There have been plenty of storylines on the touchline this season in England’s top flight.
From firings to headbutts to overspenditure, there has been an abundance of action in the duguot. However, we are here to recognize those who went above and beyond in their managerial duties.
With so much turmoil at the managerial spot for a number of clubs across the Premier League, it would seem an easy choice. But we love controversy and debate here at ProSoccerTalk, and we don’t often agree.
We didn’t here, and it came down to a tiebreaker vote between two very deserving candidates.
Brendan Rodgers led Liverpool to a second-place finish in the Premier League, and although they let the title slip away in the dying moments of the season in painful fashion, he led the club to a finish far greater than expected at the beginning of the season.
Had Liverpool won the title, Rodgers would no doubt be the runaway choice for this award. However, because they slipped at the finish line, another candidate emerged.
Crystal Palace were dead in the water a few months ago, and needed a new manager to replace the recently sacked Ian Holloway. The club was criticized at his time of hire for picking a manager who was known for his boring style of play, with detractors saying they needed someone to bring flair to the club.
Instead, Pulis engineered a masterful comeback, instilling a sense of solidity to the squad’s play. In storybook fashion, Pulis emerged as the club’s savior, leading them not only to safety but an 11th place finish, an insane prospect at Christmas.
It couldn’t have been written better, as Pulis was at the forefront of Liverpool’s title demise, engineering a comeback for the ages to draw 3-3 after trailing the Reds 3-0 in the penultimate game of the season.
The pair split the major managerial awards this season, with Rodgers winning the League Manager’s Association Manager of the Year award, and Pulis took home the Premier League’s version.
Fittingly, both men received an equal amount of votes in our ProSoccerTalk Manager of the Year voting, and both received the same amount of first-place votes, which was our first tiebreaker. Therefore, it was put up for a second vote to determine who would win, and the results are below:
Joe Prince-Wright:
1. Tony Pulis
2. Brendan Rodgers
3. Mauricio Pochettino
Tiebreaker – Pulis
Mike Prindiville:
1. Roberto Martinez
2. Tony Pulis
3. Brendan Rodgers
Tiebreaker – Pulis
Richard Farley:
1. Brendan Rodgers
2. Roberto Martinez
3. Tony Pulis
Tiebreaker – Rodgers
Kyle Bonn:
1. Brendan Rodgers
2. Tony Pulis
3. Mark Hughes
Tiebreaker – Rodgers
Nick Martinez:
1. Tony Pulis
2. Brendan Rodgers
3. Manuel Pellegrini
Tiebreaker – Pulis
ProSoccerTalk Premier League Manager of the Year: Tony Pulis
Crystal Palace’s guardian angel is our winner, as only one can take home the crown. Both are deserving of our accolades, as are all the other men mentioned.
Everton’s Roberto Martinez came in third, as the Toffees finished fifth this year and have a view towards bigger and better things next season if they can sort out a few roster issues this summer.
Other men mentioned were Manuel Pellegrini of the champions Manchester City, who likely would have received more credit for winning the title had he not been gifted with such a quality squad; Mauricio Pochettino of Southampton who faded late but still had a strong season and have work to do to keep their top players and manager; and Mark Hughes, who guided Stoke City to a surprising 9th place finish, their highest ever in the Premier League.
Congratulations to all of the candidates for a fantastic season!
