Wilder beats Guardiola and Klopp to manager of the year

To the shock of many, Sheffield United's Chris Wilder has been crowned LMA (League Managers Association) manager of the year, beating favourites Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp to take home the gong.

51 year-old Wilder led his hometown Blades to a shock promotion - an especially impressive feat considering the minimal budget that the Yorkshire outfit had to work with compared to clubs around them in the table. 

Wilder, whose side finished second behind Norwich in the Championship, received the award from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and England boss Gareth Southgate.

After being handed the prize, the Englishman hailed the company he was in: "There are some inspirational people in front of me; Sir Alex Ferguson, Gareth Southgate, Sam Allardyce, Walter Smith and Dave Bassett, who's a fantastic mentor to me".

The Sheffield United manager was competing with some of England's biggest names for the award, including Jürgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Nuno Espirito Santo - who himself defied the odds as he led a newly-promoted Wolves side to a Europa League place.

Before taking the helm at the club he supported as a boy, Wilder managed Halifax Town, Oxford United and Northampton Town, garnering an impressive winning record and making quite the name for himself within the English Football League. His work will now be rewarded as he will have the opportunity to manage Sheffield United in the Premier League next season - the first time the club has been in the top flight since the 2006/7 campaign.

 

May 15, 2019