Premier League manager of the season: Have your say in our poll

Michael Carrick

Manager of the season

He may have only been in the Manchester United hot seat since January, but Michael Carrick has more than made his mark.

The former England international returned to Old Trafford on an interim basis in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, with United floundering outside the Champions League places

But since Carrick took charge, United have picked up the most points in the Premier League (41) and sealed qualification for next season's Champions League with an impressive third-place finish.

Carrick was rewarded for his successful interim stint by having his appointment made permanent earlier this month.

My manager of the season - Mikel Arteta

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

There are plenty of contenders for manager of the year but in the end my pick is Mikel Arteta for ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the Premier League title and taking them to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

The pressure to deliver was on this season and he has.

Mikel Arteta

Manager of the season

Only one manager can win the Premier League each season, and in the 2025/26 campaign, it was Mikel Arteta.

After three second-place finishes in a row, Arteta became the first manager since 2004 to guide the Gunners to the Premier League title.

The Spaniard could complete a remarkable double this weekend when Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Games: 38

Wins: 26

Draws: 7

Losses: 5

Position: 1st

My manager of the season - Daniel Farke

Manager of the season

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

There were rumours about Daniel Farke’s future before the season had even begun.

Leeds were reported to have explored other options before sticking with the German, and by December his side were in the relegation zone, with his position again under scrutiny.

However, a win against Chelsea and a draw with Liverpool in successive matches, in a new formation, helped steady the ship.

Farke and Leeds did not look back from that point, finishing on 47 points in 14th place — closer to the European spots than the relegation zone.

It represents an impressive managerial achievement, given Leeds did not spend more than £20m on an individual player and did not significantly strengthen the squad after winning the Championship last summer.

Games: 38

Wins: 11

Draws: 14

Losses: 13

Position: 14th

Pep Guardiola

Manager of the season

It is not the Hollywood ending Pep Guardiola would have had in mind when he thought about leaving Manchester City.

But a second-place finish in the Premier League is an impressive final act for Guardiola, if it proves to be his last in English football.

Since winning the Premier League title four times in a row between 2021 and 2024, Guardiola has been gradually rebuilding his squad at the Etihad, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker having left in recent seasons.

City’s second-place finish - coupled with a Carabao Cup and FA Cup double - ensures they are in a strong position to begin life after Guardiola.

Matches: 38

Wins: 23

Losses: 6

Draws: 9

Position: 2nd

Post

Ben Ramsdale

BBC Sport

Please stop shouting at me about Unai Emery please I didn't make the list!

There are A LOT of you getting in touch about the Aston Villa manager though, and rightly so by the way.

The six names on the poll are the six officially shortlisted by the Premier League - we've just added an 'other' option in there for you which of course can include the Villa boss.

My manager of the season - Regis le Bris

Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

With a strong nod of appreciation to Mikel Arteta, who has built something over time at Arsenal that rightfully saw them crowned champions and swept them into the Champions League final, I think it is worth fully grasping what Le Bris has done at Sunderland.

Fifteen minutes from the end of their play-off final with Sheffield United last season, they were out.

From that momentous Wembley comeback, Le Bris has built a squad that started the campaign so well, they were clear of relegation trouble, then responded to a run of one win in six game to the middle of March by completing the double over Newcastle.

Victories in their last two games has secured a place in Europe next season for the first time since 1974. That is truly phenomenal.

Regis le Bris

Manager of the season

It seems everything Regis le Bris touches turns to gold.

Since arriving at Sunderland in June 2024, the Frenchman has not only guided the Black Cats back to the Premier League but also led them to their first European qualification in 53 years.

Sunderland were one of the season's surprise packages, more than holding their own in their first top-flight campaign in nine years.

Their Europa League place was underpinned by a formidable home record, with just three defeats all season.

Games: 38

Wins: 14

Draws: 12

Losses: 12

Position: 7th

Andoni Iraola

Manager of the season

When it comes to the Manager of the Season award, it is impossible not to mention Andoni Iraola.

In his final season at the Vitality Stadium, Iraola defied the odds to guide Bournemouth to Europa League qualification with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

It could have been even better for the Cherries had Aston Villa finished fifth, they would have been playing Champions League football next season.

But that will not dampen the mood among Bournemouth supporters, who will celebrate a remarkable campaign.

After losing Kepa Arrizabalaga, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez last summer, followed by Antoine Semenyo in January, Iraola ensured there was no drop-off. Instead, he used it as motivation to lead the Cherries to European qualification for the first time in their history.

Bournemouth capped off the season with a 18-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Games: 38

Wins: 13

Draws: 18

Losses: 7

Position: 6th

Hello!

Good melting...

I mean good morning!

We've got a bit of a different one coming up for you today and require you all getting involved.

It's the BBC Sport readers' end of season awards.

We'll be going through everything from young player of the season to signing of the season and require you to have your say.

A handful of options will be thrown your way and you can cast your votes via the poll at the top of this page.

And of course you can have your say as we go by clicking the 'Get Involved' button.

First on the agenda - manager of the season.

Click here to read article