All season, the focus has mainly been on the star players of the Premier League but quite a few managers, some quietly and some not so quietly, have led their teams to a fantastic season. From those fighting for silverware, to those who may have proven the doubters wrong, picking a winner for Manager of the Year is a very tough decision to make.
The first name that comes to mind when thinking of oustanding managers has to be Jose Mourinho. The self-dubbed Special One is in his second season in a second stint with his beloved Chelsea, having secured the Capital One Cup and the Premier League title double this year. Mourinho's side were unbeaten until December and will break the record for most days at the top of the Premier League (274). A shoe-in for a nomination for Manager of the Year surely awaits the Portuguese countryman at the end of the campaign.
At the start of the season, many fans and pundits around the world claimed Southampton were down and out after their clearance sale over the summer. Shouts of "they'll be relegated in no time" rang around England until one man stepped in with a list of players he could bring in to replace those who departed. Ronald Koeman has blown doubters out of the water, leading the Saints among the European places and battling it out at the top of the table. The Dutch legend seems to have taken very well to English football indeed.
Besides the two standout bosses, there are one or two others who deserve praise. Alan Pardew left his post at Newcastle midway through the campaign and took over at his former club, Crystal Palace. In a place where he is written in history, Pardew helped his new side storm up the table, leaving his previous employers in the dust and nine points clear of the relegation zone. Despite a poor start and a season hampered with injuries, Arséne Wenger has done well in leading his side towards second position, for the first time since 2004-2005. The Frenchman has come under some pressure and criticism from his own fans over the past few seasons but a strong finish to this campaign just may ensure another season at the helm. Finally, Garry Monk should be among the plaudits, steering Swansea to their record points total and securing big wins over the likes of the Gunners and Manchester United. The former Swans' club captain is the youngest boss in the league and has without a doubt, proven he's a very capable manager.