Frank Lampard and Peers Contend for EFL Championship Manager Award
Frank Lampard, along with Alex Neil, Sergei Jakilović, and Kim Helberg, has been nominated for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season Award as part of the 2026 EFL Awards. The winners will be unveiled live during the league’s annual ceremony on Sunday, April 19, at 8:30 PM, with coverage airing on Sky Sports Football.
Coventry City’s Standout Performance
Coventry City’s Frank Lampard is a frontrunner for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season title after steering his team to the top of the league table. He is up against notable competitors including Alex Neil of Millwall, Jakilović from Hull City, and Kim Helberg of Middlesbrough, all of whom have their teams in a strong position for promotion as the season draws to a close.
Player of the Season Nominees Highlight Individual Brilliance
The race for the EFL Championship Player of the Season features four exceptional contenders who have significantly influenced their teams’ promotion efforts, specifically in the scoring department. Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough has emerged as a key player in midfield, demonstrating consistent performance for his boyhood club. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has also made a notable impact for Coventry City, while Millwall’s Femi Azeez shines with eight goals and seven assists. Notably, Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik, the league’s current top scorer with 20 goals, is also among the nominees.
League One Sees Diverse Managerial Talent
In the League One category, the Manager of the Season award will see fierce competition among four candidates: Michael Skvara, who has successfully led Lincoln City to promotion, and Graham Alexander of Bradford City. Additionally, Brian Barry-Murphy, representing Cardiff City, and Alex Revell from Stevenage are also in contention.
League Two Nominees Underscore Excellence Across Clubs
In League Two, the shortlist for Manager of the Season features Andy Woodman from Bromley, Paul Warne of Milton Keynes Dons, Mickey Mellon of Oldham Athletic, and Neil Harris from Cambridge United. The Player of the Season award will be contested among Bromley’s Mitch Pinnock and Omar Sowamni, as well as Aaron Drinan from Swindon Town and Callum Patterson of Milton Keynes Dons.
Acknowledging Young Talent and Community Contributions
The EFL Young Player of the Season Awards will once again recognize outstanding young talents from across the league, alongside the announcements of the EFL Team of the Season and Goal of the Season on the same night. Additionally, the prestigious League Football Award and the Sir Tom Finney Award will be presented, celebrating individuals who have made substantial contributions to the game both on and off the pitch.
A Range of Awards to Celebrate Off-the-Pitch Contributions
On the night, seven off-the-pitch awards will honor the dedication of clubs, players, staff, and supporters, including the Community Club of the Season. Nominees for this award include Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Bristol Rovers. The Community Player of the Season award will recognize a player’s exceptional contributions to their local community, with last year’s winner, Taylor Moore of Bristol Rovers, shortlisted again, alongside Will Vokes from Oxford United and Hamish Douglas of Rotherham United.
