Who are the best young managers in England?

If you look a list of Premier League managerial changes so far this year, you will notice that the vast majority of clubs will have swapped a British based manager for a foreign coach. It's time that some of the top flight teams take notice of some British managerial talent from the lower leagues for the sake of the English game.

Take a sample of five of England's best coaches in recent years. You'll probably end up with at least three of these names in your list:
Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Roberto Mancini.


To put it simply, there's not enough British talent coming up from the lower divisions - getting a chance at the top. This year there were a few shining lights that brought their respective teams up from the Championship to the Premiership. For example, Bryan McDermott at Reading and then Nigel Atkins at Southampton. Both coaches were displaced from their clubs before the end of the current season, and in one case, that of Southampton; a foreign coach was brought in to replace the displaced manager. Some argue that both managers should not have been fired so quickly.


It's a prime example of where British managers are just not being given enough opportunity at the top. Brendan Rodgers and Steve Clarke are some of a few coaches who have been given a unique opportunity to manage at the highest level, with Rodgers and Liverpool and Steve Clarke currently at WBA. In terms of the rest, David Moyes continues to linger at Everton, but it's inevitable that he will eventually end up at a bigger club in the near future. Chris Hughton is also a very popular manager at Norwich City, and famously saw Newcastle United to promotion at the first team of asking a few years back. He's doing well at Norwich now, as the Canaries continue to retain a mid-table spot.


So what about in the Championship? The first one that we have to mention is Malky Mackay who has ensured that Cardiff City have been promoted to the Premier League at the first effort. Then there's Paul Ince, who has taken charge at Blackpool and slowly but surely will see to a recovery at the stricken side. Darren Ferguson has his father Sir Alex Ferguson to thank for the lofty reputation he currently retains, as the Peterborough number 1 battles away trying to stave off relegation at The Posh this year. There's no doubt that Ferguson has it in the genes - he could be one to watch out for in the future.


Then there's the excellent Dougie Freedman at Bolton Wanderers. Prior to joining the Trotters he played and managed Crystal Palace successfully, and then later on Bolton's chairman Phil Gartside handed over the reins to Freedman, who has since taken the club from strength to strength. The team are currently in the play-off places for a promotion spot to the top flight.


How about the best foreign coaches, blooded in England? We think of Brighton, where Gus Poyet has taken over in style so far with the southern team. Brighton are currently in fourth place and undefeated in seven games, and pushing for promotion to the Premier League at the time of writing. It's been mentioned that Poyet could eventually even take over at his former club Chelsea. Poyet is not British, but he has been educated in England. The same can be said for Gianfranco Zola at Watford. Another former Blue.


In League One, Eddie Howe is working miracles at Bournemouth in his second spell at the club; the manager has spent the majority of his playing career with the Southern side, and now at aged 35 the former defender is ready to promote his team up to the Championship. A truly impressive accomplishment if he can achieve it this year, given the financial constraints at The Cherries. Then there's Walsall manager Dean Smith. The 42-year-old has been in charge at the club since 2011, and slowly but surely their fortunes are improving.


A few names who are already well known amongst football fans include Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate. The duo teamed up for England in defence back in the 90's, and now the two young managers are taking care of business amongst the best. Pearce currently manages England under-21 setup and also Team GB in the Olympics, where his team fought admirably amongst the best.


So, just who are the best young underrated British managers in the game according to eyefootball.com:
1) Steve Clarke
2) Chris Hughton
3) Dougie Freedman
4) Nigel Atkins
5) Bryan McDermott


Let's hope that in the years ahead, some of these names will have a chance to manage at some of the biggest teams in England; such as Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.