There could only be one winner - LMA Manager of the Year

[fulhamguy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8673848.stm

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson voted manager of the year
Roy Hodgson
Hodgson has taken Fulham to the Europa League final in Hamburg

Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been voted manager of the year by a record margin after steering the west London club to the Europa League final.

Hodgson received the award from the League Managers Association after a poll of coaches, including managers from the top four leagues in England.

Fulham face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, league sponsor Barclays named Harry Redknapp manager of the year and Wayne Rooney the top player.

Hodgson's award is recognition for a remarkable season in which he masterminded Fulham's progress to their first European final, while securing a 12th place finish in the Premier League.

The Cottagers played 18 matches on the road to the final in a campaign that began in July, overcoming the likes of Juventus, Shakhtar, Wolfsburg and Hamburg.

Despite minimal spending in the transfer market, the club never flirted with relegation and only struggled for form at the end of the season when Hodgson began to rest players with the Europa League in mind.

Hodgson arrived at Fulham in December 2007 and led the club on a run of 12 points from their last five games to ensure Premier League survival on the last day of the season.

Last year they achieved their highest ever league position of seventh.
   
He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said Hodgson received an "overwhelming" number of votes from the association's 256 members, made up of all 92 league clubs' bosses, retired coaches, and those still involved in the game below managerial level.

"Roy won the LMA Manager of the Year Award by the most significant margin in the history of the award," said Bevan.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football."

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: "Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries.

"He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had led calls for Hodgson to be given the award, describing his achievements as "miraculous," while Tottenham boss Redknapp called them "unbelievable".

Last week, Hodgson admitted he would like to lead a "big club" in the future but vowed to remain at Fulham for the time being.
   
606: DEBATE
Who has had the better season, Roy Hodgson or Harry Redknapp?

In his 34-year managerial career, Hodgson has coached Halmstads, Bristol City, Orebro, Malmo, Neuchatel Xamax, Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Grasshopper, Copenhagen, Udinese, Viking, and Fulham.

He led Switzerland to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 96, also managing the United Arab Emirates and Finland.

Redknapp's award comes after Spurs qualified for the Champions League by beating the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool to fourth place.

Manchester United striker Rooney's prize completes a hat-trick after he already collected the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' awards for this season.

The LMA also awarded a special merit award to former England boss Steve McClaren, who led FC Twente to the first Dutch league title in their 45-year history.

[fulhamguy]

I think it's fair to say we are all agreed, very happy for Woy to be getting recognition in this country that is so badly craved.

We love you Roy!!

[MrMuggins]

Fulham Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said:

"I am delighted that Roy should win this award, he's not just a great football manager he is a splendid human being. It is a pleasure to work with him and we have a great relationship.

"This award shows that occasionally football makes the right decision, and Roy is it; now all he has to do is win the Europa League competition and I will pay the excess baggage for him to bring the trophy back. Congratulations!"

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/HodgsonManagersAward.aspx#ixzz0nZ8tDW7V

Is there no end to Mo's generosity? Hehe.

Well done Roy.  One of the few modest heroes!

[os5889]

Please miss queeny bopper knight Mr Hodgson! A legend of the game, truly a legend!

[MrCheviot]

blah blah ROY blah blah BIGGEST MARGIN IN HISTORY OF AWARD blah blah blah...

[cebu]

blah blah ROY blah blah BIGGEST MARGIN IN HISTORY OF AWARD blah blah blah...

Sometimes everything IS right in this world. Well done Roy! Well done other managers who made the right choice.  :045:

[RidgeRider]

I guess we all knew this was coming even if we were all a bit chuffed about Rednapp winning the other less prestigious award. This is truly a remarkable achievement and one we should all be proud of him for, as he clearly is the single point of change in the direction and fortunes of the organization, not taking anything away from Mo, but this is fantastic.

[os5889]

Bump

[Rupert]

Bearing in mind he really ought to have won it last season, it is only right that he was such a decisive choice this time round. Now, if only he can make the fantasy season a complete success tomorrow, the knighthood really might be on the cards.

[White Noise]

It is just unreal - all of it.

To have a Fulham manager who wins a 'Manager of the Month Award' is pretty difficult to comprehend but when his peers all agree that no other manager comes close to his achievements for the season then you really do have to look closely at the name on your ticket to check you haven't 'Life on Mars' type accident!

[mrska]

Just shows the good guys, who play fair, can win sometimes.  fantastic day for Fulham and football, as would be a win tomorrow..

[Steve_orino]

Congrats to Roy!  Well deserved and we couldn't be prouder.

[LBNo11]

...Sir Roy voted Manager Of The Year on Football Forums:-

http://www.footballforums.net/forums/showthread.php?t=249137