Manager of the Year – Nominees
As we head into Game week 33 with just a dozen games to go; it’s worth taking a glance at the key candidates in the running for the coveted LMA Manager of the Year award 2014-2015. Last season Reds boss Brendan Rodgers took home the accolade after leading the unfancied Merseysiders to a stupendous season where the 18-time English Champions came within a hair’s breadth of winning that elusive first Premier League title. The Reds may not have finished top-of-the pile, but their electric brand of rip-roaring football was simply a joy to withhold. A new season, a new story – Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool have failed to replicate the form and the brand of football that saw them bag every individual accolade barring the one they wanted most.
With the League table still looking like an unfinished Christopher Nolan script – there’s all to play for in the final 6 games of the campaign. Jose Mourinho’s table-toppers have little to worry although they dare rest on their lead at the top with Arsenal hot on their tails. Whereas the relegation battle pits 5 teams against each other in the fight for survival. It’s now down to the Mangers’ to stand up and prove their worth. Here are the bookies favorites to bag this year’s LMA Manager of the Year:
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Jose Mourinho
When the self proclaimed ‘Special One’ – Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea in the summer of 2013 he insisted that the 2014/15 season would be the season his Blues side would thrive, and the Portuguese coach has been true to his word.. Having already led his troops to Capital One Cup glory this season, the disappointment in the FA Cup and Champions League make winning the League an even bigger incentive and a must if there was ever any doubt about it. The West London outfit remain well on course to win the Premier League title, for the first time since 2009/2010 under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho who surprisingly is yet to even win a Manger of the Month award despite leading the rest of the table since August. Campaign against Chelsea, anyone ?
As surprising as the earlier revelation was, Mourinho is yet to win the LMA Manager award, despite winning back-to-back top-flight titles in his first two seasons in English football (2004/05 & 2005/06). A clear favorite to finally win the one award missing in his trophy Cabinet, will the 52 year old 3-Time Champions League winner finally be acknowledged as the League’s Best Manager ?