LMA Manager of the Year: Sheffield United's Chris Wilder beats Pep Guardiola to top award

Wilder was chosen as the recipient of the LMA Sir Alex Ferguson trophy, an accolade voted for by managers across all the divisions

Wednesday 15 May 2019 04:19 EDT
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Premier League season in numbers

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been named League Managers Association Manager of the Year, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola earlier confirmed as Premier League Manager of the Year.

City beat Brighton on Sunday to secure the title ahead of rivals Liverpool by just one point after what had been one of the most closely-fought contests of recent seasons.

Having also won the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign, Guardiola's side could complete a clean sweep of all three domestic honours when they face Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

Guardiola topped the vote ahead of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Nuno Espirito Santo of Wolves after votes from the public were combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winner.

Wilder, though, was chosen as the recipient of the LMA Sir Alex Ferguson trophy, an accolade voted for by managers across all the divisions.

The Sheffield United boss guided his side back into the top flight as Championship runners-up behind Norwich.

"To be voted for by your peers to get this award is just unbelievable and caps off an incredible season for me and everybody at Sheffield United," Wilder said on stage after collecting the award from the former Manchester United boss.

"I would like to think we have struck a blow for recruitment, training ground, teaching and all the other stuff which goes on behind the scenes - there is no cheque book culture."

Wilder, who took over the Blades when they were in League One, added: "It just shows you this can happen, it is dreams, inspiration for everybody.

"There is a pathway through for all of us and hopefully it has shown the way for everybody else."

On the challenges ahead, Wilder said: "If we can stay in the Premier League, that would be fantastic.

"It is an exciting and unbelievable experience we are going into."

Guardiola celebrated Manchester City winning the Premier League title on Sunday
Guardiola celebrated Manchester City winning the Premier League title on Sunday (PA)

Following confirmation of winning the LMA Premier League award for the second year running, Guardiola had earlier given a brief message by video, in which the Spaniard paid tribute to the efforts of his players and backroom staff.

"I want to share it with my players because they are the artists of everything, to my staff because we fought a lot (against) all the managers in the Premier League, especially Jurgen Klopp, an incredible contender to face till the end," the City manager said.

"It was a pleasure to play against all of them and hopefully next season we can see each other and do big, big battles again to win an incredible Premier League title."

The LMA League One Manager of the Year award went to Luton's Mick Harford, who stepped down from his caretaker role at the end of the season, with Graeme Jones set to take charge.

Danny Cowley collected the League Two award after Lincoln claimed the title with 85 points.

Wilder was rewarded for getting Sheffield United promoted
Wilder was rewarded for getting Sheffield United promoted (ActionImages for LMA via Reuters)

Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro was named the FA Women's Super League Manager of the Year, while Karen Hills of Tottenham received the FA Women's Championship award.

Outgoing Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore was given the LMA's Special Recognition Award, having recently stood down following 19 years in the role.

John Still was presented with the LMA's Special Achievement Award following his long career which included spells at the likes of Dagenham & Redbridge, Peterborough, Barnet and Luton.

The LMA Service to Football Award went to Pat Godbold of Ipswich

PA

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