Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher sparked controversy when he evaluated Jurgen Klopp as a greater manager than Arsene Wenger in the Premier League.
On the Stick to Football podcast channel, Carragher rated Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager in Premier League history. Over his eight-year tenure at Manchester City, the Spanish coach secured 17 titles, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, two FA Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
According to Carragher, Sir Alex Ferguson ranks as the second greatest manager, having won only one Premier League title in his first seven years at Manchester United. Ferguson, the most successful manager in Manchester United’s history, claimed 37 titles, including a record 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles, during his 27-year tenure.
Carragher placed Jose Mourinho third among the greatest managers, as he guided Chelsea to two Premier League titles in both his terms. However, the “Special One” failed to lead Manchester United and Tottenham to Premier League glory.
The most contentious point was Carragher’s evaluation of Klopp above Wenger, citing their Champions League achievements. While Wenger led Arsenal to the Champions League final in 2006 but lost to Barcelona 1-2, Klopp guided Liverpool to three Champions League finals in over eight years, winning once in 2019.
“I would rank Klopp above Wenger, solely because of the Champions League,” Carragher explained. “Arsenal couldn’t win it, while Klopp reached three finals, won once, and helped Liverpool compete evenly with Manchester City in the Premier League.”
On social media, Jack Wilshere challenged Carragher’s remarks. “Klopp helped Liverpool transform unbelievably, but Wenger’s legacy in the Premier League is unmatched,” the former English midfielder wrote. “Sorry, Carragher, but you’ve gone too far, please don’t be so biased and respect Wenger for what he has done over a very long time, including leading the only unbeaten club to win the Premier League.”
Wilshere also compared Wenger to Guardiola: “Everyone praises Guardiola’s achievements and how he changed the way we perceive football in England. But don’t forget Wenger had a similar impact when he arrived in 1996. He knows that era better than I do and witnessed it, so don’t forget that.”
Wenger managed Arsenal from October 1996 to May 2018, leading the club to three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and 20 consecutive years in the Champions League. Wenger’s contributions extended beyond professional achievements, as the former French manager reshaped football culture in England, implemented sports science policies for players, and played a significant role in building the London Colney training ground, which opened in October 1999. He also played a crucial role in Arsenal’s transition from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.
Klopp, who led Liverpool from 2015, won eight titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, FA Community Shield, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and two EFL Cups. The German manager recently departed Anfield due to exhaustion and a desire for rest.
