'He showed why good managers need time' - who are this season's over-achievers?

In my career, I have had the honor of being named Premier League Manager of the Season, notably with Crystal Palace in 2014. The recognition, along with an earlier award I received while managing Gillingham in Division Three (now League Two) in 1996, remains one of my most cherished accomplishments over the years I have dedicated to football.

As this season reaches its conclusion, it is imperative to highlight those who have made exceptional contributions to the sport. The League Managers Association (LMA) will host its annual awards dinner on Tuesday, celebrating the achievements within both men's and women's football. There are several individuals who particularly deserve recognition this year.

Traditionally, the divisional award in the Premier League tends to be awarded to the manager whose team finishes at the top of the table. Since the inception of the awards in 1993, there have only been four instances where this did not occur, making my own recognition during one of those instances even more special.

Over the years, I have often cast my vote for the winning manager, yet I have always held a profound respect for those managing lower in the table who have surpassed expectations, and I have frequently chosen to vote for them in such cases.

In this season's Premier League, Arsenal and Manchester City have emerged as the standout teams. I anticipate that both Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola will be strong contenders for this prestigious individual accolade, paralleling their teams' remarkable campaigns.

However, looking beyond the top two, there are several other managers worthy of acknowledgment.

Keith Andrews' remarkable achievement at Brentford, during his inaugural season at the helm, stands out. The Bees were widely regarded as relegation candidates at the start of the campaign, and Andrews was heavily favored by bookmakers to be the first manager to be dismissed. Nevertheless, he narrowly missed out on securing European qualification for the first time in the club's history.

That European prize ultimately went to Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, who came close to landing a Champions League spot but settled for participation in the Europa League.

Iraola has been in charge of my former club since 2023, and despite the continuous challenge of selling key players, he has successfully assembled a team that has built momentum rather than losing it.

His achievements are not merely a flash in the pan but the result of steady progress cultivated over a three-year period.

Although Iraola faced a challenging start to his tenure on the south coast, taking ten matches to secure his first league victory by the end of October, he has demonstrated that in a time where managerial tenures are increasingly fleeting, a manager can achieve success provided they are granted the requisite time.

Daniel Farke's work at Leeds this season is similarly commendable. He managed to turn around the club’s fortunes amid significant pressure towards the end of November.

Together with Regis le Bris at Sunderland, Farke defied expectations by ensuring Leeds retained their Premier League status—something that is no longer assumed for promoted teams.

All managers who over-achieve deserve recognition

While I am unable to disclose my three nominations for this year's awards, I can share that two of them originate from lower divisions, where budget restrictions are a significant concern for many managers.

Every manager who surpasses expectations under such circumstances should receive recognition, as should those successfully gaining promotion from any division.

The overall LMA Manager of the Year award exemplifies this principle; in the past 33 years, only 14 of the winners have been managers from the Premier League, while seven have originated from outside the top division.

This season, clubs such as Bromley, MK Dons, and Cambridge United have all enjoyed stellar performances in League Two, and I believe that Andy Woodman, Paul Warne, and Neil Harris deserve substantial credit for their efforts.

Woodman's leadership at Bromley is particularly noteworthy, as the club achieved an incredible 21-game unbeaten streak from early December through the end of March. I am thrilled they ultimately secured the league title—an outstanding accomplishment.

Ascending to the next division, both Lincoln and Cardiff have also performed admirably. Brian Barry-Murphy's Cardiff were anticipated to perform well this season, but the success of Lincoln under Michael Skubala was somewhat unexpected. His work has been exemplary.

Lincoln now looks forward to an exciting Championship season, where Coventry and Ipswich have secured automatic promotion this year.

Ipswich, having been favored to win, achieved an anticipated return, while Coventry's consistent performance over the course of the season has earned them the championship title.

Kieran McKenna now faces a significant challenge at Ipswich next season. His previous experiences, including three promotions in four years with a substantial budget, add layers of complexity to the upcoming campaign, particularly following a disappointing first relegation from the Premier League.

Both Leeds and Sunderland achieved survival this season, making it evident that retaining Premier League status is an attainable goal.

Frank Lampard at Coventry is another notable manager with substantial top-flight experience, and I am certain he will encounter challenges as he navigates the tough demands placed on newly promoted teams, making recruitment a pivotal aspect of his strategy.

A time to reflect

At this juncture of the season, it is customary for managers across our professional leagues to reflect on their individual performances.

Many may depart from their clubs this summer—some of their own volition due to better opportunities elsewhere, though these instances are relatively few.

The notion of 'sacking season' has traditionally pertained to October; however, this trend now applies both to the period shortly after the New Year and to the final weeks of the campaign as well.

The role of a manager has always been precarious, and each year seems to compound this volatility. We find ourselves in a cycle where instant success is demanded, further complicating the managerial landscape.

Those in managerial positions have navigated a myriad of complex emotions over the preceding months. The responsibilities inherent in this profession are relentless; thus, if one is set to continue in the role for the next season, it is advisable to take a moment to gather oneself, as similar emotional challenges will inevitably recur—regardless of outcomes.

Following the progress of new managers

In my early coaching years, new managers and coaches would spend the week following the end of the season attending a Football Association seminar at Lilleshall, the former headquarters of the FA's Centre of Excellence.

This event enabled attendees to observe top coaches from both the UK and across Europe, while also facilitating the development of professional relationships both during and after the sessions.

Unfortunately, this tradition has since been discontinued by football's governing bodies, who have not sought to reinstate a gathering that once held great significance for those involved in the sport.

Nevertheless, I take great pleasure in tracking the progress of a new cohort of coaches now entering managerial roles.

Although I am retired, my keen interest lies in their journeys as they begin to navigate a challenging industry.

My guidance for these emerging managers is straightforward and rooted in common sense—it is crucial for those operating in lower divisions to absorb the lessons that come from their unique experiences.

Ultimately, the most valuable education arises from the trials and tribulations encountered while managing a team, as no one truly grasps the role of a manager until they are seated in that position.