Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has won the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year after leading the Reds to the Premier League title – their first English top-flight title for 30 years.
The German pipped Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth and last season’s winner Chris Wilder to the award with the announcement made by former Manchester United boss Ferguson himself.
Emma Hayes recently won the FA Women’s Super League manager of the year award after leading Chelsea to the title.
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa won the Championship award after guiding his side to the title and promotion to the Premier League.
In announcing Klopp as the winner on Sky Sports, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Jurgen, fantastic. We speak about Leeds spending 16 years in the Championship, but Liverpool, 30 years since winning that league, incredible.
“You thoroughly deserved it, but the performance level of your team was outstanding. Your personality runs right throughout the whole club. It was a marvellous performance.
“I’ll forgive you for waking me up at 3.30am to tell me you have won the league! Thank you, but anyway, you thoroughly deserved it. Well done.”
Klopp’s side amassed 99 points as they won the Premier League title by 18 points from second-placed Manchester City.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be named the winner of the League Managers Association manager of the year award, for this wonderful Sir Alex Ferguson trophy, named after a man that I admire so much,” said Klopp.
“It feels extra special to win this award because it is voted for by my fellow managers.
“It’s an honour to be in the company of so many managers who have been named as LMA manager of the year before, including of course Liverpool managers like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Sir Kenny Dalglish and, in recent years, Brendan Rodgers.”
He added: “I am here on behalf of my coaches. I’m OK as a manager but they make us a real special bunch of football brains.”
The FA Women’s Championship manager of the year was Aston Villa’s Gemma Davies.
Coventry City boss Mark Robins was the League One winner, while Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell got the League Two award.
