Managers always get criticised and sometimes the sack whenever their teams aren’t getting the results. Therefore when a manager get his team and results right, he deserves credit.
There have been brilliant managements this year and with the season almost through, it is time to determine who was the best manager of 2013-14. Here are the list of candidates contending for the award and my reasons why.
Roberto Martinez – Everton B+
Managing Everton would always prove a challenge, especially when replacing David Moyes, who had created stability in the football club.
Roberto Martinez arrived to a mixed reception after relegating Wigan but winning the FA Cup. However he has performed with aplomb.
In his first season, he has already turned them into Champions League contenders, endearing him to the Everton fans. His dedication to scouting and using available youth has been a highlight.
This season has been a success, no matter whatever happens. He has to look forward to next year and how he will bolster his squad to cope with European football.
Jose Mourinho – Chelsea B+
His return was christened as the second coming by the media. Although his present squad isn’t as strong as his previous, especially with the absence of an in-form striker, they are the second strongest in the country and much was expected of him this season.
He still has an outside chance of winning the league and Chelsea have been the only English club to reach the semi-finals in the Champions League. That proves it’s not been a complete poor season.
His only criticism has been his insistence on his ‘parking the bus’ tactics. But not losing to the teams in the current top four is proof that he is still a top manager.
But, note to Roman Abramovich, buying a striker would help them with their domestic and European ambitions next season.
Manuel Pellegrini – Manchester City B-
Inheriting a very good squad and spending almost 100 million to bolster it, winning only the league cup this season would be considered a failure. Much was expected from his team with the players at his disposal. He started the season brightly but their away form almost cost them the title.
With the knowledge that his team have to win their three remaining games to lift the Premier league title, he will ensure his team do not slip up at this crucial time.
His objective for next season would be to go even further in the Champions League.
Tony Pulis – Crystal Palace A-
No team has ever climbed more than three places when bottom at November. Adjusting the table from when he became their manager, it shows Crystal Palace would be in eighth position and conceded the second least amount of goals.
These just shows how far Tony Pulis has taken the team.
The team were rock bottom when he became manager and were already been predicted to go down by many. But in stepped Pulis with a reputation of never being relegated. He has done this again.
He has already put his trademark ‘defensive stamp’ on the team and claimed the ‘Barclays Manager of the month of April’. A few purchases in the transfer market would help him push the club forward.
Brendan Rodgers – Liverpool FC A+
Nobody anticipated a title challenge from a club ending the previous season in seventh position. Liverpool started the season with the objective of qualifying for the Champions League.
This was predicted to be an ‘impossible’ task due to the investments other challengers had made.
Brendan Rodgers has brought the best of his thin squad; particularly the development of his young talents such as Raheem Sterling, Coutinho and Henderson.
Also, the positioning of Steven Gerrard into the deep lying playmaker position was genius.
He has also adapted to playing with two strikers. Many say it’s because Liverpool are not in any European competition but the fact that no team uninvolved in Champions League football has ever won the Premier League shows how far he has brought the team.
My Prediction?
It will be a close battle between Tony Pulis and Brendan Rodgers due to both managers inspiring both clubs into great performances and results.
My Verdict?
Brendan Rodgers will deservedly clinch it.
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