Rafa Benitez has been shortlisted for the Premier League Barclays Football manager of the year award. The six man list includes: Rafa Benitez Sean Dyche Pep Guardiola Roy Hodgson Chris Hughton Jurgen Klopp Voting is open from now until midday on Thursday 10th May at the Barclays Football Facebook page (you need to be logged in to Facebook).
Guardiola, really? Even Pouchy could manage Man City. Not sure about Hodgson but the others have actually managed this season. Putting fan bias to one side I would give it to Rafa.
To be fair to Hodgson he's basically got Palace to safety in only 32 games given that he came in after four league defeats and no goals scored.
I'd give it to Klopp, got the champions league final, got Liverpool back into the top 4, and plays awesome attacking football. Then Dyche, then Rafa.
Palace are the first top-flight team since Liverpool in the 1899-1900 season to avoid relegation despite losing their first seven matches of the season.... Kudos Mr Hodgson
Hughton, Hodgson, Benitez and Dyche have performed actual miracles and should be the only ones considered. Liverpool are usually around 3rd or 4th, so Klopp has done adequately, maybe even a little disappointing in the league because they have the top scorer. Man City usually challenge for the league, so Guardiola has done well, but I wouldn't classify him as a miracle worker.