Premier League announce shortlist for 2022/23 Manager of the Season
By Tom Gott
The Premier League have revealed their six-strong shortlist for the 2022/23 Manager of the Season award.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp picked up the prize last season but, with the Reds struggling for the vast majority of the current campaign, Klopp will not have the chance to retain his title.
Instead, the six managers battling it out for the award this time around are Mikel Arteta, Roberto De Zerbi, Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, Eddie Howe and Marco Silva.
Arteta will be a leading contender after guiding Arsenal into the Premier League title picture. The Gunners were favourites to win the title for a large part of the campaign, and although they may have come unstuck in the closing stages, there is no denying that Arsenal have exceeded expectations this season.
If Arteta is to win, he will have to see off his former mentor as Manchester City boss Guardiola, who looks set to get his hands on yet another title, is also up for the public vote.
Current Premier League table, top scorers & upcoming fixtures
Newcastle United manager Howe also deservedly makes the shortlist, having turned the Magpies into a genuine force in English football once again.
With three games remaining, Newcastle sit third in the Premier League and remain in control of their own destiny when it comes to Champions League qualification.
Slightly further down the table are Brighton, where De Zerbi has taken the world by storm with his tactical prowess and ability to compete with the Premier League's elite. Brighton are on the cusp of Europa League qualification and can boast victories over Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
De Zerbi only joined Brighton in September, one month before Emery took charge at Aston Villa. They were in the bottom five when he joined but are now on the outskirts of a European battle, having lost just seven matches since he arrived.
Finally, there is Silva, whose Fulham side were right in the battle for a Europa League spot before an end-of-season slump brought an end to dreams which the Cottagers did not believe they would have just 12 months ago.
Fans can vote for their preferred winner, with those votes being combined with a panel of experts to determine the eventual winner.
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