The manager of every Premier League runner-up since 1992

Remembering the losers

Everyone remembers the winners, so let's reflect on each Premier League runner-up's manager since the competition's inception in 1992.

Ron Atkinson, Aston Villa (92/93)

In the first season of the Premier League, Ron Atkinson led Aston Villa to a second-place finish behind Alex Ferguson's Manchester United by ten points. They were at the top with six games left but crumbled after losing their last three.

Alex Ferguson, Manchester United (94/95)

It was time for Ferguson to get a taste of second in the 94/95 season, losing out to Dalglish and Blackburn on the season's final day. Blackburn did lose away at Liverpool, but United could only manage a draw away at West Ham United.

Kevin Keegan, Newcastle United (95/96)

Kevin Keegan's Newcastle was beaten to the title by four points by Manchester United in the 1996 season, and it will always be famous for Keegan's "I'll love it if we beat them" speech. Unfortunately for Keegan, Newcastle drew against Nottingham Forest, and United beat Middlesbrough away to secure the league.

Kevin Keegan/Kenny Dalglish, Newcastle United (96/97)

During the 1996/97 season, Keegan managed Newcastle until January 1997, when Kenny Dalglish took over for the rest of the season. Dalglish only lost two games that season since his appointment, leading Newcastle to second place behind the superior Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson, Manchester United (97/98)

Manchester United were pipped to the Premier League by a point in the 1998 season, losing out to Arsenal. United entered March by opening up a 12-point gap at the top of the table, but a ten-game winning streak from Arsenal was enough to see them to the top of the table.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal (98/99)

Despite only losing four games in the season, Arsène Wenger's Arsenal team was beaten to the league by a point in 1999, losing out to Manchester United. Ferguson's team secured the title on the final day and beat Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal (99/00)

Arsenal's two wins in nine to start the new century cost them dearly in their title chances of defeating Manchester United in 2000. Despite the signing of Thierry Henry, Wenger's men were beaten to the top by 18 points. It was a one-horse race.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal (00/01)

For the third consecutive year, Manchester United beat Wenger and Arsenal to the top spot, losing out by ten points. Thierry Henry scored 17 league goals in the campaign, and it would be a sign of things to come.

Gerard Houllier/Phil Thompson, Liverpool (01/02)

Gerard Houllier suffered from a heart condition during the 01/02 campaign, with Phil Thompson stepping up and managing the side for five months. Liverpool used his illness as motivation for challenging for the league, with Liverpool top with five games to play. However, a loss to Tottenham in April ended their chances, and Arsenal won the league by seven points.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal (02/03)

Wenger's Arsenal lost out on the Premier League title by five points in the 2003 season. Manchester United finished on 83, and Arsenal finished on 78. Arsenal began 2003 at the top, but draws to Aston Villa and Bolton and a loss to Leeds United ended their chances.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal (04/05)

After creating an English record of 49 games unbeaten in the league, a defeat to Manchester United knocked Arsenal's confidence. Two draws and a defeat reinforced Chelsea's hold at the top of the league. José Mourinho's Chelsea only conceded 13 goals in the campaign, winning the league by 12 points.

Alex Ferguson, Manchester United (05/06)

After two finishes in third place, Manchester United improved slightly to second place in the 05/06 campaign, losing out to Chelsea by eight points. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 21 goals for United in the league, but a run of two wins in six over the new year cost Ferguson's men.

José Mourinho, Chelsea (06/07)

After two consecutive league titles, José Mourinho's Chelsea were beaten to the league by Manchester United, who won the title for the first time in four years. Chelsea finished the season with five draws and lost the league by six points.

Avram Grant, Chelsea (07/08)

Avram Grant was appointed Chelsea manager in September 2007 and led the team to a consecutive second-place finish behind Manchester United. That season, Chelsea lost to Manchester United in the Champions League final and the league.

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool (08/09)

With the deadly duo of Fernando Torres (14 goals) and Steven Gerrard (16 goals), Rafael Benítez had Liverpool challenging for titles again. Liverpool only lost two games all season, but 11 draws cost them the chance to defeat Manchester United to the top spot, and they finished four points behind.

Alex Ferguson, Manchester United (09/10)

Despite Wayne Rooney's 26 league goals for Manchester United, Ferguson's team was pipped to the league by Chelsea by a single point. The 2-1 home defeat in April to the eventual winners sealed their fate.

Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea (10/11)

Chelsea led the league for almost half the season, but a spell of two wins in 11 over the winter sealed their fate of not winning the league. Manchester United won the league by nine points, finishing on 80 points. Chelsea and Manchester City finished on 71.

Alex Ferguson, Manchester United (11/12)

After Manchester United beat Sunderland on the final day of the 2012 season and QPR winning against Manchester City in the 90th minute, it looked as though the title had been secured for Ferguson. However, a goal from Edin Dzeko and that Sergio Agüero goal was enough for City to pitch the league on goal difference.

Roberto Mancini, Manchester City (12/13)

The following season, Manchester United's Alex Ferguson got his perfect goodbye, winning the Premier League by 11 points to secure his final and 13th Premier League title. He beat Mancini's Manchester City, who didn't threaten their bitter rivals.

Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City (14/15)

Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini finished second to José Mourinho's Chelsea in 2015, finishing on 79 points to Chelsea's 87. City had a terrible spell over the new year, winning one game in six and gifting Mourinho's men the title.

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal (15/16)

Arsène Wenger's Arsenal missed out on winning the Premier League to the most significant sporting achievement in football history, losing out to Leicester City, who were 5000/1 odds at the start of the season. Leicester won the league by ten points, finishing on 81.

Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur (16/17)

With Dele Alli flourishing in midfield and Harry Kane scoring 29 league goals, Tottenham Hotspur pushed Chelsea to the Premier League title, but ultimately finished second. They scored 86 goals and conceded only 20, having the best attack and defence.

José Mourinho, Manchester United (17/18)

Per ESPN, José Mourinho once said, "One of the best jobs of my career was to finish second with Man United in the Premier League." That season, the 17/18 campaign, United finished with 81 points, and Manchester City reached 100.

Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool (18/19)

Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool was nearly perfect during the 2018/19 season. They finished with 97 points, but somehow lost to Manchester City, who finished with 98. They lost one game to Manchester City but went undefeated at home. This was the third-highest points total in league history, and they still didn't win it.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City (19/20)

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City were comfortably beaten by Liverpool during the 2019/20 season. City finished with 81 points to Liverpool's 99. Raheem Sterling scored 20 league goals for City, but losing nine games cost them their chances.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United (20/21)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had Manchester United playing incredibly expansive football during the 20/21 season. Bruno Fernandes starred as the club's leading presence in his first full season, scoring 18 league goals. They finished 12 points behind Manchester City.

Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool (21/22)

Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool were on the cusp of winning the first European quadruple, winning the League Cup and FA Cup, but they lost to Manchester City by a point in the league and to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. They recorded 92 points in the league.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal (22/23)

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal became serious challengers to Manchester City during the 22/23 season. The young talent of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli flourished to push City all the way. However, Arsenal ultimately lost by five points to City after losing two of their final three games.