Sheffeld United's Chris Wilder and the race to become Manager of the Year

The race to be crowned the best manager of the 2019/20 season might only contain two serious contenders. But Chris Wilder and Jurgen Klopp would both be worthy winners. Hence why the outcome is likely to provoke such a fierce debate.

If Wilder gets the nod, as many believe he should, he would become the first person to retain the LMA’s trophy since Steve Coppell in 2007. Having been honoured for leading Reading out of the Championship 12 months earlier - when they finished 16 points ahead of Neil Warnock’s United - the former England winger was recognised again for leading his team to an eighth placed finish in the top-flight.

That could be an encouraging sign for Wilder - with United ranked seventh before the fixture calendar was suspended because of coronavirus, having only secured promotion 13 months ago.

Previously unfancied and written-off by many as relegation certainties, the 52-year-old’s squad are only five points outside the Champions League places, having played a game less than Chelsea in fourth.

In any other season, Wilder would be a shoe-in. But with Liverpool holding the Premier League in a vice-like grip - they have failed to win only two of their 29 matches so far - Klopp is now threatening to wrestle the trophy from his counterpart’s grasp. Seemingly destined to end Anfield’s three decade long wait for the most prestigious honour in English football, the German would also be a popular choice.

To complicate the situation even further, one suspects Wilder will receive Klopp’s vote when polling begins. And, given Wilder’s recent comments about Klopp, vice versa.

Some folk argue, because there’s barely a cigarette paper between them, that gauging season on season improvement is the best way of separating the two men. United averaged 1.93 points per game in the second tier last term, compared to 1.53 this - a fall of 0.4.

By this measure, Klopp (2.55 and 2.8) would triumph. But in order to make an accurate calculation, one must factor in the journey Wilder’s men have taken to the highest level. And the speed, given that United were in League One when he was appointed in 2016, with which they have made it.

Liverpool, by contrast, were last relegated in the Fifties and came second last season.

If expenditure is factored into the equation, then Wilder is a clear winner.

Using Transfermkt.com’s estimation of transfer fees spent over the past two campaigns, Wilder has delivered a point for every £515,151 he has spent. Klopp’s figure, on the other hand, reads £966,480; £451,329 more.

Ultimately, those taking part in the ballot will make a subjective decision. If he emerges victorious, Wilder will be a worth victor. If not, it speaks volumes about United’s progress that he was even in with a shout.

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