Frank Lampard's Coventry lost to Sunderland in last year's play-off semi-final but recovered to win the 2025-26 Championship title.

Frank Lampard has been named the League Managers Association manager of the year after guiding Coventry back to the Premier League. Lampard's Sky Blues finished 11 points clear at the top of the Championship to clinch the title and return to the top flight for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

The former England midfielder, who has previously managed Derby, Everton and had two spells in charge at Chelsea, was presented with the Sir Alex Ferguson award by England manager Thomas Tuchel. The award, named after the former Manchester United manager, is voted for by managers throughout the leagues and takes into account success and the resources available.

Tuchel read out a letter from Ferguson, who said Lampard's Coventry play "great football with confidence and belief". "I have enjoyed watching you. Best of luck in the Premier League next season," he added.

Brentford's Keith Andrews, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, Lincoln City's Michael Skubala and Bromley's Andy Woodman were also shortlisted.

Manchester City's Andree Jeglertz won the Women's Super League award after leading them to the title. Arteta, who led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years, won the Premier League award while Lampard also took the Championship equivalent. Skubala, who won League One with Lincoln, took the award for the third tier and Woodham won the League Two award after he led Bromley to the title.

The WSL2 award was taken by Karen Hills, who led Charlton to the WSL for the first time. Steve Bruce and Martin O'Neill were inducted into the Hall of Fame after each reaching 1,000 games as a manager.

The award for Lampard is the most significant individual honour in his coaching career. His Derby side lost in the Championship play-off final in 2019 and he was then appointed at former club Chelsea, where he spent 13 years as a player. He was sacked after 18 months in charge in 2021 but later returned as a caretaker. In between, he spent less than a year in charge of Everton during which he oversaw an escape from relegation but was later sacked.

This season his Coventry side were the Championship's highest scorers with 97 goals in 46 games. They also had the best defence. Chris Wilder, who won the award while in charge of Sheffield United in 2019, and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, the 2024 winner, are other recent managers to receive the LMA's top award while managing outside of the Premier League.

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