Pulis Named EPL Manager Of TheYear; Rodgers Bags LMA Manager Of Year

  CRYSTAL Palace manager Tony Pulis has been rewarded for his side’s remarkable late-season recovery by being named the official Barclays Premier League manager of the year, while Brendan Rodgers took out the League Managers Association (LMA) manager of the year award.

Pulis can reflect proudly on a magnificent six months at Palace after looking doomed when he took over in November, stuck in the drop zone when the 56-year-old replaced Ian Holloway.
Having accumulated four points from their opening 11 games to sit six points from safety, the Welshman took the reins and steered the Eagles up to 11th place and was rewarded for his efforts with the division’s award.
 It was the first time in five attempts that the London side had survived a season in the Premier League without being relegated.

On receiving the award, Pulis said: “We finished sixth in the Championship last season and 11th in the Premier League this season. That’s a 15 place jump!

“But it’s not just about me. It’s about Steve Parish (chairman) and three other directors, the supporters and the players.”
Despite his side faltering in the final stages of a thrilling title race which had Manchester City winning the Premier League by two points, it was Rodgers who received the majority vote of the 92 league managers who decide the LMA award.
It has been the attacking style of Liverpool that has won over many neutrals in a sizzling campaign in the top flight and on picking up the award, Rodgers, referring to the City celebration in Manchester, joked: “I was hoping to be on the open-top bus tonight.”
LMA chairman, Howard Wilkinson, said: “There can be no greater tribute to a manager and his work than a tribute awarded by his match day foes and peers. We applaud Brendan Rodgers as he receives that most valuable award.
“Liverpool’s performances and results this season have provoked memories of some of those momentous years in the past when they had to contend with those two Uniteds — the first from Leeds, the second from Manchester.
“For Liverpool and Brendan, I’m sure we all hope this season marks the beginning of a new voyage and a new era.”