The Coach: Rinus Michels deserves the honor of greatest coach in world soccer history for one simple reason - almost every coach since has adopted his strategy known as “total football”. The Dutchman was born in 1928 and he was an amazing player for Ajax (over 120 career goals). But, he is better remembered as an Ajax and NER manager.

The Career: After retiring from playing in 1958, Michels began coaching amateur sides. By 1961, he was back at Ajax as a coach, and he would later take the reins for Barcelona, the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL, and Bayer Leverkusen. He will be best remembered for creating Clockwork Orange, the behemoth Netherlands National Team.

The Trophies: Michels won the Dutch First Division title four times, the La Liga title once, and the 1969 European Cup. He also took the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup Final, a feat #3 on this list, Mr. Happel, would repeat in 1978. Though his trophy case is not as full as some managers’, he won many titles and got the most from the least.

The Influence: Michels compared football to war, and he was known as “The General” to his players. In 1999, he was named Coach of the Century by FIFA, largely because he invented “total football”, a strategy that calls for any player on the field to take over the position of another player if necessary. This innovation changed soccer forever, and for that reason, Michels is honored here as the greatest coach in world soccer history.

I hope you all have enjoyed my little jaunt through the best coaches in world soccer history. If I omitted one of your favorites (I likely did), or if you think my ranking is flawed (it likely is), let me hear about it in the comments. Until then, keep coming back to PLTO for the best news and commentary on the vast oceans of interwebs. Peace.

The Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson is #2? I know many of you must think I lost my marbles and he should be #1. But, I think someone just edges him out. Ferguson has undeniably been the most successful coach in world history though. He was a great player, but he is an even better manager and his trophy case is fuller than any coach’s in history.

The Career: Ferguson began his managerial career with East Stirlinghsire the same year he retired from playing. After having great success with Aberdeen, he became the coach of Manchester United in 1986. Well, 23 years later, Ferguson is still at Old Trafford. During that era, he has won more than 740 games and created a lasting dynasty.

The Trophies: Well, where do you begin? Ten Prem league titles. Five FA Cups. Two Champions League titles and a FIFA Club World Cup trophy. Champions League Manager of the Year. Eight-time EPL Manager of the Year. FIFA World Coach of the Year. I could go on, but I think you get the point. Sir Alex has more hardware than Home Depot.

The Influence: Ferguson sometimes is criticized as being overhyped because he has always had such a fine squad, and many experts have opined that any manager could have won the titles he has. Well, that is - to borrow an English word - bollocks. It’s hard to keep all the egos focused on a title instead of their individual stats. He has done it well for two decades now and won more trophies than anyone. He definitely deserves the #2 spot on this list.

The Coach: Bela Guttmann is the sixth best soccer coach of all-time in my opinion. Born in Budapest in 1900, Guttmann was a fine player for his National Team and for several clubs in New York during the 1920s. After he returned to Europe in the early 1930s, he established himself as one of the smartest coaches to ever manage a squad.

The Career: Guttmann managed 23 teams in his lengthy career (wow), meaning he usually never stayed with a club for more than two years. He had his first success in 1939 when he won the Hungarian league title. After many stops, he coached in Brazil where he introduced his 4-2-4 style. His biggest success would come in Portugal though.

The Trophies: Legend has it that Guttmann was at a barbershop when he met a young man named Eusebio, and he signed the player on sight and let him play for Benfica. With Eusebio’s help, Guttmann won two league titles and two European Cups (back-to-back). He had a great eye for talent, but an explosive temper (hence his short tenures).

The Influence: In many ways, Guttmann was the original prima donna coach. In fact, I would not hesitate to say that there would be no Jose Mourinho today if not for Guttmann. His 4-2-4 would also revolutionize soccer and would be adopted by Brazil, who used it to win the ‘58 World Cup. He was larger than life, and he deserves the #6 spot.

The Coach: Sir Bob Paisley was undisputably one of the greatest coaches in English history. Born in Sunderland in 1919, Paisley would pick up where #8 on this list, Sir Shankly, left off and would maintain the Reds’ amazing run of riches. Paisley was actually a fine player too for Liverpool, making over 250 appearances as a stifling defender.

The Career: Paisley was the man who took over for Shankly in 1974, and everyone knows it is extremely tough to follow a legend. But, Paisley was up to the task, and he would manage the team in nearly 500 games and win 275 games. He once said he had been with Liverpool through tough times too, like the year ”when they finished second”. 

The Trophies: Paisley’s Reds would win a whopping six First Division titles during his reign. He also led the team to a whopping three European Cup titles, which is quite a feat. He was named the Coach of the Year six times and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. Paisley taught his team to play as one, and they did to the tune of many wins.

The Influence: While many have said Paisley merely took advantage of Shankly’s strong foundation, I disagree. In reality, he took a solid team and made it impenetrable. He led Liverpool on a run of trophies that has rarely been matched in world history. I think he was better than his mentor, and that is why I have him here at #7 on this list.+

The Coach: Sir Bill Shankly is remembered as one of Britain’s finest football managers. Born in 1913 in Scotland, Shankly was a fine player too and appeared in over 300 matches. But, Shankly’s greatest achievement would be to make Liverpool into one of the great powers of world football. His 16 years with that club made him a legend.

The Career: Shankly actually began his managerial career with Carlisle United, and then moved on to Grimsby and Huddersfield before finally ending up at Liverpool in 1959. While at Liverpool, he coached over 750 games, winning nearly 400. He once said football was “more important than life and death”, and he very likely meant that sentiment.

The Trophies: Though later managers would capitalize from the behemoth Red machine he built, Shankly still won several trophies in his own right. In 1962, he helped Liverpool win the Second Division title and ascend into the First Division. Two years later, he won the First Division trophy too. Two years later, he would win it again. He was good.

The Influence: Shankly took a Second Division side and made it into the best team in the world in three years. Few managers have ever made so much out of so little. His influence would make Liverpool won of the best teams of the second half of the 20th Century. He deserves every accolade he is given, and he definitely deserves his spot at #8.

The Coach: Nereo Rocco is the ninth best coach in world history. The first proponent of the “catenaccio” style, he would forever change Italian football and become one of Serie A’s most legendary managers. He also was a fine player during his era. Born in Trieste in 1912, Rocco’s huge influence on the game outweighs almost every other managers’.

The Career: The first two Italian teams Rocco coached were small, but he took both to greater heights than they had ever been to before or since. In 1961, he got his big break and became the head coach of AC Milan. During his reign at Milan, he won hundreds of games and became known as “El Paron”, which is Italian for “The Master”.

The Trophies: Rocco won the Italian title and European Cup in 1963, and in 1969 he would repeat the Double. These were Milan’s first two European trophies, and they were linked to Rocco’s brilliant defensive tactics. Though his brief stay at Fiorentina would be lackluster, Rocco definitely made AC Milan into the powerhouse that it is today. 

The Influence: Rocco’s introduction of the catenaccio style of soccer to Italy makes him a genius in my book. While many fans have criticized that style as being too defensively-oriented and not “exciting” enough, in my opinion winning games is exciting, and Rocco always delivered wins. Thus, Rocco deserves his place at #9 on this list.

The Coach: Arsene Wenger barely makes this list at #10, but I think he deserves it. Born in France, Wenger’s career has taken him all over the globe where his tactics have resulted in the display of entertaining and efficient soccer. While he wasn’t a great player, he is indisputably a great manager and definitely one of the best in the world now.

The Career: Wenger made a name for himself at AS Monaco, but was released after a poor start in 1995. After a short stint in Japan, he has been at Arsenal ever since. Though he was initially greeted with displeasure, he has become a fan favorite, amassing over 400 wins in more than 700 league matches. Now, he’s loved by Gooners.

The Trophies: Wenger’s domestic championships with Arsenal are well-documented. He’s won three Prem titles, four FA Cups and was named EPL Coach of the Year three times. The only glaring problem with his resume is his lack of European trophies. He almost won a Champions League, but he failed. If not for that, he would be higher up.

The Influence: Wenger’s strategy has resulted in Arsenal becoming world renowned for their entertaining style of play. It’s not all about “beauty” for Wenger though, it’s also about tactical efficiency, which led to his becoming the only manager in the modern era to never lose a game for an entire EPL season. He’s good and deserving of the #10 spot.

Chelsea have announced that Guus Hiddink will take over as temporary coach until the end of the season. Hiddink, who will continue to coach the Russian national side, replaces Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was fired on Monday.

The Dutchman is currently in Turkey with the Russian squad and is likely to be a spectator at Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth round tie at Watford on Saturday, with the Premier League clash at Aston Villa on 21 February his first in charge.

“It’s never enough time to prepare a team in one week but this is an exceptional situation,” Hiddink added. “Chelsea have good players and they should be in top form and that should make my job easier.”

The Blues currently lie fourth in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand, with assistant Ray Wilkins coaching the team on an interim basis.

Hiddink, contracted to Russia until the end of the 2010 World Cup, said before his appointment that he only intended to help out until the end of the season.

“It’s a favour for a friend,” said the former Netherlands, South Korea and Australia coach, who has close ties to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Abramovich does so much for Russian football that I wanted to give something back. He called me personally.”

With Chelsea struggling for form, Hiddink revealed he planned to contact his predecessor Scolari within the next two days to discuss team matters.

Hiddink said he would not be bringing in new assistants “at this time” and regarding playing personnel, he added: “I always want to see the situation in the team myself first before making any changes if they have to be made.”

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is considered the favourite to take over on a permanent basis next summer.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has been sacked as Chelsea manager, the club announced on Monday afternoon. A statement on the club’s official website revealed the move had been made “to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for”.

Brazilian Scolari was appointed last summer as the replacement for Avram Grant.

The statement on the club’s official website added:

“Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined, and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon. Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for, we felt the only option was to make the change now. The search for a new manager has already started, and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.”

Assistant coach Ray Wilkins has been placed in temporary charge. More to follow on this huge story