WATCH: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta names the GOAT managers in football

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta recently revealed who he thinks are the GOAT managers in football.

Mikel Arteta ranks Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti as GOAT managers. (Via X/@ManagingMadrid, Cityzens10 & Gooners13)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been in the limelight for a long list of reasons. From touchline bans to heated remarks at officiating, the Spaniard is a character to be reckoned with. However, the football news platform ‘GOAL’ managed to bring out the ‘good’ side of the manager as he shared his take on legendary managers in football. Even though he gave prominent managers the recognition they deserved, there were a few surprises nonetheless.

The Arsenal boss was asked to place managers between the categories of GOAT, innovator, drill master, and master tactician. Starting with Carlo Ancelotti, Arteta quickly placed him in the GOAT category. He lauded the Italian for his ability to bring success in several leagues while also enjoying European success with multiple teams as well. “He’s one of the best, if not the best“, opined Arteta.

Shifting his attention to one of his predecessors, Arteta placed Arsene Wenger as one of the innovators in English football. He credited the manager with ‘changing’ English football while also having a good laugh about how he asked everyone to stop drinking beer. He did not reserve any praise for himself while talking of Manchester City boss and former boss Pep Guardiola.

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Fewest games needed to reach 100 Champions League wins:

◉ 160 – Pep Guardiola
◎ 180 – Carlo Ancelotti
◎ 184 – Sir Alex Ferguson

All eyes on that third #UCL trophy.? pic.twitter.com/nr6zYXYcE4
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 17, 2023

The Arsenal gaffer worked under Guardiola as assistant manager for several seasons before leaving to join Arsenal. Arteta placed him alongside Ancelotti in the GOAT category for the way Pep has influenced the game over the years. He pointed to the 2009 Barcelona side and the success they enjoyed. Many still claim that Pep and Arteta have a ‘master’ & ‘apprentice’ relationship.

Arteta with high praise for Mourinho and Marcelo Bielsa

Mikel Arteta revealed that he only has respect for former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. The ‘Special One’ was labeled as a master tactician, owing to his ingenuity and for being one of the few who have done it in multiple Leagues. Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa was instantly put into the category of master tactician.

Jose Mourinho and Marcelo Bielsa were also heavily praised by the Arsenal boss (Via X/@Football__Tweet & CentreGoals)

The Argentine is known for his harsh and difficult training sessions, dubbed ‘murderball’ by supporters. Arteta lauded his transformation of Leeds and the Chilean National team. United legend Sir Alex Ferguson was undoubtedly placed into the GOAT category after Arteta looked back at his record 13 Premier League titles at the club. He also called him a “special man” for changing the mentality at United and staying at the club for so long.

Have you ever wondered what Marcelo Bielsa's World Famous Murderball practice is? Wonder no more. Hire up the volume and listen to Leeds United player Luke Ayling explain. There is also a visual here to show exactly what the game is.

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For Arteta, Arsenal are currently 3rd in the Premier League. The manager will now ready his team to face Nottingham Forest after a thrilling 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace earlier on the weekend. That being said, the club has a mammoth task in front of them if they are to catch up to table toppers Liverpool and defending champions Manchester City, who are second, but level on points.