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There are plenty of contenders for the Premier League manager of the season award this season.
Naturally the winner of the title race, Manchester City or Liverpool , will mean Pep Guardiola , who picked up the award last season, or Jurgen Klopp are most likely to claim the award.
But there have been excellent jobs all the way down the table.
Mauricio Pochettino is perhaps a victim of his own success, with his recent five-game winless streak dragging Spurs into a top four battle, and perhaps ending his hopes of claiming the award.
Here are the main candidates this season.
Show all 9 1 /9Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 The contenders for Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19
AFP/Getty Images
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Pep Guardiola The reigning manager of the season has instilled fluidity in his side to swarm opposition in recent weeks to take back control of the title race
Action Images via Reuters
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Jurgen Klopp Inspired a fast start to set the pace in the title race and maintained pressure on City, flipping the side's strength from a frightening attack to a watertight defence
PA
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Nuno Blessed with talent in his squad but has exceeded expectations to comfortably survive and do so with real verve, bravely taking the game to every opponent in the league. Has guided Wolves to the most points taken from the top six (among the rest of the Premier League): 10
Action Images via Reuters
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Unai Emery Denied a full-scale revamp after taking over from Arsene Wenger, Emery has integrated both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, as well as navigating the problem with Mesut Ozil. A 22-game unbeaten streak earlier in the season and 10 straight home wins in the league have been the building blocks behind the Gunners over performing. Third place would certainly put him in the running for this award
PA
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Javi Gracia Tipped by many to be relegated, Gracia has guided Watford to safety and is competing for a top half finish. Has now guided Watford to their highest ever points total in the Premier League with the Hornets unbeaten at Vicarage Road in 2019
AFP/Getty Images
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Rafa Benitez With the turmoil at Newcastle, Benitez has managed to extract results from a poor squad to safely negotiate even featuring in a relegation battle. Victory over the potential champions Man City has been the highlight of his work this term
REUTERS
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Neil Warnock His inclusion comes with the caveat that Cardiff pull off the great escape. With a squad clearly primed for the Championship, Warnock has inspired this group to remain in contention, though it appears a big ask at this stage
Action Images via Reuters
Premier League Manager of the Season 2018/19 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Will likely not have enough games to conclusively win this, though third place, which was a distant 13 points away upon arriving to replace Jose Mourinho, or fourth, which was 11 points away, would be a magnificent achievement
REUTERS
The award will be handed out at the conclusion of the season, which ends on May 12.
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