BEVERLY HILLS, May 25, (THEWILL) – The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has been crowned LMA Manager of the Year. The League Managers’ Association (LMA) is the trade union for Premier League, EFL and national team managers in English association football.
The club under his managerial leadership, secured a League double from the treble available, winning a third English Premier League trophy as well as a fourth successive League Cup but lost the semi-final of the FA Cup to Chelsea.
Yet, the Spanish tactician could add the UEFA Champions League trophy to earn his Manchester side the one trophy that has eluded them for so long. That stage may be where Guardiola exacts his vengeance for the loss of that FA Cup title against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
That aside, what will please Guardiola better than any other consideration is clinching Europe’s biggest prize for the first time in the club’s history. It will be the crowning glory of the manager’s sojourn from his days in La Liga.
To take the LMA award, the Spaniard beat off competition from the likes of Leeds boss and one of Guardiola’s mentors, Marcelo Bielsea, Leicester’s FA Cup-winning boss Brendan Rodgers and West Ham’s David Moyes, both of whom came close to a top four finish but could not see it through.
In his remarks on the award, Guardiola said: “I am delighted to win the LMA Manager Of The Year Award for the second time. It is, for me, such a special trophy to win because it is voted for by my fellow managers. An award like this is only possible though if a manager is surrounded by top professionals.
“My players have been fantastic – their dedication and professionalism never wavered, even in a season that has been the most challenging we have ever faced.
“And my staff are also deserving of the highest praise. I am so lucky to have a team of people who give everything they have every single day to make sure Manchester City are the best we can be.
“This award is dedicated to and shared with them.”
After a tough and difficult start to the season that led to rumours of his imminent sack, the City team clicked into top gear through the winter to end up running away with the title, with one of Guardiola’s summer signings, Ruben Dias, named the FWA Footballer of the Year last week.
On a personal note, Guardiola had to overcome the tragic loss of his mother during the coronavirus pandemic. He used his acceptance speech to pay tribute to the key workers who have continued to tackle the pandemic on the frontline as the football season continued throughout the season.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
