Michael Skubala Scoops LMA League One Manager of the Year Award

May 26, 2026 Gary Lincoln City, News 0

Credit Graham Burrell

Yeah, he’s at it again. Michael Skubala has picked up yet another award, this time being named LMA Manager of the Year for League One.

The League Managers Association Awards are held every year, with the main prize being the LMA Manager of the Year award. Unlike some honours, it is voted for by fellow professional managers, which means the winner is not always the one with the biggest budget or the most obvious trophy success.

That has allowed managers from outside the Premier League to be recognised for outstanding work. Previous winners from the EFL include Peter Reid at Sunderland, Danny Wilson at Barnsley, Alan Curbishley at Charlton, Steve Coppell at Reading, Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, Chris Wilder at Sheffield United and, most recently, Kieran McKenna after guiding Ipswich Town from League One to the Premier League in successive seasons.

Michael didn’t win manager of the year – that’s likely to go to Frank Lampard but it hasn’t been announced at the time of writing. He has, however, won Manager of the Year for League One, which isn’t a huge surprise. Given our record number of points, unbeaten run and all that, he was a shoo-in. In fact, it’s a bit of a surprise he wasn’t given the main award, as he’s surely done the best job of all, outperforming his budget by 17 places.

It is still a hugely proud moment for Michael, who we believe is on the cusp of signing a new deal with the Imps, which will see him at the helm when we finally arrive in the Championship in a couple of months time. He is currently in the running for the Bristol City job, but it is being widely reported that is set to go to Tommy Elphick, who is leaving AFC Bournemouth.

At the time of writing, Mikel Arteta has won the Premier League Manager of the Year, and Andy Woodman has taken the League Two Award.