Full Breakdown
LMA Annual Awards Spotlight: Managers in the Running for Premier League Honors
5/26/2026, 10:19:55 PM
LMA Awards Dinner: Purpose and Timing
The League Managers Association (LMA) will hold its annual awards dinner on Tuesday, a ceremony that recognises achievements across the men’s and women’s game, including the Premier League manager of the season.
Historical Pattern of the Premier League Manager Award
Since the award’s inception in 1993, the Premier League honour has almost always gone to the manager of the title-winning side; only four occasions have deviated from this trend.
Managers in Contention
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola are leading candidates after dominant campaigns. Brentford’s first-season manager Keith Andrews lifted the Bees from early relegation forecasts to near-European qualification. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, after a ten-match winless start, kept his side in Europa League contention. Leeds United’s Daniel Farke and Sunderland’s Regis le Bris helped Leeds retain Premier League status, defying expectations for promoted clubs.
Performance Metrics
Since 1993 the award has missed the league-winning manager only four times. Brentford began as bookmakers’ relegation favourites but finished within a whisker of European qualification. Iraola required ten attempts for his first league win, arriving at October’s end.
Official Statements & Responses
The author, a former Premier League manager of the season, notes personal voting often favours the top-placed manager but stresses respect for managers who achieve over-achievement from lower-table positions. He predicts Arteta and Guardiola “will have a great run” for the award and acknowledges Andrews, Iraola, Farke and le Bris.
Criticism & Opposition
The commentary warns that “managers get less time than ever before,” arguing short tenures hinder success. It also challenges the view that promoted clubs cannot survive, citing Leeds and Sunderland as counter-examples.
Verbatim Quotes
“Many moons ago I received the great accolade of being named Premier League manager of the season - with Crystal Palace in 2014.” — Former manager, author
“In the Premier League, the divisional award invariably goes to the manager who has finished top of the table - since the awards started in 1993 there have only been four occasions when it hasn't, which is why I was especially proud when one of them was me.” — Former manager, author
“What Keith Andrews has achieved at Brentford, in his first season as a manager, is amazing.” — Former manager, author
“Along with Regis le Bris at Sunderland, Farke bucked the trend with Leeds by retaining their Premier League status - something we no longer expect from promoted teams.” — Former manager, author
What's Next
The awards dinner on Tuesday will decide which manager receives the Premier League manager of the season honour, potentially reshaping how success is judged beyond league position alone.
