Gareth Southgate names 5 manager of the year contenders who can beat Guardiola

28 May 2023 , 01:00

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England boss Gareth Southgate (Image: PA)

Gareth Southgate believes Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world - but the Manchester City boss still might not be his manager of the year.

Guardiola stands on the brink of emulating the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup Treble that forged Sir Alex Ferguson’s legend - and Southgate’s respect for the Catalan is obvious. But the England boss reckons Guardiola has some serious rivals ahead of the League Managers’ Association’s annual awards dinner this week.

Southgate said: “Pep is the best coach in the world in my opinion - and I’m a huge admirer of what he does. The consistency of how he drives the team is so rare.

“That’s unbelievably hard to do in our league. Whatever the depth or the size of the resource in the (City) squad, the way he has them playing, his tactical solutions, but the constant hunger and drive, I’m a huge admirer.

“Pep knows that - I’ve told him. And of course it’s been brilliant for our players to work with him and they have learned individually and tactically.

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“As much as anything, it’s about the mentality. Jack Grealish has played properly in this period - with and without the ball. That wasn’t the case two-and-a-half years ago, if I’m honest. So there’s been a lot of progress.”

Jack Grealish has enjoyed an excellent season under Guardiola (Getty Images)

But while City have once again been in a class of their own, Southgate is undecided about who to vote for in the LMA poll.

Mikel Arteta mounted an unexpected title challenge with Arsenal, while Eddie Howe guided Newcastle into Champions League.

Brighton have qualified for the Europa League under Roberto Di Zerbi and Unai Emery could be taking Aston Villa into the Europa Conference after a dramatic impact on the team he inherited and Brentford will finish in the top half under Thomas Frank.

Roberto De Zerbi has led Brighton into Europe after replacing Graham Potter ((Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))

Unai Emery has transformed Aston Villa (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Southgate said: “I don't think the vote is straightforward and unfortunately, we have to vote early.

“Of course if Pep wins two or three trophies then…but I don't think we should underestimate what De Zerbi has done.

“Mikel has had a great season, Eddie's had a great season and Thomas Frank, in terms of points for pounds, has got to be close to the best.

“Unai has done an exceptional job going in at Villa, so it wasn't a straightforward vote.

“Lots of people, at both ends of the table, have had exceptional seasons.”

Simon Mullock