CHOOSING a shortlist for the manager of the year role at the end of April is risky business.
Traditionally, PFA Scotland makes its selections early. Before, without a doubt, the football journalists.
On Sunday night, the great and good of Scottish football gather at a Glasgow hotel for the annual dinner honoring those chosen as the best of the best by the players and the Association of Directors and Coaches.
The problem is that they vote blindfolded. Most of the key issues have not yet been decided.
Philippe Clement may still be able to finish his first season with Rangers as treble-winning manager.
Clement and Rodgers have been excluded from the list of candidates for manager of the year
Rodgers’ Celtic team are favorites to win the Scottish Premiership title
Clement has won the League Cup and remains in the race for the title and the Scottish Cup
When Brendan Rodgers was faced with skeptical fans upon his return to Celtic, he responded with “see you in May”. And he could easily add another league and cup double to the trophies accumulated during his first spell.
It is rare that a shortlist does not include any Celtic or Rangers boss. In each of the last three seasons, Steven Gerrard or Ange Postecoglou have been recognized after comfortably securing the Premiership crown. That won’t be the case this year. As things stand, Rangers women’s coach Jo Potter is the only representative from either of the two Glasgow clubs on the shortlist.
A proper Premiership complicates matters, of course. Opting for Clement over Rodgers or Rodgers over Clement right now is like tiptoeing through a field of land mines.
However, to suggest that is the only reason Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes, Dundee’s Tony Docherty and Falkirk’s John McGlynn make up a three-man shortlist would do all three a disservice. Far from being named by default, they are there because they deserve to be.
McInnes has taken Killie back to the top flight and achieved sustained and consistent improvement on a limited budget. His side have humiliated both Celtic and Rangers and punched above their weight financially, embarrassing Aberdeen and Hibs, to secure fourth place.
McInnes, a previous winner with Aberdeen in 2013-14, could be the first Killie boss to win since Steve Clarke in 2019. And everyone knows where that led.
His friend and former assistant Tony Docherty struck out on his own last summer and led newly promoted Dundee to a top-six finish. Such has been the achievement that the midfield duo of Luke McCowan and Lyall Cameron have excelled on a Dens Park pitch more suited to synchronized swimming.
Derek McInnes has helped Killie achieve European qualification in just his second season in the top flight.
Tony Docherty has led Dundee to a top-six finish in their first season since promotion.
John McGlynn’s Falkirk have not lost a League One game this season
One of the game’s unassuming good boys, Falkirk’s John McGlynn won the award as Raith Rovers manager in 2010-11. The great youth survivor is one match away from completing an unbeaten season with Falkirk in League One, winning the title by a mile in the process.
If there is a problem with the shortlist, it is the fact that it overlooks the excellent work done by Stephen Robinson at St Mirren. Rhys McCabe from Airdrie and Gary Naysmith from Stenhousemuir.
Among Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Dundee fans, however, you won’t hear complaints from supporters about the performance of their managers. That is not the case for Celtic or Rangers fans.
The season has been tough for both groups of fans. Cursed by poor player recruitment, lacking the creativity and flair to break down a low block, consistency and excellence have been elusive.
Criticism of Celtic’s style of play under Rodgers overlooks the fact that injuries and personnel have been a much bigger problem.
The title looked to be in his pocket when he won at Ibrox and saw Michael Beale off the premises in September.
Dropping points at St Johnstone, Hibernian, Motherwell, Hearts and Kilmarnock, Rangers found new life under Clement. Until the moment they started losing points.
After winning the Viaplay Cup, Benfica ended hopes of reaching the Europa League final. During a run of two wins in eight games, they lost to Ross County and drew with Dundee, allowing Celtic to return to the top.
While Rangers and Celtic have suffered injuries to key players all season, no one would say they are old teams. Not even at its strongest. And a coach of the year is only as good as the players he has at his disposal.
