5 Managers to Win the Premier League in their First Season

Winning the Premier League is never easy,  doing it in your very first season is almost unheard of. Yet, over the past two decades, a handful of managers have pulled off this remarkable feat. 

It’s a club that even greats like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Arsène Wenger can’t claim membership to.

As of 2024, a new name has been added to that exclusive list: Arne Slot. The Dutchman’s impact at Liverpool was immediate and historic, guiding the Reds to glory in his debut campaign. But before Slot, only four managers had ever achieved the same. Here’s a closer look at this elite group.

José Mourinho – 2004-05

When José Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004, he was already being dubbed “The Special One” and he wasted no time living up to the nickname. Fresh off a Champions League win with Porto, Mourinho transformed a strong Chelsea side into an unstoppable machine.

Bringing in trusted players like Ricardo Carvalho and working with the likes of John Terry, Petr Čech, and Claude Makélélé, Mourinho built a defensive wall that few could break through. 

Chelsea set a then-record by conceding only 15 goals all season and amassing 95 points a level of dominance rarely seen before or since.

Carlo Ancelotti – 2009-10

Chelsea found themselves struggling to recapture Mourinho’s magic after he left, but that changed when Carlo Ancelotti arrived. The Italian maestro didn’t just rebuild Chelsea, he reimagined them.

Where Mourinho’s Chelsea was solid and ruthless, Ancelotti’s team was stylish and explosive. Scoring a record 103 goals and posting a staggering +71 goal difference, Chelsea stormed to the title and completed a domestic double by lifting the FA Cup. 

Though his time in England was brief, Ancelotti’s first season remains one of the most entertaining in Premier League history.

Manuel Pellegrini – 2013-14

After Roberto Mancini’s exit, Manchester City turned to Manuel Pellegrini to restore their title ambitions and he delivered instantly. Taking advantage of the turbulence at Manchester United following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Pellegrini’s City became the team to beat.

It wasn’t an easy ride, though. Liverpool, powered by a red-hot Luis Suárez, pushed them all the way. But crucial moments like Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip opened the door, and City edged their way to the title by just two points. Surprisingly, despite his long career, this remains Pellegrini’s only league title in Europe.

Antonio Conte – 2016-17

After a disastrous 2015-16 campaign where Chelsea finished 10th, Antonio Conte was brought in to revive the club  and what a revival it was.

Conte’s switch to a 3-4-3 formation proved a masterstroke, turning Chelsea into a relentless force. 

They racked up 30 wins, a record at the time, and lifted the Premier League trophy with two games to spare. Conte’s passion, tactical innovation, and no-nonsense approach breathed new life into Stamford Bridge.

Arne Slot – 2024

Now, joining this exclusive lineup is Liverpool’s Arne Slot. Taking over after Jürgen Klopp’s emotional departure, Slot faced immense pressure. Yet, he embraced it, crafting a team that played with energy, precision, and fearlessness.

Slot’s Liverpool not only reclaimed the Premier League crown but did so with a refreshing style that combined the high-pressing principles Klopp instilled with his own tactical tweaks. It’s a debut season that promises even more exciting chapters ahead.