Ipswich Town‘s Kieran McKenna won the League Managers Association’s (LMA) Manager of the Year award. The 38-year-old led Ipswich back to the Premier League after a 22-year hiatus, outshining notable contenders like Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. The shortlist also included Everton’s Sean Dyche, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, and Portsmouth’s John Mousinho.
Earlier, Guardiola earned the Premier League Manager of the Season title, while Liverpool’s Matt Beard claimed the Women’s Super League Manager of the Season award.
🏆 A prestigious award following a truly special season.
AdvertisementKieran McKenna has been named the League Managers Association Manager of the Year. 🙌#LMAAnnualAwards | @LMA_Managers pic.twitter.com/PbhEHO1sZ2
— I(P)SWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) May 21, 2024
McKenna, originally from London and raised in Northern Ireland, left his role as a first-team coach at Manchester United to manage Ipswich in December 2021 when the club was in League One. Under his guidance, Ipswich finished second in the Championship, just one point behind Leicester City, achieving consecutive promotions.
Receiving the award from former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, McKenna expressed his gratitude: “This award is one of the most humbling and proudest moments of my life. Managing in the Premier League against great managers will be an exciting challenge.”
Guardiola, 53, celebrated another remarkable season as Manchester City became the first English club to win four consecutive top-flight titles. He praised his fellow nominees, including Arteta, Emery, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, for their impressive achievements.
Meanwhile, Beard, 46, led Liverpool to a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Super League, their best since winning the title in 2014. He acknowledged the collective effort of his team and staff in securing the award.
The Premier League title race concluded on the final day, with Manchester City securing a 3-1 victory over West Ham to clinch their sixth title under Guardiola since 2016. City’s Phil Foden earned the Premier League Player of the Season award, marking the fifth time Guardiola has received the top-flight honor, second only to Ferguson’s 11 wins. “We will defend this award as best as possible in the future,” Guardiola added.
📸 – Kieran McKenna pictured with Sir Alex after winning the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy and becoming the League Managers Association’s Manager of the Year.
– Ipswich PL promotion after 22 years
– Championship Manager of the Year
– LMA Manager of the YearAdvertisementCongrats, Kieran 🫡👏 pic.twitter.com/RTKBWS6cjb
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) May 22, 2024
