Tottenham Hotspur have had some of the most influential managers in English football history. From the early Southern League years to the modern Premier League era, Spurs managers have shaped the club’s identity — blending attacking football with European ambition.

In this article, we rank the top 10 Tottenham Hotspur managers by win percentage, using official competitive match records. While trophies define legacy, win ratio gives us a clear statistical measure of managerial efficiency across different eras.

1. Frank Brettell (1898–1899)

Games: 52
Wins: 34
Win Ratio: 65.38%

Frank Brettell was Tottenham’s first official manager and still holds the highest win percentage in club history. Although his tenure lasted just one season, he helped lay the professional foundations for the club at the end of the 19th century. Spurs were transitioning from amateur to professional status, and Brettell’s strong record set the tone for early success. While silverware did not define his short spell, his statistical dominance keeps him at the top of this list.

2. Arthur Turner (1942–1946)

Games: 49
Wins: 27
Win Ratio: 55.10%

Arthur Turner managed during World War II, a unique and disrupted period in English football. Competitive structures were altered, and official league football was suspended for much of his tenure. While direct comparisons with modern managers are difficult, Turner maintained strong results under extraordinary circumstances, securing the second-highest win percentage in Tottenham history.

3. André Villas-Boas (2012–2013)

Games: 80
Wins: 44
Win Ratio: 55.00%

Often underrated, André Villas-Boas delivered one of the strongest Premier League campaigns in Spurs history. In the 2012/13 season, Tottenham amassed 72 Premier League points, which at the time was a club record. Despite narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification, AVB’s tactical discipline and structured approach produced an impressive win rate. His tenure ended abruptly in late 2013, but statistically, he remains one of the most efficient modern-era Spurs managers.

4. Mauricio Pochettino (2014–2019)

Games: 293
Wins: 159
Win Ratio: 54.27%

Mauricio Pochettino is widely regarded as one of the most transformative Tottenham Hotspur managers in modern history, having led Spurs to the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, secured multiple top-four Premier League finishes, and overseen a sustained Premier League title challenge as runners-up in the 2016/17 season. He also developed world-class players including Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Son Heung-min, while transitioning the club from White Hart Lane to the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium era. His impressive win percentage over a tenure of 293 games stands out as elite among long-serving managers.

5. Antonio Conte (2021–2023

Games: 76
Wins: 41
Win Ratio: 53.95%

Antonio Conte arrived in November 2021 and immediately improved Tottenham’s league form, securing Champions League qualification in 2021/22, stabilising Spurs during a turbulent period, and producing one of the strongest half-season turnarounds in club history. Although his tenure ended in dramatic fashion in 2023, his 53.95% win rate ranks among the best in Tottenham history and one of the strongest in the Premier League era.

6. John Cameron (1899–1907)

Games: 570
Wins: 296
Win Ratio: 51.93%

John Cameron was one of Spurs’ earliest legendary figures. Most notably, he led Tottenham to the 1901 FA Cup, making Spurs the only non-League club to win the FA Cup since the formation of the Football League. With 570 matches in charge, Cameron’s longevity combined with a win rate above 50% is remarkable for the era.

7. José Mourinho (2019–2021)

Games: 86
Wins: 44
Win Ratio: 51.16%

José Mourinho brought experience and tactical pragmatism to North London, guiding Spurs to a League Cup Final (2021) and achieving consistent league form during transitional squad phases. He also reignited Harry Kane and Son Heung-min as one of Europe’s most prolific attacking partnerships. Despite being dismissed before the League Cup Final, Mourinho maintained a strong win percentage above 51%.

8. David Pleat (Multiple spells)

Games: 118
Wins: 59
Win Ratio: 50.00%

David Pleat had several spells in charge across different periods (1986–1987, 1998, 2001, 2003–2004). While he did not oversee a dominant era, his 50% win record reflects steady management during transitional phases at the club.

9. Tim Sherwood (2013–2014)

Games: 28
Wins: 14
Win Ratio: 50.00%

Sherwood’s short tenure delivered a statistically strong return. Although his time in charge was brief, he achieved a 50% win rate and provided opportunities to emerging players, including Harry Kane.

10. Harry Redknapp (2008–2012)

Games: 198
Wins: 98
Win Ratio: 49.49%

Harry Redknapp revitalised Tottenham during a critical period, leading Spurs to their first modern Champions League qualification (2009/10) and reaching the Champions League Quarter-Finals (2010/11). He transformed the club into consistent top-four contenders, and while his win ratio sits just under 50%, his impact on Tottenham’s Premier League status was significant.

What Do These Tottenham Manager Win Ratios Tell Us?

Several themes emerge: early-era managers dominate the very top statistically due to smaller fixture volumes, while modern managers like Pochettino and Conte boast strong win rates against far tougher domestic and European competition. Longevity matters, as sustaining a 50%+ win ratio over 250+ games is far more challenging than over 50 games. When ranking purely by win percentage, Frank Brettell leads, but when combining win ratio, longevity, and achievement, Mauricio Pochettino arguably stands out as Tottenham’s most impactful modern manager.

The Bottom 10 Tottenham Hotspur Managers by Win Ratio

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed legendary managerial spells, but like any club, some periods in the dugout were far more challenging. By looking purely at win percentage across all competitive matches, we can identify the managers who struggled most at Spurs.

Here’s a detailed look at the 10 managers with the lowest win rates, including tenure, key context, and notable achievements.

1. Ossie Ardiles (1993–1994)

Games: 65
Win Ratio: 30.8%

Argentine legend Ossie Ardiles struggled to translate his playing success into managerial results. Despite promoting attacking football and mentoring young talent, he won only around 31% of his matches, marking one of the lowest win rates in club history.

2. Jacques Santini (2004)

Games: 13
Win Ratio: 30.8%

Santini’s brief stint was challenging, with only four wins in 13 competitive matches. He resigned citing personal reasons, leaving behind a very low win percentage despite ambitious tactical ideas.

3. Christian Gross (1997–1998)

Games: 33
Win Ratio: 33.3%

The Swiss manager lasted just one season. Gross’s tenure was marked by flashes of attacking promise but inconsistent performances left him with a win ratio of just over a third of matches.

4. Thomas Frank (2025–2026)

Games: 38
Win Ratio: 34.2%

Frank’s recent spell saw Spurs struggle to find consistency. With only 34.2% of matches won, it represents the lowest win rate for a modern manager with a substantial number of games. Squad cohesion and adaptation to Premier League demands proved difficult.

5. Billy Minter (1927–1930)

Games: 109
Win Ratio: 37.6%

Minter managed Spurs during the interwar years. While football was very different, he maintained less than a 38% win rate over three seasons, a tough period for the club.

6. Juande Ramos (2007–2008)

Games: 54
Win Ratio: 38.9%

Despite winning the 2008 League Cup, Ramos had poor league form, leaving him with a sub-39% win percentage. His tenure demonstrates the difference between cup success and league consistency.

7. Glenn Hoddle (2001–2003)

Games: 104
Win Ratio: 39.4%

Hoddle returned to Spurs as a manager after a stellar playing career. While he introduced attractive attacking football and nurtured young players, he struggled to maintain consistent results, finishing under 40% wins.

8. George Graham (1998–2001)

Games: 126
Win Ratio: 39.7%

Graham, known for defensive organisation, could not translate his style into high win percentages at Spurs. Despite his experience, inconsistent attacking output left his win rate below 40%.

9. Ange Postecoglou (2023–2025)

Games: 101
Win Ratio: 41.0%

The Australian manager focused on a possession-based style. While the team showed stylistic improvement, results were inconsistent, giving him a 41% win ratio across two seasons.

10. Gerry Francis (1994–1997)

Games: 119
Win Ratio: 44.5%

Francis had one of the longer tenures among Spurs’ “bottom 10” win ratios. He kept the team competitive in the Premier League but never achieved the consistency needed to rank higher, ending just under 45% wins.

Key Insights

Short spells can distort stats; for example, Santini and Gross suffered from small sample sizes. Moreover, the dynamics of cup versus league performance highlight how a trophy can coexist with a low win ratio, as seen with Ramos. Context is crucial, as Minter and other early 20th-century managers navigated very different footballing landscapes compared to today. Furthermore, even highly regarded managers like Postecoglou and Frank find themselves on the list due to transitional periods and the challenges of adapting to modern football.

Conclusion:
While win percentage highlights statistical struggles, it doesn’t tell the full story. Managers like Ramos won a trophy, Postecoglou improved the playing style, and early-era bosses like Minter faced very different football landscapes.

FAQs

Who is Tottenham’s most successful manager by win percentage?
Frank Brettell holds the highest win ratio at 65.38%.

Who has the highest win rate in the Premier League era?
André Villas-Boas (55.00%) narrowly edges Mauricio Pochettino (54.27%) and Antonio Conte (53.95%).

Which Tottenham manager had the longest tenure with a 50%+ win rate?
Mauricio Pochettino, with 293 games and a 54.27% win ratio.