The Premier League, often referred to as the English Premier League or the EPL, is the premier (top) division of league football in England. With an average annual audience of over 4.7 billion, it is the most-watched league in world football. Formed on February 20, 1992, the English Premier League was created by clubs in the Football League First Division.
From 1993 to 2001, the league was called the FA Carling Premiership. Barclays took over in 2001 and since then, it has been known as the Barclays Premier League. 49 clubs have played in the Premier League since 1992: 47 English and 2 Welsh clubs. The league conducted its season in 1992–93. It was initially composed of 22 clubs which has now been cut down to twenty.
Only eleven managers have lifted the coveted trophy since 1992 – Sir Alex Ferguson (Scottish), Jose Mourinho (Portuguese), Arsene Wenger (French), Carlo Ancelotti (Italian), Kenny Daglish (Scottish), Roberto Mancini (Italian), Manuel Pellegrini (Chilean), Antonio Conte (Italian), Claudio Ranieri (Italian), Pep Guardiola (Spanish) and Jurgen Klopp (German). Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in the competition, with thirteen Premier League titles to his name with Manchester United.
The following information is following the league’s inception in 1992:
1. Manchester United (13 Premier League titles)
Sir Alex Ferguson became the man who masterminded the triumph in the inaugural Premier League season, leading Manchester United to victory in the 1992-93 season. United went on to win titles in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013 – 6 more than Manchester City, who are second on the list. A total of 20 league titles are to United’s name – most by any English club in the top flight.
United owe a significant part of their success to Sir Alex Ferguson, the Scot, who held the reins at the club for a record 27 years. Surprisingly, United won all 13 of their titles in the Ferguson era and have fallen off significantly ever since his departure. The club is yet to win a Premier League title since his departure in 2013.
2. Manchester City (7 Premier League titles)
A takeover by Abu Dhabi royal and billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008 marked a new era at Manchester City. The side, who forever played second fiddle to their counterparts Manchester United, have gained significant ground on their rivals in recent years. Under Roberto Mancini, Manchester City sealed their first league title since 1968 with a victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day.
The title won in 2011/12 marked City’s first Premier League success, making them the fifth club to win the Premier League since its rebranding in 1992. In the 2013/14 Premier League season, City won their 2nd league title under Manuel Pellegrini.
After three years in charge of Bayern Munich, former FIFA World Coach of the Year, Pep Guardiola agreed to a move to Manchester City. The former Barcelona manager proceeded to mark an era at the club, which arguably saw City rise as the best team in Europe. In his debut season in 2016/17, Man City finished third and then, in the following campaign, broke the Premier League record for most consecutive wins, with 18 victories. City won two consecutive Premier League titles in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons under the former Barcelona manager.
After Liverpool lifted the trophy for the first time in their history in 2019/20, City established dominance in England’s top flight. They have also done a remarkable ‘3-peat’ in the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, becoming the first club to do so since Ferguson’s United. The club is currently third, halfway into the 2023/24 season.
3. Chelsea (5 Premier League titles)
After the English top flight was re-branded to the Premiership or Premier League, Chelsea Football Club won 5 Titles. They have also won one before when the League was simply known as the First Division.
The Blues won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, two League Cups in 2005 and 2007, and an FA Cup in 2007 under Jose Mourinho. Chelsea won the 2009/10 Premier League by a point over second-placed Manchester United under Carlo Ancelotti.
Shortly after Jose Mourinho’s return in 2013, the club won their 4th Premier League title and 5th overall league title in the 2014/15 season. The London side won their 5th Premier League title under defensive-style Italian manager, Antonio Conte.
4. Arsenal (3 Premier League titles)
French manager Arsene Wenger defined an era at Arsenal Football Club. The record-breaking manager led the club to its first title in the 1997/98 season, that too, over reigning champions Manchester United at Old Trafford. Their second instance came in 2002 when Arsenal completed the domestic double, by winning the FA Cup and the Premier League.
Their most iconic season was in 2003/04 when Arsenal claimed the title of ‘The Invincibles’. Under Arsene Wenger’s managerial prowess, the club went the entire season unbeaten, a record no other club has managed to achieve. The 2003/04 season in particular features several Arsenal legends such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Ray Parlour, and many more.
5. Blackburn Rovers-Leicester City-Liverpool (1 Premier League Title each)
Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League title in 1994/95, making them the second team to do so after Manchester United since 1992. Managed by Kenny Dalglish and led by Alan Shearer, they surpassed Manchester United on the final day, with Shearer scoring an impressive 34 goals that season.
Leicester City‘s 2015/16 title win is the most surprising among the three teams. Against 5,000-1 odds, under Claudio Ranieri’s guidance, they secured their first and only Premier League title in their 140-year history. Both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers have been relegated to the Championship in recent years.
Liverpool clinched their first-ever Premier League title under Jurgen Klopp. Despite finishing as runners-up in 2018/19, they dominated the 2019-20 season, overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic break to set records like the most consecutive home wins (24) and the largest point lead. Klopp played a crucial role in Liverpool’s success, matching the Premier League record of 18 consecutive wins.
In case you missed it:
ncG1vNJzZmiemafAtb%2FPqKmtsl6YvK57xKeepaGjnXqkuNSbqmavmam1brnOrKtmqKKauqqx0WajnpmXqrJuwMito56rXw%3D%3D