List of FA Cup–winning managers

The FA Cup, the oldest association football competition in the world, is a knockout tournament contested between teams in domestic English football since 1871.[1] Winning the competition was previously seen as an equal achievement to winning the league championship,[2] but the growing importance of the Premier League and UEFA Champions League has seen its importance diminish.[3][4] Managers, particularly those at Premier League clubs, tend to make tactical changes in the FA Cup and rotate their squads, owing to fixture congestion caused by rival competitions such as the Premier League and European tournaments.[5][6]
Arsène Wenger won seven FA Cups as manager of Arsenal, the most of any manager. George Ramsay won six FA Cups as manager of Aston Villa, while Alex Ferguson won five FA Cups as manager of Manchester United.[7] Four managers have won the FA Cup as a player-manager. John Cameron was the first to do so in the 1901 final, a game in which he scored.[8] Kenny Dalglish won two FA Cups as a player-manager in 1986 and 1989,[9] and Ruud Gullit was player-manager when Chelsea won the 1997 final.[10] Two managers have won the title with multiple sides: Billy Walker won as manager of Sheffield Wednesday in 1935 and Nottingham Forest in 1959, and Herbert Chapman won as manager of Huddersfield Town in 1922 and Arsenal in 1930.[11] Joe Mercer was the first person to win the FA Cup as a captain and a manager; captaining Arsenal to victory in 1950, and managing Manchester City to a victory in 1969.[12]
English managers have won the competition the most, with 76 wins by 50 different managers. Scottish managers are next with 32 wins by 17 different managers, and French managers are third with eight wins by two managers. Harry Redknapp was the last English manager to win the FA Cup, when he led Portsmouth to victory in the 2008 final.[13] Gullit became the first manager from outside the British Isles to win the FA Cup when he guided Chelsea to victory in 1997.[14]
FA Cup-winning managers
[edit]By individual
[edit]| Rank | Manager | Nationality | Wins | Winning Years | Club(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsène Wenger | 7 | 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017 | Arsenal | |
| 2 | George Ramsay | 6 | 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920 | Aston Villa | |
| 3 | Alex Ferguson | 5 | 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004 | Manchester United | |
| 4 | John Nicholson | 4 | 1899, 1902, 1915, 1925 | Sheffield United | |
| 5 | Charles Foweraker | 3 | 1923, 1926, 1929 | Bolton Wanderers | |
| Bill Nicholson | 1961, 1962, 1967 | Tottenham Hotspur | |||
| Pep Guardiola | 2019, 2023, 2026 | Manchester City | |||
| 9 | Thomas Mitchell | 2 | 1890, 1891 | Blackburn Rovers | |
| Jack Addenbrooke | 1893, 1908 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |||
| Arthur Dickinson | 1896, 1907 | The Wednesday | |||
| Harry Spencer Hamer | 1900, 1903 | Bury | |||
| Frank Watt | 1910, 1924 | Newcastle United | |||
| Herbert Chapman | 1922, 1930 | Huddersfield Town, Arsenal | |||
| Billy Walker | 1935, 1959 | Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest | |||
| Matt Busby | 1948, 1963 | Manchester United | |||
| Stan Cullis | 1949, 1960 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | |||
| Stan Seymour | 1951, 1952 | Newcastle United | |||
| Bill Shankly | 1965, 1974 | Liverpool | |||
| John Lyall | 1975, 1980 | West Ham United | |||
| Keith Burkinshaw | 1981, 1982 | Tottenham Hotspur | |||
| Ron Atkinson | 1983, 1985 | Manchester United | |||
| Kenny Dalglish | 1986, 1989 | Liverpool |
By nationality
[edit]| Rank | Country | Managers | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52 | 70 | |
| 2 | 20 | 13 | |
| 3 | 2 | 8 | |
| 4 | 4 | 6 | |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| 6 | 4 | 4 | |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Murray, Scott (29 May 2015). "A brief history of ... the rise and fall of the FA Cup, England's Super Bowl". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ Delaney, Miguel (14 May 2021). "'A national phenomenon': What the FA Cup final used to mean". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ Storey, Daniel (25 January 2019). "Who still cares about the FA Cup? We'll tell you..." FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ Johnston, Neil (25 April 2025). "FA Cup or Champions League qualification – which means more?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ O'Sullivan, Neil (17 December 2010). "What makes a great football manager?". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ↑ Pulis, Tony (9 January 2026). "If you're outside the top six, you can never target an FA Cup run". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
- ↑ "The Emirates FA Cup's most successful manager Arsene Wenger speaks of his pride". The FA. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "The Miracle of 1901". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Kenny Dalglish (First Spell)". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 23 December 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Hancock, Tom (10 November 2024). "Notable player-managers in English football". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 11 August 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Herman, Martyn (22 April 2018). "Mourinho says runners-up spot more important than Cup triumph". Reuters. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Joe Mercer". National Football Museum. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ Moore, Glenn (11 May 2013). "English managers are becoming poor relations of the top flight". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ Lea, Greg (24 May 2018). "How many of English football's first 20 foreign managers do you remember?". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ "Who Won What — FA Cup". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ Cox, Russell & Vamplew 2020, p. 205.
- ↑ Collett 2003, p. 21.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "George Ramsay". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ↑ Bushell, Mark (15 May 2004). "How Invincibles set benchmark of greatness". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ Slade 2013, p. 124.
- ↑ Slade 2013, p. 134.
- ↑ Slade 2013, p. 145.
- 1 2 "Jack Addenbrooke". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ↑ Slade 2013, p. 164.
- ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 18 April 1896". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ↑ "Nottingham Forest v Derby County, 16 April 1898". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ↑ "Sheffield United v Derby County, 15 April 1899". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ↑ "Bury v Southampton, 21 April 1900". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ↑ "STottenham Hotspur v Sheffield United, 27 April 1901". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Sheffield United v Southampton, 28 April 1902". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bury v Derby County, 18 April 1903". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Manchester City v Bolton Wanderers, 23 April 1904". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Everton v Newcastle United, 21 April 1906". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday v Everton, 20 April 1907". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Manchester United v Bristol City, 24 April 1909". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Newcastle United v Barnsley, 28 April 1910". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bradford City v Newcastle United, 26 April 1911". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Barnsley v West Bromwich Albion, 24 April 1912". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Burnley v Liverpool, 25 April 1914". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Sheffield United v Chelsea, 24 April 1915". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 23 April 1921". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Huddersfield Town v Preston North End, 29 April 1922". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United, 28 April 1923". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Newcastle United v Aston Villa, 26 April 1924". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
- ↑ "Sheffield United v Cardiff City, 25 April 1925". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City, 24 April 1926". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 3 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Cardiff City v Arsenal, 23 April 1927". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Blackburn Rovers v Huddersfield Town, 21 April 1928". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 3 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bolton Wanderers v Portsmouth, 27 April 1929". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "The Managers". Arsenal F.C. 26 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ↑ "West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City, 25 April 1931". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Newcastle United v Arsenal, 23 April 1932". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Everton v Manchester City, 29 April 1933". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Manchester City v Portsmouth, 28 April 1934". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion, 27 April 1935". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Sunderland v Preston North End, 01 May 1937". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Preston North End v Huddersfield Town, 30 April 1938". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 29 April 1939". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Derby County v Charlton Athletic, 27 April 1946". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Charlton Athletic v Burnley, 26 April 1947". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- 1 2 Hutchings & Nawrat 1995, p. 89.
- 1 2 Hutchings & Nawrat 1995, p. 33.
- ↑ "Newcastle United v Blackpool, 28 April 1951". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Newcastle United v Arsenal, 03 May 1952". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers, 02 May 1953". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "West Bromwich Albion v Preston North End, 01 May 1954". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Newcastle United v Manchester City, 07 May 1955". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Manchester City v Birmingham City, 05 May 1956". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Aston Villa v Manchester United, 04 May 1957". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United, 03 May 1958". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Nottingham Forest v Luton Town, 02 May 1959". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- 1 2 3 Hutchings & Nawrat 1995, p. 63.
- ↑ "Ron Greenwood dies aged 84". The Guardian. 9 February 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- 1 2 Hutchings & Nawrat 1995, p. 124.
- ↑ "Everton v Sheffield Wednesday, 14 May 1966". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ↑ "Former Albion boss dies". BBC Sport. 2 December 2002.
- ↑ "Chelsea v Leeds United, 29 April 1970". 11 v 11. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ↑ Hutchings & Nawrat 1995, p. 135.
- ↑ Glanville, Brian (3 February 2004). "Bob Stokoe". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- 1 2 Welch, Julie (20 April 2006). "John Lyall". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ "Lawrie McMenemy". League Managers Association. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ Motson 2005, p. 105.
- ↑ Hutchings & Nawrat 1995, p. 206.
- 1 2 "Keith Burkinshaw". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- 1 2 "Ron Atkinson". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ "Howard Kendall". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- 1 2 "Kenny Dalglish – Liverpool FC". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "John Sillett: July 1936 – November 2021". League Managers Association. 30 November 2021. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ "Bobby Gould". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Sir Alex Ferguson". Manchester United F.C. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "Terry Venables". National Football Museum. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ "Graeme Souness – Liverpool FC". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "George Graham". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ↑ Burton, Mark (21 May 1995). "Royle pays tribute to his solo `genius'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ Motson 2005, p. 121.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Arsène Wenger". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "Chelsea triumph in Wembley finale". BBC News. 20 May 2000. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ "Gerard Houllier – Liverpool FC". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ "Rafael Benitez – Liverpool FC". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ McKenzie, Andrew (19 May 2007). "Chelsea 1–0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (17 May 2008). "Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 January 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ Bevan, Chris (30 May 2009). "Chelsea 2–1 Everton". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ↑ "2010 FA Cup Final Match | Chelsea vs Portsmouth | FA Cup Finals". [www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk](https://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk). Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ "2011 FA Cup Final Match | Manchester City vs Stoke City | FA Cup Finals". [www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk](https://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk). Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ "2012 FA Cup Final Match | Chelsea vs Liverpool | FA Cup Finals". [www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk](https://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk). Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (11 May 2013). "Man City 0–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ Smith, Alan (21 May 2016). "Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United (aet): FA Cup final — as it happened!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (27 May 2017). "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ↑ Murray, Scott (19 May 2018). "Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United: 2018 FA Cup final — as it happened". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ↑ "Manchester City v Watford, 18 May 2019". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (1 August 2020). "Aubameyang double wins FA Cup for Arsenal". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (15 May 2021). "Leicester win FA Cup for first time". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (14 May 2022). "Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to win FA Cup and keep quadruple hopes alive". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (3 June 2023). "Ilkay Gundogan double settles 2023 FA Cup final". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (25 May 2024). "Ten Hag's Man Utd stun rivals to win FA Cup". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (17 May 2025). "Crystal Palace beat Man City to win FA Cup at Wembley". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (16 May 2026). "Chelsea 0–1 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
Bibliography
[edit]- Collett, Mike (2003). The Complete Record of the FA Cup. London: SportsBooks Limited. ISBN 978-1-89980-719-2.
- Cox, Richard; Russell, Dave; Vamplew, Wray (2020). Encyclopedia of British Football. London: Frank Cass Publishers. ISBN 0-7146-8230-6.
- Hutchings, Steve; Nawrat, Chris (1995). The Sunday Times Illustrated History of Football: The Post-War Years. London: Chancellor Press. ISBN 1-85153-014-2.
- Motson, John (2005). Motson's FA Cup Odyssey. London: Pavilion Books. ISBN 1-86105-903-5.
- Slade, Michael J. (2013). The History of the English Football League: Part One:1888–1930. London: Strategic Book Publishing. ISBN 978-1-62516-183-3.