The stop-gap 2019/20 Premier League season came to an enthralling end on the final day of the season. On the final day, the top-four were decided along with the relegation battle coming to an end. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard rode their luck on the final day as their side found themselves in top-four. On the other end, Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth failed to retain its place in the top-flight despite his efforts. One thing that can be observed throughout the league was the managers and his team’s sheer brilliance that helped them to sail through.
Few managers lost their jobs throughout the campaign. Arsenal’s Unai Emery couldn’t last longer than Christmas whereas Everton appointed Carlo Ancelotti in place of Manuel Pellegrini. Watford changed five managers throughout the campaign but couldn’t withstand relegation.
However, there were few brilliant managers in the 2019/20 season. Though Jurgen Klopp, Frank Lampard, Brendan Rodgers, and Chris Wilder have been nominated for the “Manager of the Season”, we have tweaked it a bit. Here is a list of managers by Sports Courant who deserve to be in the list of “Top three managers”:
#1) Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
The former Borussia Dortmund manager arrived at Anfield in 2015. The German manager promised the trophy for his fans by the end of four years. Not only he kept the promise, but also made Liverpool a dominant side in England. His mastermind instinct in the transfer market helped him to maul his direct opponent, Pep Guardiola in the 2019/20 season.
Jurgen Klopp had a great season in 2019/20. He won the Super Cup and Club World Cup along with the Premier League title for the first time. Also, on the personal front, Klopp won the coveted “manager of the month” five times this season. In 57 games, Jurgen Klopp has 41 victories and has lost just eight matches. Liverpool were all set to repeat the “Invincibles of 2003-04” but failed to do so. However, the Merseysiders under Jurgen Klopp maintained the near-perfect record in the 2019/20 season.
#2) Chris Wilder (Sheffield United)
When Sheffield United earned promotion into the top flight ahead of the 2019/20 season, everyone thought that Sheffield would be in the relegation battle. However, it was the complete reversal of fortunes for the Blades. They not only kept their place in the Premier League but were also in the contention of getting a place in Europe.
Chris Wilder is the man behind Sheffield’s best season. The team ended up eighth in the league despite their efforts to finish strong. He earned the nomination for the “Manager of the Month” several times but ended up on the other side. However, Wilder is again nominated for the “manager of the season” and it remains interesting to see if he can get that.
On the other hand, Wilder is famous for tactical awareness. The demands of the Premier League is different to that of Championship. However, the 52-year-old tweaked his side to the perfection and registered 14 victories and 12 draws in 38 games. The pandemic wasn’t kind for the club as the team missed out on the European spot.
#3) Esperito Nuno Santo (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
It was Wolverhampton Wanderers’ second season in the top flight and exceeded the expectations of Molineux fans. Wolves finished the season on the sixth spot despite their attempts to secure the Champions League or Europa League spot for the 2020/21 season. However, the pandemic wasn’t a good one for Portuguese gaffer whose campaign stumbled after the enforced break.
However, Wolverhampton Wanderers are still in Europe and can clinch the Champions League spot if they go onto win the title. Esperito Nuno Santo led his side to the last-8 stage of the Europa League and are set to face Sevilla in the quarterfinals.
In Premier League, Santo matched Pep Guardiola’s brilliance and won home and away against Manchester City. In one of the games, Wolves came from 2 goals behind to win the game. 15 games and 14 draws in 38 games speak up the volume for Portuguese.
Honourable mentions: Carlo Ancelotti and Brendan Rodgers.
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