Frank Lampard named LMA manager of year after leading Coventry to Premier League
Frank Lampard has been named manager of the year by the League Managers’ Association after guiding Coventry back to the Premier League.
Lampard’s Sky Blues finished 11 points clear at the top of the Championship, clinching the title and returning to the top for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
The former English midfielder, who previously coached Derby, Everton and played for Chelsea for two terms, was presented with the Sir Alex Ferguson award by England manager Thomas Tuchel.
The award, named after the former manager of Manchester United, is voted on by managers in the leagues and success and available resources are taken into account.
Tuchel read Ferguson’s letter saying Lampard’s Coventry were “playing great football with confidence and belief”.
“I enjoyed watching you. I wish you success in the Premier League next season,” he added.
Brentford’s Keith Andrews, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Lincoln City’s Michael Skubala and Bromley’s Andy Woodman were also shortlisted.
Manchester City’s Andree Jeglertz won the Women’s Super League award after reaching the championship.
Arteta, who led Arsenal to the Premier League championship for the first time in 22 years, received the Premier League award, while Lampard received the Championship award.
Skubala claimed the third tier award after winning the First Division with Lincoln and Woodham won the Second Division award after leading Bromley to the title.
The WSL2 award went to Karen Hills, who led Charlton to the WSL for the first time.
Steve Bruce and Martin O’Neill were inducted into the Hall of Fame after each reaching 1,000 games as managers.
Lampard’s award is the most significant individual honor of his coaching career.
His Derby side were defeated in the Championship play-off final in 2019 and he was subsequently appointed to former club Chelsea, where he spent 13 years as a player.
He was sacked in 2021 after 18 months in charge but later returned as caretaker.
Meanwhile, he spent less than a year in charge of Everton, during which he oversaw a relegation escape but was later sacked.
This season, the Coventry team became the top scorer in the Championship, scoring 97 goals in 46 matches. They also had the best defense.
Chris Wilder, who won the award while managing Sheffield United in 2019, and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, the 2024 winner, are the other recent managers to receive the LMA’s top award while managing outside the Premier League.
