Who won the EFL Awards? Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna picks up top gong as ex-Man Utd coach closes in on promotion

8 months ago 69

GOODNESS knows what the bill was for hiring the swanky Grosvenor Hotel in Park Lane on Sunday night for the EFL awards.

Some guests were paying as much as almost £500 a head just to get a seat before being stung even more at the bar for overpriced bottles of beer, wine and fizz.

But all the great and good of the EFL were suited and booted — or wearing their best frocks — at the black tie event for the annual extravaganza.

And here I break down all the winners as well as the runners and riders who they beat as well as the much-anticipated divisional teams of the year

CHAMPIONSHIP

MANAGER OF THE SEASON

WINNER – KIERAN McKENNA (Ipswich)

THIS was the worst-kept secret of the night with the Northern Irishman a shoo-in to win the top gong on the managerial front.

What McKenna has achieved at Ipswich is nothing short of miraculous.

Despite having a budget that is a fraction of those enjoyed by the three relegated Premier League clubs Leicester, Leeds and Southampton, the newly-promoted Suffolk club have been punching with them in what has been one of the most exciting races at the top in Championship history.

McKenna – who cut his teeth coaching at Tottenham before climbing the ladder at Manchester United to assistant coach — took over the Tractor Boys just two and a half years ago when they were mid-table League One fodder.

After grabbing promotion as runners-up to Plymouth, he has only tweaked slightly with the squad, bringing in George Hirst, Jack Taylor and Ali Al-Hamadi, who have mostly been used as subs.

Even his loan signings Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea) and Jack Taylor (Man United) have been deployed off the bench — and he beefed up his attack by bringing back Kieffer Moore to the club on loan from Bournemouth.

It is incredible to think the Tractor Boys are yet to lose two league games on the spin under his management and they have also broken the highest points total record for a newly-promoted club to the Championship.

A popular man at the club, he has built a superb culture based on hard work, following a clear plan and a hunger to learn and develop.

If he gets Ipswich promoted, he should win the main manager of the year award across the entire English football spectrum.

RUNNERS-UP

DANIEL FARKE (Leeds)

THE German is chasing a perfect hat-trick of Championship titles — having won with Norwich in his only other two previous seasons managing in English football’s second tier.

He walked into chaos at Elland Road after their relegation with players queuing up for the exit.

It was not until after the transfer window closed in September that he had a settled squad bedded down. If the team fails to go up, it will be that first month that will have ultimately cost them.

LIAM ROSENIOR (Hull)

A bright young coach who cut his teeth as Wayne Rooney’s No2 at Derby, who decided to get rid of him and go for Paul Warne instead.

But he has done a great job back in the Championship with his former club instead.

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The swanky Grosvenor Hotel was the scene for the EFL Awards[/caption]

However, if the Tigers fail to make the play-offs after the investment put in by the club’s Turkish owner, the season will be seen as a failure.

A surprise nomination.

PLAYER OF THE SEASON

CRYSENCIO SUMMERVILLE (Leeds)

HAS been scintillating for the men from Elland Road but then he should be in the Championship.

His 17 goals and eight assists have been crucial in giving Leeds a puncher’s chance to win an instant promotion back to the Premier League.

The Dutchman knuckled down after any possible move out of Elland Road did not materialise following relegation.

Aged 22, he can get better – but at times he is unplayable.

Until Saturday’s loss against Blackburn, he had played a huge part in making Elland Road a fortress.

RUNNERS-UP

Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn), Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester)

Archie Gray celebrates winning at the EFL Awards[/caption]

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON

ARCHIE GRAY (Leeds)

WHAT an incredible season for the academy graduate.

The midfielder only broke into the side this season and at the age of just 18 has started 38 of Leeds’ 43 Championship games, and came off the bench for three others.

He is one of the first names Daniel Farke puts on his team sheet every week.

Had his first senior goal against Leicester taken off him and awarded as an own goal – but scored on his England Under-21s debut instead.

LEAGUE ONE

MANAGER OF THE SEASON

WINNER – JOHN MOUSINHO (Portsmouth)

WHEN Pompey announced John Mousinho as their new manager last season to replace Danny Cowley, fans were so underwhelmed.

Some even thought they had misheard or that the South Coast club had littered the new manager’s name with typos … because surely they meant Jose Mourinho was the new boss, not Mousinho?

But Mousinho, who gave up his job as chairman of the PFA to take the role, is quickly emerging as one of the bright sparks in the EFL.

Kenny Jackett and the Cowleys could not get the club across the line in their bid to get back into the upper divisions of English football.

Made some clever signings this season. Keeper Will Norris has been superb along with the likes of Conor Shaughnessy, Abu Kamara was a great loan capture from Norwich.

Plays good football and only needs a point to secure Championship football for the first time in 12 years.

RUNNERS-UP

DARREN FERGUSON (Peterborough)

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S son is like a boomerang for Posh … they throw him away and he keeps coming back.

Now in his fourth spell as boss he is hoping to secure his fourth promotion to the Championship with the club to add to his other to League One.

Has led the team to Bristol Street Motors Trophy glory … and nurtured some incredible talent at London Road.

Local lad Harrison Burrows, who netted the two goals in their Wembley triumph against Wycombe, is the best left-back in League One and very much in the Leif Davis mould at Ipswich.

Defender Ronnie Edwards has also developed under Ferguson. The club turned down bids worth millions in the January window.

Darren Ferguson holds the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Final aloft[/caption]

STEVE EVANS (Stevenage)

One of the EFL’s characters. Evans is one of the best managers in the lower divisions and to have had Stevenage in with a shout of making the Championship having saved them from relegation to the National League is nothing short of remarkable.

Unfortunately Borough look like they’re going to just fall short of making the play-offs but that does not take anything away from the job Evans has done.

PLAYER OF THE SEASON

HARRISON BURROWS (Peterborough)

LEFT-BACK Harrison Burrows is going to have a bright future in the game and has been the standout player in the division this season.

His two-goal match-winning performance for Posh in the EFL Trophy final against Wycombe was Roy of the Rovers stuff.

The local boy is a lifelong Peterborough fan and his first trip to Wembley was to watch his heroes lift the same trophy when he was 12 ten years ago.

His 13 assists and six goals have put Posh in with a shout for promotion and it’s no surprise Celtic tried to tempt the club to sell him in January with a bid.

Great footballer and bloke too.

Harrison Burrows has been a standout for Peterborough this season[/caption]

RUNNERS-UP

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Derby), Marlon Pack (Portsmouth)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON

RONNIE EDWARDS (Peterborough)

The 21-year-old defender has been a sensation for Posh.

Already he has clocked 138 games and is almost certainly going to be on his way soon with Premier League clubs set to pounce this summer.

Is a mature head on young shoulders, very solid, great in the air and an extremely confident passer of the ball.

Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and teams from Germany and Belgium have been tracking the wonderkid.

LEAGUE TWO

MANAGER OF THE SEASON

WINNER – NIGEL CLOUGH (Mansfield)

FORMER England, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool ace Nigel Clough has understandably never got anywhere near the heights of his famous late day Brian.

But Clough is certainly one of the best managers in League One and Two. The work he previously did with Burton is testament to that.

And this season up against big clubs like Wrexham and Stockport — who secured promotion at the weekend — he has managed to get the Stags punching in with them. One more win from their last three games will see them also promoted to the third tier.

I reckon he’ll do well with the Stags in the higher division too. Can he get them into the Championship like he did with Burton?

RUNNERS-UP

LEE BELL (Crewe)

THE ALEX boss has had his team punching well and truly above their weight this season.

When I visited Bell at Gresty Road some weeks ago, he told me the club had the third lowest budget in the division … yet they are in the play-offs.

MIKE WILLIAMSON (MK Dons)

FORMER Newcastle defender took over in October after the Dons sacked Graham Alexander.

He has done an admirable job getting MK into the automatic promotion picture but they will almost certainly have to contend with the play offs.

PLAYER OF THE SEASON

JODI JONES (Notts County)

THE assist king of the EFL. He set up a County goal for the 23rd time this season in their 3-1 win at Walsall.

It is just a pity that his efforts have not been enough to keep Notts in the promotion hunt.

League Two Player of the Season Jodi Jones is the assist king this campaign[/caption]

The 26-year-old has also fired six goals this term too.

RUNNERS-UP

Davis Keillor-Dunn (Mansfield), Elliot Lee (Wrexham)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ROB APTER (Tranmere)

TWENTY-year-old Scouser has been in brilliant form on loan from Blackpool this term.

It’s a surprise his parent club, who have given him a new contract until 2027, have not wanted the right-midfielder to be part of their League One campaign – but their loss this season has been Rovers’ gain.

He is a tidy footballer with good passing, work-rate and engine. He will be playing at a higher level before long.