Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino and West Ham United’s Slaven Bilic are included in the top six, alongside Leicester, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Everton managers.
The results from HITC Sport’s poll looking at the best Premier League managers of 2016 are in. But did your club’s boss make it into the top six?
6. Ronald Koeman (Southampton and Everton)
After guiding Southampton to a sixth place finish in 2016 – their highest finish since the start of the Premier League era – Ronald Koeman was snapped up by Everton who were hoping that he could propel them up the table after a disappointing time under Roberto Martinez. As the curtain came down on 2016, it certainly appeared that the Merseyside club were heading in the right direction.
5. Slaven Bilic (West Ham)
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
It is perhaps a slight surprise to see Slaven Bilic’s name in the top five based on how the first half of this season has gone for West Ham, but it is fair to say that his first season in the Hammers dugout was a success as he guided them to a Europa League qualification spot by finishing seventh.
4. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
Few outside of Bournemouth would have backed Eddie Howe to keep the Cherries up in their first season in the Premier League. However, those who have watched them closely over the last few years would have probably sensed that Howe stood a better chance than anyone else of establishing the side as a top flight stalwart. 2016 not only saw Bournemouth secure a second season in the top flight, but it also ended with the south coast club well clear of the bottom three heading into the second part of the 2016-17 season.
3. Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
2016 saw Mauricio Pochettino lead Tottenham to a position where they are now considered to be genuine title contenders. Spurs were the last team standing between Leicester City and the trophy last term, and they are very much in the mix for a top four spot this time around. The fact that Chelsea have created such daylight to the chasing pack this term is perhaps why he is sat down in third.
2. Claudio Ranieri (Leicester City)
Incredibly, the man who guided Leicester City to the Premier League title that practically no-one saw coming has only been voted the second best manager of 2016 by HITC Sport readers. The Italian’s appointment – in 2015 – was largely ridiculed, and few expected them to stay up, let alone go into 2016 as title contenders. But they pulled away and won the race fairly comfortably in the end. Leicester’s struggles in the league this year – which could be partly put down to their Champions League success – is perhaps why he is not sitting in top spot.
1. Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
There is no denying that Liverpool supporters have taken to the German.
It is impossible not to appreciate the transformation that Liverpool have gone through since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival. The style of football is often brilliant to watch and you are virtually always guaranteed an exhilarating game when the Reds are in town. His refreshing attitude is perhaps why he has managed to win the vote amongst the readers, but it would not be a surprise if his cause was helped by trophies in future years.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
