At tonight’s League Managers Association Awards in Nottingham, Everton’s David Moyes was honoured for the third time with the prestigious LMA Manager of the Year Award. The award, sponsored by Barclays, was voted by managers from the top four leagues in England and it comes on top of the same accolade for Moyes in 2003 and 2005. He is the only manager to win the award three times.
LMA Chairman, Howard Wilkinson, said: “Since joining Everton, David has not only transformed the club’s fortunes, he has also created a huge fan base, including many of his fellow managers. With only modest financial backing, he has shown what can be achieved through discipline, dedication and an innate ability to get the best out of every player.”
Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, who was in Rome preparing for Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League final with F.C. Barcelona, scooped two awards, including one which celebrates his phenomenal success over the last 12 months. He earned the LMA Special Merit Award as recognition for winning the European Champions League Final in 2007/08 and reaching his second consecutive final this year, winning the FA Community Shield, the FIFA Club World Cup Final, the League Cup and his 11th Barclays Premier League title - his 18th title overall and the second occasion he has won the title three times consecutively.
Unsurprisingly, Sir Alex was also voted Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year by the Barclays Panel.
Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the LMA, said: “Not only is Sir Alex one of football’s most successful managers ever, he is arguably one of team sports greatest managers. Throughout an incredibly long career, which of course continues to go from strength to strength, he has employed great skill and determination which has generated massive success for Manchester United.
“What might not be so obvious is that Sir Alex has for a long time played an influential role behind the scenes. He is a passionate advocate for the rights of managers at all levels in the game and continues to make a vitally important contribution to the work of the League Managers Association. He has been an LMA Committee member since it was formed in 1992.
“Over the years he has also reached out to younger and less experienced managers around the country, often providing both words of advice and practical support. This enormous empathy for others in the game is what helps mark him out as one of football’s most special people.”
The full list of awards, presented by Terry Venables, former England Manager and former LMA President, is as follows:
LMA Manager of the Year sponsored by Barclays - David Moyes
LMA Special Merit Award sponsored by Barclays - Sir Alex Ferguson CBE
LMA Service to Football Award sponsored by Coca-Cola - Graham Turner
Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year - Sir Alex Ferguson CBE
Coca-Cola Football League Championship Manager of the Year - Mick McCarthy
Coca-Cola Football League One Manager of the Year - Darren Ferguson
Coca-Cola Football League Two Manager of the Year - Paul Tisdale
Hall of Fame 1000 Club inductees - Steve Coppell and Graham Turner
The Hall of Fame 1000 Club recognises football managers who have reached the milestone of 1,000 competitive league and cup matches at the helm.