The League Managers Association will hand out its annual awards on Tuesday, traditionally favouring the manager of the title‑winning side. This season Arsenal and Manchester City dominate the conversation, so Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola appear set for the top honour. Yet veteran Tony Pulis reminded fans that several lower‑table coaches have out‑performed expectations and deserve serious consideration.

Keith Andrews turned Brentford from preseason relegation favourites into a European side, flirting with Europa qualification after his debut. At Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola steered a squad stripped of its best players to within a Champions League spot, landing in the Europa League. Daniel Farke rescued Leeds from a November slump, while Regis le Bris kept Sunderland in the top flight, underscoring that success isn’t confined to the elite.

League Two champions Bromley, propelled by Andy Woodman’s 21‑game unbeaten run, clinched the title, while MK Dons and Cambridge United also over‑performed. Lincoln and Cardiff impressed in the Championship, and Michael Skubala’s Ipswich secured automatic promotion, setting Kieran McKenna a daunting task in the second tier. Pulis warned that managerial turnover now stretches from October to the season’s weeks, reflecting an industry where job security dwindles.