Top five managers with most FA Cup trophies

The Football Association Cup, commonly referred to as the FA Cup, is regarded as one of the most esteemed trophies in English football. Its inception dates back to the 1871-1872 season, during which it has seen a multitude of champions emerge. Arsenal holds the record for the most titles, having won the cup 14 times, closely followed by Manchester United, which has secured the trophy on 13 occasions.

In this article, let’s take a look at the top five managers who have won most FA Cups.

5. Bill Nicholson – 3

Tottenham Hotspur has indeed not secured a major trophy since 2008; however, the circumstances were markedly different during the 1960s. Bill Nicholson, a former player for Tottenham Hotspur, played a pivotal role in the club's success during that era. Under his leadership, Spurs achieved their first FA Cup victory in the 1960-1961 season, a remarkable year that also saw them clinch the Football League Championship, thereby completing a historic double.

In the subsequent year, Tottenham Hotspur secured the FA Cup for the 1961-1962 season. Bill Nicholson then achieved his third and final FA Cup victory with Tottenham during the 1966-1967 season, where the team triumphed over Chelsea in the first-ever final contested exclusively by London clubs.

4. John Nicholson – 4

Sheffield United had quite some history under John Nicholson back in the day from the 1890s to 1925. During this time, the club won a multitude of trophies. Nicholson's tenure lasted nearly three decades, during which he guided Sheffield United through one of its most prosperous periods. An interesting fact is that Nicholson was not their ‘manager’ during his 30 year tenure but was employed as a club secretary. This was because Sheffield United did not appoint a manager during that time.

John Nicholson led Sheffield United to six finals, securing victory in four of those matches (1899, 1902, 1915, 1925). His most significant triumph in the Cup occurred during the 1898-1899 final, where Sheffield United achieved a 4-1 victory over Derby County. Additionally, a notable win was recorded in the 1914-1915 FA Cup final, in which Sheffield United defeated Chelsea with a score of 3-0.

3. Sir Alex Ferguson – 5

Sir Alex Ferguson is regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential managers in football history. His tenure at Manchester United was unparalleled, showcasing a period of sustained dominance that resulted in the acquisition of numerous titles. During his time with the club, Ferguson secured five FA Cup championships.

In the 1989-1990 season, Sir Alex Ferguson had just completed three years as a manager at Manchester United. Throughout this time, he did not secure any significant trophies and narrowly avoided relegation on one occasion. The 1990 FA Cup marked his first major title.

Ferguson's Manchester United triumphed over Crystal Palace with a score of 1-0 in a replay, following a thrilling initial encounter that concluded in a 3-3 draw. The coach secured his second FA Cup title in 1994, decisively defeating Chelsea 4-0 in the final match. Subsequently, it became a common occurrence for Manchester United to consistently compete for major titles. Under Sir Alex Ferguson's leadership, the club claimed the FA Cup three additional times in 1996, 1999, and 2004.

2. George Ramsay – 6

Aston Villa experienced a remarkable period in their history, during which they won six FA Cup victories and reached the finals on eight occasions. This success was achieved under the management of George Ramsay, who is regarded as one of the most accomplished managers in the annals of English football.

Aston Villa secured their first FA Cup title during the 1886-1887 season, triumphing over West Brom with a score of 2-0 in the final match. Subsequently, the club achieved further victories in the FA Cup during the 1894-1895, 1896-1897, 1904-1905, 1912-1913, and 1919-1920 seasons. In total, Aston Villa has claimed seven FA Cup titles throughout its history, with six of these victories occurring under the management of George Ramsay.

1. Arsène Wenger – 7

Arsenal holds the distinction of being the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup, having secured the trophy on 14 occasions. Among these 14 titles, seven were achieved during the tenure of Arsène Wenger, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history.

Arsène Wenger won his first FA Cup at Arsenal in 1998 beating Nottingham Forest in the final. This made him the first foreign manager to win the double. Wenger won his second FA Cup title in the 2001-2002 season beating Chelsea 2-0 in the final.

The FA Cup win alongside Arsenal winning the Premier League on the penultimate matchday ensured Wenger’s second double at the club. The following season, Arsenal also claimed the Cup, defeating Southampton in the final of the 2002-2003 season. Subsequently, Wenger achieved consecutive FA Cup victories with Arsenal once more during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports