Premier League Manager of the Season 2010-11

As per usual, the Premier League season has endured a combination of tactical masterstrokes with brutal boardroom decisions which have left managers swiftly shown the exit door at the slight hint of a downturn in form.

Most recently, Carlo Ancelotti tasted the harshness of the Premier League results business as he was dismissed within less than an hour after Chelsea’s last-day defeat to Everton. This decision comes off the back of the Italian failing to secure any trophies this season, despite completing the domestic double in his inaugural term in English football.

Avram Grant was treated in a similar fashion, albeit in the penultimate game of the season and without the previous trophy-glazed success by West Ham after the club suffered relegation, while Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton, Roy Hodgson and Roberto Di Matteo have all felt the wrath of club owners and chairmen this campaign.

In the midst of the gloom, there are managers who have shone this season. David Moyes continues to flirt with the possibility of European football on a shoestring budget at Everton, while Mark Hughes secured a respectable eighth place in his first term at Fulham.

Harry Redknapp narrowly missed out on a Champions League place but his side’s exploits in Europe will not be forgotten in a hurry, Hodgson’s brisk return to management at West Brom has seen the Baggies comfortably ease their way out of the relegation crowd and Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City secured their first trophy in their money-ridden era by winning the FA Cup.

But there can only be three candidates for our Manager of the Season.

Below are Goal.com‘s three nominees for Premier League Manager of the Season in alphabetical order. We then cast our vote at the bottom before leaving it up to you, the readers, to have your say.

Wins/Draws/Losses: 10/3/5 Goals For/Against: 35/17 Achievements: 6th, Prem

After Roy Hodgson’s unsuccessful and uninspiring seven months in charge of Liverpool there was only one man touted to salvage the short-term future of the club. Dalglish, who had left Anfield as manager in 1991 with three league titles in his wake, returned in January to steady the ship. But instead of steering the flailing club to a comfortable mid-table position, the Scot influenced two key signings in the winter transfer window, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, and galvanised the existing personnel to a sixth-placed finish. The temporary boss was justly rewarded with a three-year deal earlier this month and under his stewardship and the club’s ambitious new owners, Liverpool and Dalglish are threatening to pick up where they left off 20 years ago.

Wins/Draws/Losses: 23/11/4 Goals For/Against: 78/37 Achievements: 1st, Prem, Champions League finalists

Prior to the season’s kick-off, Manchester United were propped behind Chelsea as favourites for the Premier League crown. With the only significant first-team addition being Javier Hernandez, who exhibited glimpses of promise for Mexico in the World Cup, the feeling was that Carlo Ancelotti’s charges would retain their title. But United, under Ferguson’s stewardship, displayed a consistency which their rivals lacked this campaign. The acquisition of Hernandez appears to be one of the Scot’s most astute purchases during his time at Old Trafford, while the emergence of Chris Smalling also looks like a wise recruitment. A 19th league title, which has overtaken Liverpool’s previous record, coupled with a Champions League final showdown with Barcelona, is a tribute to Ferguson’s man-management between his youthful and experience personnel, as well as the winning spirit and trophy-influenced hunger he’s established within the side.

Wins/Draws/Losses: 13/7/18 Goals For/Against: 46/48 Achievements: 13th, Prem, FA Cup runners-up

A project is slowly falling into place at the Britannia Stadium and it’s largely down to Pulis. Jermaine Pennant’s arrival initially on loan, before it was made permanent in January, has appeared to be an excellent piece of business, as Stoke City now offer a threat down either wing, while the loan acquisition of John Carew bolstered the attack, along with Kenwyne Jones’s purchase last summer. Pulis makes no excuses for his side’s cavalier style, which causes problems with so many teams, particularly at home, and the pinnacle of their season was undoubtedly reaching the FA Cup final, which they lost to Manchester City. Should Stoke’s away form improve next term, there’s every chance Pulis’s charges could find themselves knocking on the door of a Europa League place.