Lampard wins LMA manager of the year as Ferguson sends letter from recovery

Frank Lampard was named the League Managers Association’s overall manager of the year at the annual LMA awards in London, receiving the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy and a personal letter from the Manchester United legend, who is currently recovering after requiring medical treatment before United’s match against Liverpool at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Sir Alex Ferguson was unable to attend the ceremony, so England manager Thomas Tuchel stepped in to present the award and read Ferguson’s letter aloud. “Dear Frank, many congratulations on being named LMA manager of the year,” Tuchel read. “You should be very proud of what you and your team have accomplished. Your personality as a manager and a leader is so clearly defined in how your team has played great football this season — with confidence and self-belief and I have enjoyed watching you.”

Ferguson also praised Lampard’s character in the letter, adding: “I know from speaking with you that you have great humility and that important quality of a curious mind for learning. I’m sure winning this award will mean a great deal to you, Frank, and I wish you the best of luck in the Premier League next season.”

Tuchel acknowledged Ferguson’s absence before reading the letter. “It is of course not the same without Sir Alex himself and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery so that he is hopefully with us next year on stage again,” he said.

Lampard had already claimed the divisional Championship award before going on to collect the top prize. His Coventry City side won the second-tier title and secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2001.

Mikel Arteta, who was shortlisted for the overall award alongside Keith Andrews, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola, and Regis Le Bris, collected the Premier League manager of the year award alongside his staff, briefly stepping away from Arsenal’s preparations for the Champions League final to attend.

Elsewhere at the ceremony, Manchester City’s Andree Jeglertz was named Women’s Super League manager of the year, while Charlton’s Karen Hills took the WSL 2 award. Lincoln’s Michael Skubala and Andy Woodman of Bromley won the League One and League Two honours respectively.