Sir Alex Ferguson named LMA manager of the year

Manchester United manager scoops the top prize at the League Managers Association end-of-season awards

By Martin Caparrotta
Monday 23 May 2011, 23:01 UK

Ferguson guided Manchester United to a 19th league title this season Photo: LMA

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been voted manager of the year by his fellow managers at a glitzy awards ceremony in London on Monday night.

Ferguson has earned the League Managers Association award as recognition for Manchester United’s impressive campaign, winning the Premier League title -the 12th title of his reign -as well as reaching the Champions League final for the third time in four seasons.

The award is voted for by the LMA members, which includes all the managers from the top four professional leagues in English football.

“It is wonderful and a great honour to be acknowledged by your peers,” said Ferguson, who spoke at the awards dinner via video link from Old Trafford. “I really do appreciate being named LMA Manager of the Year and being honoured with the LMA Special Merit Award.

“It’s been such a competitive Barclays Premier League this season and I’d like to congratulate all of the managers both in this league and throughout the divisions, on a job well done this season.

“The work the LMA are doing and the foresight they are showing is fantastic. We have to support the belief that we are doing the right things and the help that we can give to all facets of the game.”

The United boss added: “We are getting more recognition now and quite rightly so because we have a great contribution to make.”

Fergsuon was also awarded the LMA’s Special Merit Award. During the season, the Scot set two distinguished personal records by surpassing 2000 games in management and becoming the longest serving manager in United’s history.

Should they defeat Barcelona in the forthcoming Champions League Final, Ferguson would also equal Bob Paisley’s record of three titles with Liverpool in Europe’s most prestigious club tournament.

Richard Bevan, the LMA chief executive, added: “What Sir Alex has achieved this season both personally and with Manchester United is extraordinary.

“At the LMA we are also extremely grateful for the amount of time and dedication he willingly provides to our association and our members.”