Poll: Best Premier League manager 2016?

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The Leicester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton managers have all been nominated in HITC Sport’s top boss poll.

HITC Sport’s poll for Best Manager of 2016 is upon us, and it may be an easy or difficult opinion depending on how you look at the year. The Premier League has been able to attract some of the very best managers in the world today with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho all leading a side this season. However, none of the three feature in this poll having only just been installed as managers at their present club. The six nominated bosses below have caught they eye over the last year and have led teams with a range of skill levels to success this in 2016.

Claudio Ranieri

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri

The Leicester man masterminded one of the greatest shocks in sporting history as he led the Foxes to the Premier League title. Leicester ended 10 points clear of Arsenal at the end of the season. This campaign has been far more difficult for the manager as, at the time of publishing, the Foxes currently sit in 16th place, but his title winning campaign last time around means he more than deserves a nomination.

Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp

Klopp took some time to get used to managing in the Premier League, but he has been cultivating a team that looks like title contenders this term. Liverpool currently (at the time of writing) sit in third place with 30 points, four short of Chelsea at the top, while last season they finished in eighth place, 21 points off the top. It is clear that the manager’s continued improvement is aiding the Reds, who look like a force to be reckoned with again with their high tempo and all action style.

Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino masterminded a near miss in the title race last season as his Tottenham side defied expectation to be Leicester’s main title contenders last term. Pochettino oversaw his team taking 70 points last season and, even though they were usurped to second by Arsenal, it was a huge statement. While they have struggled a little this term, Pochettino is continuing to prove his managerial ability in the most competitive league in the world, and will still have hopes that the North Londoners can break into the top four again.

Eddie Howe

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe

Howe led Bournemouth to a 16th placed finish in last season’s Premier League after it had been widely agreed upon that the Cherries would be one of the first to get relegated last season. Instead, he allowed his team to continue their style of football which impressed on more than one occasion. This term, they find themselves in 10th place with 18 points, seven clear of Sunderland in 18th. Howe was linked with the England job this year and many tout him as the successor to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, such is the ability he has shown.

Ronald Koeman

Everton manager Ronald Koeman

First with Southampton, now with Everton, Ronald Koeman continues to help his teams excel in the Premier League. He helped the Saints to a sixth place finish last term, ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea, while he is currently getting to grips with the Toffees this term. They have struggled of late, however, they still find themselves in a strong position with 20 points already. Koeman is another man that is proving just how good a manager he is.

Slaven Bilic

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

Bilic had a phenomenal start to the year, before it turned sour in the latter part of 2016. He was able to guide the Hammers to seventh place in the Premier League last season as they picked up 62 points, meaning they finished two points above Liverpool. This season though, it has been an entirely different story. The East London side have struggled and find themselves in 17th place, however, this should not take away from his achievements this year as he made West Ham a real contender for European places last campaign.