McKenna beats Guardiola and Arteta to win LMA award

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been named the League Managers Association's manager of the year.

The 38-year-old, who led Ipswich back to the Premier League after a 22-year absence, beat Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta to win the award.

Everton manager Sean Dyche, Aston Villa's Unai Emery and Portsmouth boss John Mousinho were also on the LMA's shortlist.

Earlier, Guardiola was named the Premier League manager of the season, while Liverpool's Matt Beard won the Women's Super League manager of the season prize.

McKenna, born in London and raised in Northern Ireland, left his role as a first-team coach at Manchester United to take over at Ipswich in December 2021 when the Suffolk club were in League One.

In finishing second in the Championship this season, one point behind winners Leicester City, he has guided the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions.

"This award is one of the most humbling and proudest moments of my life," said McKenna, who was presented with the award by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It's the best thing in the world and I've had good experience as a first-team coach, but to be a manager in the Premier League and go up against great managers is going to be a great challenge and something I can't wait for."

Meanwhile, Guardiola, 53, oversaw another historic season as the Spaniard's side became the first English club to win four successive top-flight titles.

Also nominated for the Premier League's award were Arteta, Emery, Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola .

"I want to share it, yes, oh yes! Especially with Mikel for the incredible job he has done until the last game, bringing us to our limits," said Guardiola.

"Of course, for Jurgen, for the unforgettable battles for many, many years. And Unai, making something unbelievable again to bring Aston Villa to the Champions League.

"And Andoni, with Bournemouth, being his first season in the Premier League, doing what he has done, coming back from the tough start of the season."

Beard, 46, led Liverpool to fourth place in the WSL, their highest finish since they lifted the title in 2014.

Liverpool won their final four games, including victories over champions Chelsea and Manchester United, as they finished above the latter.

"I'm very grateful and very humbled," Englishman Beard said.

"It's great to see the work we have done has been recognised as always, we couldn't do it without the staff or the players so this award is not just about me, it's about the collective so from that side it's great recognition for everyone."

The Premier League title race went down to the final day of the season but Manchester City, who were two points clear of second-placed Arsenal, beat West Ham 3-1 to claim a sixth title since Guardiola took charge in 2016.

City's Phil Foden was named Premier League player of the season last week.

It is the fifth time Guardiola has won the top flight's award with only Ferguson (11) receiving the accolade on more occasions.

"We will defend this award as best as possible in the future," added Guardiola.