The League Managers’
Association (LMA) has announced that it will mark the 50th anniversary of its
Manager of the Year award by commissioning a new trophy named in honour of Sir
Alex Ferguson.
The award is given to
the manager chosen by his peers as the one to have achieved the most in a
season in the Premier League or any of the lower three divisions.
In a statement, the
LMA said it was delighted that Ferguson, one of the most successful managers in
football history, had agreed to the trophy being named after him.
The former Manchester
United boss said it was “a fantastic honour” and added: “I am very proud to
have the LMA Manager of the Year trophy named after me. “When you look at the
list of managers that have won this trophy, going right back to 1968, it is
very humbling.”
The LMA chairman,
Howard Wilkinson, said: “There is no greater accolade than to have your
successful endeavours honoured by your peer group.
“Sir Alex is without
question the association’s most acclaimed, respected and universally admired
member. The LMA is thrilled that the trophy bears his name, which guarantees
its importance in sport.”
Previous winners
include Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Brian Clough.
Kenny Dalglish and Arsene Wenger, with former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri
last year’s Manager of the Year.