There were some reservations when Arne Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool at the start of the season. Sure, he had won the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord, but so had Erik ten Hag at Ajax, and everyone saw how that story played out. The Premier League is the ultimate battleground in domestic soccer, requiring immense technical know-how and mental fortitude to succeed.
Slot, however, was confident in his ability from the beginning. Now, 11 matches in, he has etched his name in history, enjoying a record-breaking start in the English top flight. Read on to discover his ranking as we check out the top five managers with the most points after their first 11 Premier League matches.
#5 Maurizio Sarri (Chelsea): 27 Points
After impressing at Napoli, Maurizio Sarri got the much-deserved step up in his career in the summer of 2018, getting the opportunity to manage Chelsea. The Italian tactician got off to an electrifying start at Stamford Bridge, amassing 27 points from his first 11 Premier League matches. Impressively, Sarri’s team did not lose a single game in that period, recording eight wins and three draws. They had a goal difference of +19. Sarri’s Chelsea suffered their first defeat on Matchday 13, losing 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur.
The 4-1 triumph over Cardiff City on Matchday 5 was Chelsea’s biggest across the first 11 games. Eden Hazard bagged a brilliant hat-trick and Willian found the back of the net to secure the comfortable win for the West London club.
Chelsea finished third in the 2018-19 Premier League season with 72 points. Manchester City (98 points) and Liverpool (97 points) claimed the top two spots.
#4 Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea): 27 Points
Carlo Ancelotti, who is proudly managing Real Madrid for the last three seasons, enjoyed a successful stint at Chelsea between July 2009 and May 2011. In his first 11 matches, the Italian tactician recorded nine wins and two defeats. Wigan Athletic (3-1) and Aston Villa (2-1) were the two teams to beat the Blues during their fine run. Ancelotti’s Chelsea were ruthless as well as economical in that span, attaining a chart-topping +20 goal difference.
Chelsea recorded their biggest win against Bolton Wanderers on Matchday 10. An own goal from Gael Givet, a brace from Franck Lampard, and a goal each from Michael Essien and Didier Drogba propelled Chelsea to a 5-0 win.
Chelsea finished the 2009-10 season with 86 points, narrowly beating Manchester United (85) to win the Premier League title.
#3 Guus Hiddink (Chelsea): 28 Points
The third and final representative from Chelsea, Guus Hiddink enjoyed an explosive start to life at Stamford Bridge. Taking over from caretaker manager Ray Wilkins in February 2009, Hiddink oversaw 13 Premier League matches in the 2008-09 season, winning 11. In his first 11 games, Chelsea won nine, drew one, and lost one, attaining a +12 goal difference. The defeat — 1-0 — came away at Tottenham Hotspur.
Hiddink, who left the club in June 2009, claimed the biggest win of his tenure away at Arsenal on Matchday 36, as the Pensioners secured a mega 4-1 victory.
#2 John Gregory (Aston Villa): 28 Points
John Gregory took charge of Aston Villa in February 1998, replacing Brian Little at the helm. The Englishman turned Villa’s fortunes around in the Premier League, overseeing nine wins from his first 10 Premier League games. Thanks to the turnaround, Villa finished seventh in the Premier League rankings. He opened the 1998-99 season with a goalless draw with Everton, taking his total to 28 points from 11 games. His team attained a goal difference of 12 during their remarkable run.
Gregory’s most famous win came on Matchday 38 of the 1997-98 season, as his team claimed a slender 1-0 victory over champions Arsenal. Dwight Yorke scored from the penalty spot to seal a famous win at Villa Park.
#1 Arne Slot (Liverpool): 28 Points
Beating the odds, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come out on top, amassing a smashing 28 points from 11 Premier League matches. Under his tutelage, the Reds have won nine matches, drawn one, and lost one. His only setback came against Nottingham Forest on Matchday 4 (1-0 defeat). Liverpool has scored 21 goals in the league and conceded just six, attaining a goal difference of 15.
The Merseysiders delivered their most emphatic performance against Manchester United on Matchday 3. Luis Diaz scored a brace and Mohamed Salah found the back of the net once as the Premier League leaders came away with a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
