Author: Amrit Santlani
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola took home the Coach of the Year award from the League Managers Association, with all managers from all divisions voting for the award.
It was the third time Guardiola has won the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy, having already won the Premier League Coach of the Year award after leading City to a third consecutive league title. The Sky Blues took on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to win their fifth league title in six seasons.
Arteta was also among the nominees alongside Guardiola, with Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Burnley’s Vincent Kompany and Plymouth’s Steven Schumacher also on the list.
Guardiola, 52, won his third LMA Coach of the Year award, joining an elite list of managers who have won the coveted prize on three or more occasions, although he is still two behind Sir Alex Ferguson, after whom the trophy is named.
Chelsea coach Emma Hayes won the Women’s Super League award after leading her team to a fourth consecutive WSL title. Hayes also took home the award for the fourth time in a row, having won it a total of six times.
Speaking after winning the award, City manager Guardiola said: “It’s an incredible honor to receive this trophy. We’re in the best league in the world and I promise you we’ll be there next season.”
The Cityzens are currently in contention for a historic treble, having won the Premier League. They will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley this Saturday, before taking on Inter Milan for the Champions League title.
Lou Macari received the inaugural John Duncan Award for outstanding achievement. Lou Macari, 73, runs a homeless shelter in Stoke after spending two seasons there as a coach.
In addition, Richie Wellens, manager of Leyton Orient, was awarded League Two’s best manager for leading his team to the title and, likewise, Kompany won the Championship’s best manager of the year award after Burnley amassed an incredible 101 points to win the title and secure promotion to the Premier League.