Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has been crowned the 2013-14 Premier League Manager of the Year award in the 22nd League Managers Association Annual Awards which was hosted at the historic Old Billingsgate, London after he helped Palace escape relegation who had only four points in the Barclays Premier League to their name when the Welsh took over.
“It’s been remarkable,” Pulis admitted after receiving the award. “I think if you look at the stats and everything else, it’s just wonderful. The biggest stat is that we’re the lowest budget in the Premiership, and we finished 11th. We’ve overachieved as a football club massively, and that’s been great credit to everybody on the pitch.”
On the other hand, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers scooped the LMA Manager of the Year award, the first Liverpool manager to achieve this feat in its 20-year history. Rodgers had a brilliant season with the Reds after he guided them to second place in the Premier League, only two points behind champions Manchester City.
“I was hoping I’d be on the open top bus tonight,” said Rodgers jokingly while receiving the award.
The LMA awards are voted by all LMA members, including every manager from the top four professional leagues in English football and goes to the manager, who, in their opinion and regardless of the status of his club, has made the greatest use of the resources available to him in the current season.
“There can be no greater tribute to a manager and his work than a tribute awarded by his match day foes and peers,” LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson was quoted saying on LeagueManagers. “For Liverpool and Brendan, I’m sure we all hope this season marks the beginning of a new voyage and a new era.”
“Liverpool Football Club’s performances and results this season have provoked memories of some of those momentous years in the past when they had to contend with those two United’s, the first from Leeds, the second from Manchester. For Liverpool and Brendan, I’m sure we all hope this season marks the beginning of a new voyage and a new era,” he added.
LMA Award Winners:
LMA Manager of the Year sponsored by BarclaysBrendan Rodgers, Liverpool
LMA Special Merit AwardRuss Wilcox, Scunthorpe United
LMA Service to Football AwardNorman Rimmington, Barnsley
Barclays Premier League Manager of the YearTony Pulis, Crystal Palace
Sky Bet Football League Championship Manager of the Year Nigel Pearson, Leicester City
Sky Bet Football League 1 Joint Managers of the YearKenny Jackett, Wolves & Russell Slade, Leyton Orient
Sky Bet Football League 2 Manager of the YearRuss Wilcox, Scunthorpe United
Budweiser FA Cup Manager of the YearNigel Clough, Sheffield United