2021/22 Barclays Manager of the Season

16/05/22 1036

We have entered the final week of the 2021/22 Premier League season and the shortlists for the individual awards have been published.

The Premier League Manager of the Season award is always interesting and Pep Guardiola picked up the honour last season. Which names have been included on the list for the 2021/22 campaign?

Thomas Frank has done a fantastic job at Brentford. Not only has the Dane kept Brentford in the Premier League following promotion from the Championship last season but he has made them competitive.

Frank has won over many neutral fans for his style of play and Brentford have recorded some impressive victories over Chelsea, West Ham United and Arsenal.

Patrick Vieira has enjoyed his first season as a manager in the Premier League with Crystal Palace. The Eagles were one of the favourites to be relegated before a ball was kicked and Vieira was tipped to be the first manager to lose his job.

The former Arsenal midfielder has proved his critics wrong and Crystal Palace could finish in the top half this season. In addition to a possible top half finish, Vieira has transformed the way Crystal Palace play and has made some excellent signings.

Eddie Howe arrived at Newcastle United in November with the club sitting bottom of the Premier League. The Magpies had failed to win any of their 14 league games but Howe has led Newcastle from the bottom into mid-table safety.

Newcastle have become the first club in the history of the Premier League to stay up having won none of their first 14 matches and Howe enjoyed a 9-match unbeaten run. However, Howe has had extensive backing in the transfer market and that may overshadow his credentials for the award.

Jurgen Klopp has pushed Liverpool into contention for only their second Premier League title this season. Earlier in the campaign, it appeared Liverpool were too far behind the leaders but Klopp has guided Liverpool superbly in the second half of the season.

At the time of writing, Liverpool have lost fewer matches than any other team in the Premier League and only Manchester City have a superior goal difference.

Finally, we come to Pep Guardiola and the Spaniard could be about to win this award for the fourth time in five seasons, which would be an incredible achievement.

With one game remaining in the Premier League, Manchester City have already amassed more points than they did during their title winning campaign last season. Guardiola continues to push himself and his players to new heights, with an attractive and winning brand of football.

The Manager of the Season award may come down to which team wins the title. You must go back to the 2013/14 season to find the last time a manager who did not lead his team to the title won the award. T

herefore, despite their achievements, it seems unlikely Frank, Howe, or Vieira are going to pick up the award this season.