Tuesday, February 18, 2014

6 of the Best Assistant Managers in Premier League History

Football management is often credited as one of the toughest jobs in the world. That's why, when a team does earn success, managers quite rightly take a lot of the glory.

Since the Premier League was founded in 1992, it has seen a host of great managers, but every successful boss needs a number two to help manage any side.

For every Jose Mourinho there's a Steve Clarke and for every Arsene Wenger a Pat Rice. 

Here's a list of some of the best assistants in the league's history.

6. Kevin Bond
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28:  Manager, Harry Redknapp (R) and his assistant Kevin Bond look on during the Tottenham Hotspur Training session held at Spurs Lodge training ground on September 28, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
As Harry Redknapp's loyal sidekick, Bond has worked with the QPR manager at Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham and now with the R's.

A brief foray into management with Bournemouth between 2006 and 2008 was unsuccessful and Bond is at his best working as an assistant. It's arguable that Redknapp's success, particularly at Spurs, was partly down to the influence of the 56-year-old.


5. Steve Round

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09:  Manchester United manager David Moyes watches his team from the dug out with Steve Round and Phil Neville during the Rio Ferdinand Testimonial Match between Manchester United and Sevilla at Old Trafford on August 9, 2013 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
After a playing career ruined by injury, Round (right) has certainly made up for it with his coaching career.

He joined Everton as David Moyes' assistant in 2007 and has never looked back as Moyes' success on Merseyside saw him hand picked by Alex Ferguson to replace him at Manchester United.

Such was Round's stock that he was touted to replace Moyes as Everton boss. Instead, he joined him at Old Trafford.

At 43, he's one of the youngest assistants in the league. Expect him to take a top job sooner rather than later.

4. Steve Clarke

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LONDON - JANUARY 23:  Jose Mourinho (L) the Chelsea manager and his assistant Steve Clarke (R) watch from the dugout during the Carling Cup Semi Final 2nd leg match between Chelsea and Wycombe Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2007 in London, England.  (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Before taking the plunge into management at West Bromwich Albion, Clarke was known as one of the best assistants around.

Having assisted Ruud Gullit's doomed tenure at Newcastle United, Clarke was briefly a caretaker manager at St James' Park before moving to Chelsea.

Eventually becoming Jose Mourinho's assistant in 2004, Clarke helped the club to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups over three seasons.

Following Mourinho's departure, Clarke joined Gianfranco Zola at West Ham, before assisting Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool.

Clarke's move into management started well at West Brom, before his surprise sacking in December.

3. Ray Harford

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 14:  (FILE PHOTO)  Kenny Dalglish the manager of Blackburn Rovers celebrates with his staff of Ray Harford and Tony Parkes after winning the Premiership trophy during the FA Carling Premiership match against Liverpool played at Anfield in Liverpool, England.  Harford the 58-year-old former Blackburn Manager died August 9, 2003 after a long fight against cancer.  (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
One of the forgotten names of the Premier League, Harford (right) helped Kenny Dalglish lift the Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers in 1995 and was acknowledged as one of the finest coaches around.

The season after, Harford took over the reigns from Dalglish, but his time as a manager at Blackburn, as well as West Brom and QPR, was largely frustrating.

Harford is mostly remembered for his success with Dalglish, as well as briefly assisting Bobby Gould at Wimbledon.

He died in 2003, aged 58, after a battle with cancer.

2. Steve McClaren

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5 Jan 2000:  Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Steve McClaren during traning in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where Manchester United will play their matches. Mandatory Credit: Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT
McClaren is much maligned following his disastrous spell as England manager, but many Manchester United fans remember him fondly from his time as Alex Ferguson's number two.

Ferguson had a few excellent assistants, notably Carlos Queiroz and Mike Phelan, but McClaren's impact is possibly the most impressive.

Arriving in 1999 as a complete unknown, the former Derby County assistant helped United to what is still their most successful season ever. Famously winning the Champions League, Premier League and the FA Cup in an historic treble season.

He was also assistant as United retained the league title in 2000. He left the club to manage Middlesbrough the following year.

1. Pat Rice

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20:  Arsenal assistant manager Pat Rice shouts orders to his team during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on August 20, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
44 years at Arsenal alone is an incredible effort.

Few embody the spirit of the Gunners more than Pat Rice. Having made 397 appearances as a player for the club, the only position Rice never held at Arsenal was that of manager.

He is most well-known as Arsene Wenger's right hand man from 1996-2012, overseeing three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, including the incredible 2003-4 season as Arsenal failed to lose a single league game.

Rice retired in 2012 after being diagnosed with cancer. With his record as a determined winner, expect the Northern Irishman to put up a stoic fight in this latest challenge.

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