remarkable 13-year tenure at Ipswich Town, crowned with a UEFA Cup triumph in 1981.
Robson’s managerial passport boasted stamps from Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, where he clinched major trophies and league titles with Porto and PSV Eindhoven. While silverware eluded him at Newcastle, his impact was indelible.
Taking the helm at Newcastle marked Robson’s last managerial hurrah, with his managerial journey commencing at the age of 66 years and 205 days—a testament to his enduring passion for the beautiful game. Notably, he missed joining the list by a mere 11 days, landing just shy of the age Sam Allardyce bid farewell to management in 2021.
Beyond the touchline, Robson’s legacy transcends trophies. The former Barcelona maestro may not have added silverware to Newcastle’s cabinet, but his imprint as one of England’s finest club managers and a revered England coach endures, immortalized by the Three Lions’ memorable 1990 World Cup performance.
In a poignant turn of events, Robson departed the football world in July 2009 at the age of 76, less than five years after his final managerial bow. His legacy lives on, etched in the annals of English football history.
3. Alex Ferguson – 71 Years, 139 Days Old
Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion (19 May 2013)
In a fitting finale to a legendary career, Sir Alex Ferguson, the maestro of Manchester United, orchestrated the only 5-5 draw in Premier League history in his 1,500th and final match as manager. The Scotsman, at the helm for 27 glorious years, bid adieu at the age of 71 years and 139 days, leaving an indelible mark on English football.
Ferguson’s managerial reign at Manchester United was nothing short of a dynasty, clinching an unparalleled 13 top-flight English league titles—more than double the tally of any other manager in the league’s history and seven more than his closest competitors. His swansong season in 2012-13 witnessed another title triumph, with the crown secured nearly a month before the memorable clash with West Brom.
Since Ferguson’s departure, Manchester United has navigated through managerial changes under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, and current boss Erik ten Hag. However, the Red Devils have yet to reclaim Premier League glory, highlighting the irreplaceable void left by their iconic leader.
Notably, Ferguson, standing tall as the oldest manager to win a Premier League title, outshines even managerial stalwarts like Bobby Robson and Roy Hodgson. To surpass this record, Pep Guardiola would need to be at the helm in 2042-44, while Jürgen Klopp could achieve it by 2038-39.
Ferguson’s legacy extends beyond records to sheer dominance, with the most wins (528) and points (1,752) in Premier League history. Only Arsène Wenger has managed more games (828) than Ferguson’s impressive 810, cementing the Scotsman’s place as a managerial titan. The echoes of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign continue to resonate, etching an everlasting chapter in the annals of football greatness.
4. Neil Warnock – 70 Years, 162 Days Old
Cardiff City vs Manchester United (12 May 2019)
Neil Warnock, the seasoned tactician, recently bid adieu to the second tier of English football, concluding his stint with Championship side Huddersfield Town at the age of 74 in September 2023. His departure came on the heels of a commendable feat—rescuing Huddersfield from the clutches of relegation in the 2022-23 season.
Now at 75, Warnock remains a subject of perpetual links to various EFL (English Football League) roles. However, the prospect of witnessing him in a Premier League dugout again seems rather improbable.
Reflecting on Warnock’s Premier League coaching journey, his final top-flight showdown occurred in May 2019, orchestrating a surprising 2-0 triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Despite Cardiff City’s prior relegation to the Championship, Warnock’s tactical prowess shone through, steering his team to a victory that marked their first triumph over Manchester United since April 3, 1954—an astonishing 65-year gap.
The heroics in that match were scripted by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s brace, etching Warnock’s name in Cardiff City’s history books. It’s a testament to Warnock’s enduring passion and strategic acumen that, even in the later stages of his managerial career, he could mastermind memorable moments that resonated with fans and defied the odds. As the curtain falls on his Premier League coaching days, Warnock’s legacy as a footballing sage persists in the annals of the beautiful game. His influence stretches beyond divisions, leaving an indelible mark on the clubs he guided. Neil Warnock, a sage on the touchline, continues to be a revered figure in the world of football.
5. Claudio Ranieri – 70 Years, 93 Days Old
Watford vs Norwich City (21 January 2022)
Claudio Ranieri, the seasoned tactician, etched his name in the Premier League history books as the fifth man aged 70-plus to command a team in a league game. His momentous occasion occurred on October 23, 2021, when he took the reins at Watford against Everton, orchestrating a spectacular 5-2 victory at Goodison Park.
However, Ranieri’s tenure at Watford proved to be a brief chapter, spanning just 112 days. Despite the initial triumph, he faced the harsh reality of managerial challenges and was relieved of his duties after only 13 matches and two wins. At the time of his departure, Ranieri held the title of the oldest manager in the Premier League at the age of 70.
As the calendar turned to October 2023, Ranieri embraced the role of the oldest manager in Serie A, having turned 72—an impressive feat that placed him two years and one month ahead of Empoli boss Aurelio Andreazzoli.
Ranieri’s managerial journey extends across top-flight football, with over 850 games under his belt in the Premier League, Ligue 1, Serie A, and La Liga. Notably, 227 of these games unfolded in the Premier League, spanning his tenures at Chelsea, Fulham, Leicester City, and Watford. The pinnacle of his managerial achievements remains the miraculous triumph with Leicester City in the 2015-16 season, where he defied all odds to secure the Premier League title—a fairy-tale achievement that resonates in football folklore.
6. Guus Hiddink – 70 Years, 189 Days Old
Guus Hiddink, the Dutch football maestro, experienced a gentle shift in the ranks of the oldest Premier League managers during the 2021-22 season. Once occupying the fifth spot, Hiddink gracefully ceded his position to Claudio Ranieri. The pivotal moment occurred when Hiddink, aged 69 years and 189 days, guided Chelsea in his final Premier League match against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in May 2016.
This last encounter marked the conclusion of Hiddink’s short-term stint as the boss of the Blues. After steering the ship for a brief period, he handed over the managerial reins to Antonio Conte, adding another chapter to his rich managerial history. While the ranking may have shifted, Hiddink’s influence and strategic prowess remain an integral part of the Premier League’s storied legacy.
7. Sam Allardyce – 68 Years, 221 Days Old
Sam Allardyce was brought in to rescue Leeds United from Premier League relegation last season. He took over from Javi Gracia on 3 May 2023, with only four games left. During his 30 days at the helm, Leeds secured just one point (W0 D1 L3), leading to their relegation to the 19th position. Allardyce, who was 68 years and 221 days old, managed his final game in the competition on 28 May 2023, a 4-1 loss to Spurs, making him the seventh oldest Premier League manager.
8. Arsène Wenger – 68 Years, 203 Days Old
Arsène Wenger holds the record for the most games managed in the Premier League with 828, yet he ranks as the eighth oldest manager to lead a match in the competition. His last game in charge featured Arsenal securing a 1-0 away win against Huddersfield Town in May 2018 when Wenger was 68 years and 203 days old. Despite his notable seven FA Cup victories, he couldn’t conclude his managerial tenure at Arsenal with an eighth triumph in the 2017-18 season.
9. Dick Advocaat – 68 Years, 6 Days Old
Dick Advocaat, the ninth oldest manager in Premier League history, assumed control at the age of 68 years and six days when he led Sunderland against West Ham in October 2015. However, just a day after this game, he resigned from the club as Sunderland struggled, being winless in eight top-flight matches during the 2015-16 season.
10. Harry Redknapp – 67 Years, 335 Days Old
In his final Premier League match as a manager, Harry Redknapp, aged 67 years and 335 days, saw his QPR side lose 3-1 to Stoke City in January 2015. He resigned shortly after, with QPR positioned in the relegation zone, and they eventually finished there, leading to relegation to the Championship. Over the course of his Premier League managerial career spanning 641 games, Redknapp had significant stints at West Ham United (269 games), but his most successful period was with Tottenham Hotspur, where Spurs averaged 1.74 points per game under his leadership.
Notably, Redknapp was over a year older than the 11th oldest Premier League manager of all time, Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa, at 66 years and 220 days old, managed his final Premier League match for Leeds United on 26 February 2022, resulting in a 4-0 loss to Spurs at Elland Road.
