The Guardian
Premier League Review 2025-26: managers of the season
From the experience of Emery to European-bound Le Bris there are a handful of managers whose work stood out
Regis Le Bris (Sunderland)
Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
If the Premier League had waited until after the title was decided to release its six-man shortlist for manager of the year, one suspects Emery would have featured instead of Pep Guardiola. Despite what seems like an obvious and understandable exercise in arse-covering, the absence of the Aston Villa manager still seems extraordinary. After a dismal start in which his team took only three points from 15 available, any murmurings of disquiet were silenced by a run of 12 wins in 13 top-flight games. The squad management and tactical nous required to orchestrate such an impressive mid-season turnaround cannot be overstated, not least because Emery was hamstrung by profitability and sustainability rules, masterminding a successful Europa League campaign and coping with a midfield injury crisis. Transforming a season that began so woefully into one of the most successful in the club’s history is a remarkable feat and Emery’s name should feature prominently in any conversation about the top flight’s most impressive coach.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Keith Andrew (Brentford)
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
