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

Years ago, I had the honor of being named Premier League Manager of the Season with Crystal Palace in 2014. This accolade, alongside my recognition with Gillingham in Division Three (now League Two) back in 1996, remains one of my most cherished achievements throughout my lengthy career in football.

As we look to this year’s achievements, the League Managers Association (LMA) will hold its annual awards dinner on Tuesday, celebrating successes across both men’s and women’s football. There are several managers who stand out to me for their exceptional contributions this season.

Typically, the award in the Premier League is awarded to the manager whose team finishes at the top of the standings. Since the awards inception in 1993, this has only occurred on four occasions for managers not finishing atop the table, which makes my own recognition even more significant.

While I have often cast my vote for top managers based on their league placements, I have also consistently acknowledged deserving managers lower in the table who have exceeded expectations.

This season, Arsenal and Manchester City have emerged as the premier teams, and I anticipate a competitive race for this prestigious individual award between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, reflecting their successful campaigns.

However, looking beyond the top two, there are additional managers worthy of recognition.

Keith Andrews has made a remarkable impact during his inaugural season as manager at Brentford. With many pundits predicting relegation for the Bees at the season's outset, and Andrews being the frontrunner for the first managerial dismissal according to bookmakers, he has impressively led his team to the brink of European qualification for the first time.

In fact, European competition has been secured by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, who tantalizingly approached a Champions League placement but settled in the Europa League instead.

Iraola has been at the helm of my former club since 2023 and, despite facing the ongoing challenge of losing key players, he has successfully built a team that has generated positive momentum consistently.

His achievements have not been the result of a singular successful campaign but are reflective of a steady development over three years, characterized by ongoing improvement.

While Iraola's start on the south coast was challenging—his first league victory came after ten attempts in late October—he exemplifies what can happen when good managers are afforded time to instigate their vision for success.

Daniel Farke has similarly demonstrated resilience this season at Leeds, turning their circumstances around under significant pressure come late November.

Farke's success, alongside Regis le Bris at Sunderland, has bucked expectations as Leeds managed to maintain their Premier League status—a feat that increasingly seems unattainable for promoted teams.

All managers who over-achieve deserve recognition

While I cannot reveal my three nominations for this year’s awards, it is worth noting that two of them are from the lower leagues, where budgetary constraints significantly impact managers' capabilities.

Every manager who has outperformed expectations in such conditions deserves recognition, as do those who achieve promotion from any division.

The LMA Manager of the Year award encapsulates this sentiment—over the last 33 years, only 14 of its winners have come from Premier League teams, with seven coming from leagues below the top division.

This season, Bromley, MK Dons, and Cambridge United have celebrated outstanding campaigns in League Two, and managers Andy Woodman, Paul Warne, and Neil Harris are highly deserving of commendation.

Woodman’s remarkable achievement at Bromley, leading them to an unbeaten stretch of 21 games from December through March, culminated in their title victory—an extraordinary accomplishment.

In a higher division, both Lincoln and Cardiff have also excelled. Brian Barry-Murphy's Cardiff faced expectations of a challenging season, yet Michael Skubala's management of Lincoln has been exceptional—leading them to a promising future in the Championship.

This year, Coventry and Ipswich have respectively earned automatic promotions. While Ipswich was favored for a swift return, Coventry's championship performance showcased consistent excellence over the entire season.

Kieran McKenna faces a significant challenge at Ipswich next season; despite a series of promotions over the last four years, his relegation from the Premier League remains a profound disappointment. The question remains whether he has learned from that experience.

Both Leeds and Sunderland have successfully avoided relegation this season, highlighting that survival is an achievable goal.

Frank Lampard at Coventry, established in the Premier League, is expected to face substantial challenges typical for newly promoted teams. His ability to recruit effectively will be crucial moving forward.

A time to reflect

As the season draws to a close, managers across the professional leagues will inevitably assess their personal performances.

Numerous managers will part ways with their clubs this summer, with most exits resulting from decisions made by the club rather than personal choice.

What was once known as "sacking season" might have traditionally taken place in October, but it has evolved to encompass the post-New Year period, extending into the season's final phase.

The managerial role has always been precarious, a situation that seems to worsen annually. We now exist in an era where instant success is expected, exacerbating the difficulties faced by managers.

Those continuing in their roles will likely have navigated a whirlwind of emotions over the past several months, and the nature of this job is relentless. For those remaining in their positions, it’s essential to take a breath as they prepare for the challenges ahead, regardless of the outcomes encountered.

Following the progress of new managers

During my initial years as a coach, the first week following the season would see managers and coaches gather at an FA coaching seminar hosted at Lilleshall, the former home of the FA’s Centre of Excellence.

These seminars provided opportunities to observe prominent coaches from both England and Europe in action.

Various topics encompassing club management were discussed, fostering relationships among managers during the day and over evening gatherings.

Unfortunately, this tradition has been discontinued, with football’s governing bodies not reinstating an event that, for the football community, served as a vital collective experience.

Despite this, I am fortunate to know a new cohort of coaches who have recently transitioned into management roles.

Now that I am retired, I thoroughly enjoy following their development as they navigate the complexities of this challenging industry.

My advice to these emerging talents centers upon straightforward, common-sense principles.

However, managing at lower levels requires substantial learning, and regardless of any guidance provided, the most valuable lessons will stem from the experiences they encounter.

As I often remind, nobody truly comprehends the role of a manager until they have sat in the managerial seat!