SFWA Manager of the Year

{{Infobox award

| name = SFWA Manager of the Year

| subheader =

| image = File:O'Neill, Martin.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Martin O'Neill won the award twice during his five seasons with Celtic

| awarded_for = The outstanding manager in each given Scottish football season

| sponsor =

| country = Scotland

| presenter = Scottish Football Writers' Association

| former name =

| year = 1987

| year2 = 2024

| holder_label = Manager of the Season

| holder = Derek McInnes

| most_awards = Walter Smith (7)

}}

The Scottish Football Writers' Association Manager of the Year (often called the SFWA Manager of the Year, or simply the Scottish Manager of the Year) award is given to the manager in Scottish football who is seen to have been the best manager of the previous season. The award is voted for by the members of the Scottish Football Writers' Association.

The award was first given in 1987, and was won by Dundee United boss Jim McLean. The award has been won by a manager in the top division of the Scottish football league system in all but two years, 1990, when the award went to Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh and 1995 when the award was given to Jimmy Nicholl who managed Raith Rovers in the First Division. There is a similar award made by PFA Scotland, the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year, which was first given in 2007.

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List of winners

As of 2024, the award has been presented 38 times and won by 24 different managers. Walter Smith (7), Neil Lennon (3), Martin O'Neill (2), Dick Advocaat (2), Steve Clarke (2), Derek McInnes (2) and Ange Postecoglou (2) have won the award more than once. McInnes is the only manager to have won the award with more than one club.

Season	Manager	Club	class="unsortable"\|Notes	class="unsortable"\|Ref{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/manager-of-the-year \|title=MANAGER OF THE YEAR \| publisher=SFWA \| access-date=12 May 2023}}
class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
1986–87	{{sortname\|Jim\|McLean}}	Dundee United		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1987–88	{{sortname\|Billy\|McNeill}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1988–89	{{sortname\|Graeme\|Souness}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1989–90	{{sortname\|Andy\|Roxburgh}}	Scotland		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1990–91	{{sortname\|Alex\|Totten}}	St Johnstone		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1991–92	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1992–93	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1993–94	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1994–95	{{sortname\|Jimmy\|Nicholl}}	Raith Rovers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1995–96	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1996–97	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1997–98	{{sortname\|Wim\|Jansen}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1998–99	{{sortname\|Dick\|Advocaat}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1999–00	{{sortname\|Dick\|Advocaat}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2000–01	{{sortname\|Martin\|O'Neill}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2001–02	{{sortname\|John\|Lambie\|John Lambie (footballer, born 1941)}}	Partick Thistle		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2002–03	{{sortname\|Alex\|McLeish}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2003–04	{{sortname\|Martin\|O'Neill}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2004–05	{{sortname\|Tony\|Mowbray}}	Hibernian		{{cite web \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4505709.stm \|title=Hartson wins writers' top prize \|publisher=BBC Sport \|date=2 May 2005 \|accessdate=23 September 2012}}
2005–06	{{sortname\|Gordon\|Strachan}}	Celtic		{{ Cite web\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4906162.stm \| title=Strachan is writers' boss of year \| publisher=BBC Sport \| date=13 April 2006 }}
2006–07	{{sortname\|Gordon\|Strachan}}	Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite web \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6615155.stm \|title=Nakamura gets top writers' prize \|publisher=BBC Sport \|date=2 May 2007 \|accessdate=12 May 2013}}
2007–08	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2008–09	{{sortname\|Csaba\|László\|dab=footballer, born 1964}}	Heart of Midlothian		{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/hearts/5320577/Csaba-Laszlo-gets-second-Scotland-manager-of-the-year-award.html \|title=Csaba Laszlo gets second Scotland manager of the year award \|work=Daily Telegraph \|publisher=Telegraph Media Group \|date=13 May 2009 \|accessdate=12 May 2013 \|first=Roddy \|last=Forsyth}}
2009–10	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8657569.stm \|date=2 May 2010 \|accessdate=12 May 2013 \|publisher=BBC Sport \|title=Davis crowned player of the year}}
2010–11	{{sortname\|Mixu\|Paatelainen}}	Kilmarnock		{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13406778.stm \|date=15 May 2011 \|accessdate=16 May 2011 \|publisher=BBC Sport \|title=More awards for Izaguirre, Goodwillie and Paatelainen}}
2011–12	{{sortname\|Neil\|Lennon}}	Celtic		{{cite news \|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/title-just-the-start-for-lennon.17505050 \|date=6 May 2012 \|accessdate=23 September 2012 \|publisher=Herald & Times Group \|work=Sunday Herald \|first=Stewart \|last=Fisher \|title=Title just the start for Lennon}}
2012–13	{{sortname\|Neil\|Lennon}}	Celtic		{{cite news \|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/lennon-says-winning-manager-of-year-a-privilege-1-2926564 \|date=12 May 2013 \|accessdate=12 May 2013 \|publisher=Johnston Publishing \|work=Scotland on Sunday \|first=Andrew \|last=Smith \|title=Lennon says winning manager of year 'a privilege' }}
2013–14	{{sortname\|Derek\|McInnes}}	Aberdeen	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aberdeen/10807943/Derek-McInnes-hits-the-heights-with-Aberdeen-after-suffering-pain-of-failure-at-Bristol-City.html \|title=Derek McInnes hits the heights with Aberdeen after suffering pain of failure at Bristol City \|first=Roddy \|last=Forsyth \|work=Daily Telegraph \|publisher=Telegraph Media Group \|date=4 May 2014 \|accessdate=5 May 2014}}
2014–15	{{sortname\|John\|Hughes\|dab=footballer, born 1964}}	width="200px"\| Inverness Caledonian Thistle	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite news \|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/john-hughes-still-inspired-by-tragic-craig-gowans-1-3781717 \|first=Moira \|last=Gordon \|title=John Hughes still inspired by tragic Craig Gowans \|work=Scotland on Sunday \|date=23 May 2015 \|accessdate=24 May 2015}}
2015–16	{{sortname\|Jim\|McIntyre\|dab=footballer}}	Ross County		{{cite news \|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/14490084.Paatelainen__39_s_fate_not_lost_on_McIntyre_as_Ross_County_manager_counts_his_blessings/ \|title=Paatelainen's fate not lost on McIntyre as Ross County manager counts his blessings \|first=Euan \|last=McArthur \|work=The Herald \|publisher=Herald & Times Group \|date=13 May 2016 \|accessdate=16 May 2016}}
2016–17	{{sortname\|Brendan\|Rodgers}}	Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2017–18	{{sortname\|Steve\|Clarke}}	Kilmarnock		{{cite web \|url=http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=7222&ShowCat= \|date=13 May 2018 \|accessdate=13 May 2018 \|publisher=Kilmarnock FC \|title=Steve Clarke wins SWFA Manager of the Year award \|archive-date=1 January 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101145046/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=7222&ShowCat= \|url-status=dead }}
2018–19	{{sortname\|Steve\|Clarke}}	Kilmarnock	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite tweet \|number=1126404099203895296 \|title=SFWA Awards shortlist - Manager of the Year sponsored by William Hill - Dick Campbell, Steve Clarke, Gary Holt, Shelley Kerr. #SFWA #Footballwriters \|date=9 May 2019 \|accessdate=9 May 2019 \|user=scottishfwa}}
2019–20 \|{{sortname\|Neil\|Lennon}} \|Celtic \| \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52876943 \|title=Shankland, Edouard, McGregor & Morelos in writers' award frame \|website=BBC Sport \|publisher=BBC \|date=1 June 2020 \|accessdate=1 June 2020}}{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2020/6/6/neil-lennon-is-manager-of-the-year \|title=Neil Lennon is manager of the year \|publisher=SFWA \| accessdate=6 June 2020 \| date=6 June 2020}}
2020–21 \|{{sortname\|Steven\|Gerrard}} \|Rangers	Also won the PFA Scotland award \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57077097 \|title=Steven Gerrard: Rangers boss wins Scottish writers' manager award \|website=BBC Sport \|publisher=BBC \|date=12 May 2021 \|accessdate=12 May 2021}}
2021–22 \|{{sortname\|Ange\|Postecoglou}} \|Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/ange-postecoglou-celtic-needed-a-major-rebuild-but-ive-only-scratched-the-surface-bv3nb80f0 \|title=Ange Postecoglou: Celtic needed a major rebuild but I've only scratched the surface \|first=Douglas \|last=Alexander \|quote=Yet a year later and Postecoglou is a double manager of the year, having added the Scottish Football Writers’ Association award to the PFA Scotland accolade he received last weekend. \|newspaper=The Sunday Times \|date=8 May 2022 \|access-date=8 May 2022}}
2022–23 \|{{sortname\|Ange\|Postecoglou}} \|Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2023/5/27/ange-postecoglou-wins-manager-of-the-year \|title=Ange Postecoglou wins Manager of the Year \|publisher=SFWA \|website=scottishfwa.com \|date=27 May 2023 \|accessdate=27 May 2023}}
2023–24	{{sortname\|Derek\|McInnes}}	Kilmarnock		{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2024/5/17/william-hill-sfwa-manager-of-the-year-award \|title=William Hill SFWA Manager of the Year award \|publisher=SFWA \|website=scottishfwa.com \|date=19 May 2024 \|accessdate=19 May 2024}}

Winners by club

Club !Number of wins !Winning seasons
class="wikitable"
width=200\|Celtic	align=center\|13	1987–88, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23
Rangers	align=center\|12	width=500\|1988–89, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2002–03, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2020–21
Kilmarnock	align=center\|4	2010–11, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2023–24
Aberdeen	align=center\|1	2013–14
Dundee United	align=center\|1	1986–87
Heart of Midlothian	align=center\|1	2008–09
Hibernian	align=center\|1	2004–05
Inverness Caledonian Thistle	align=center\|1	2014–15
Raith Rovers	align=center\|1	1994–95
Ross County	align=center\|1	2015–16
Scotland national team	align=center\|1	1989–90
St Johnstone	align=center\|1	1990–91

References

Category:Scottish football trophies and awards

Scotland

Category:Awards established in 1986

Category:1986 establishments in Scotland

Season	Manager	Club	class="unsortable"\|Notes	class="unsortable"\|Ref{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/manager-of-the-year \|title=MANAGER OF THE YEAR \| publisher=SFWA \| access-date=12 May 2023}}
class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
1986–87	{{sortname\|Jim\|McLean}}	Dundee United		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1987–88	{{sortname\|Billy\|McNeill}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1988–89	{{sortname\|Graeme\|Souness}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1989–90	{{sortname\|Andy\|Roxburgh}}	Scotland		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1990–91	{{sortname\|Alex\|Totten}}	St Johnstone		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1991–92	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1992–93	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1993–94	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1994–95	{{sortname\|Jimmy\|Nicholl}}	Raith Rovers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1995–96	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1996–97	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1997–98	{{sortname\|Wim\|Jansen}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1998–99	{{sortname\|Dick\|Advocaat}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
1999–00	{{sortname\|Dick\|Advocaat}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2000–01	{{sortname\|Martin\|O'Neill}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2001–02	{{sortname\|John\|Lambie\|John Lambie (footballer, born 1941)}}	Partick Thistle		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2002–03	{{sortname\|Alex\|McLeish}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2003–04	{{sortname\|Martin\|O'Neill}}	Celtic		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2004–05	{{sortname\|Tony\|Mowbray}}	Hibernian		{{cite web \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4505709.stm \|title=Hartson wins writers' top prize \|publisher=BBC Sport \|date=2 May 2005 \|accessdate=23 September 2012}}
2005–06	{{sortname\|Gordon\|Strachan}}	Celtic		{{ Cite web\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4906162.stm \| title=Strachan is writers' boss of year \| publisher=BBC Sport \| date=13 April 2006 }}
2006–07	{{sortname\|Gordon\|Strachan}}	Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite web \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6615155.stm \|title=Nakamura gets top writers' prize \|publisher=BBC Sport \|date=2 May 2007 \|accessdate=12 May 2013}}
2007–08	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers		{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2008–09	{{sortname\|Csaba\|László\|dab=footballer, born 1964}}	Heart of Midlothian		{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/hearts/5320577/Csaba-Laszlo-gets-second-Scotland-manager-of-the-year-award.html \|title=Csaba Laszlo gets second Scotland manager of the year award \|work=Daily Telegraph \|publisher=Telegraph Media Group \|date=13 May 2009 \|accessdate=12 May 2013 \|first=Roddy \|last=Forsyth}}
2009–10	{{sortname\|Walter\|Smith}}	Rangers	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8657569.stm \|date=2 May 2010 \|accessdate=12 May 2013 \|publisher=BBC Sport \|title=Davis crowned player of the year}}
2010–11	{{sortname\|Mixu\|Paatelainen}}	Kilmarnock		{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13406778.stm \|date=15 May 2011 \|accessdate=16 May 2011 \|publisher=BBC Sport \|title=More awards for Izaguirre, Goodwillie and Paatelainen}}
2011–12	{{sortname\|Neil\|Lennon}}	Celtic		{{cite news \|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/title-just-the-start-for-lennon.17505050 \|date=6 May 2012 \|accessdate=23 September 2012 \|publisher=Herald & Times Group \|work=Sunday Herald \|first=Stewart \|last=Fisher \|title=Title just the start for Lennon}}
2012–13	{{sortname\|Neil\|Lennon}}	Celtic		{{cite news \|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/lennon-says-winning-manager-of-year-a-privilege-1-2926564 \|date=12 May 2013 \|accessdate=12 May 2013 \|publisher=Johnston Publishing \|work=Scotland on Sunday \|first=Andrew \|last=Smith \|title=Lennon says winning manager of year 'a privilege' }}
2013–14	{{sortname\|Derek\|McInnes}}	Aberdeen	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aberdeen/10807943/Derek-McInnes-hits-the-heights-with-Aberdeen-after-suffering-pain-of-failure-at-Bristol-City.html \|title=Derek McInnes hits the heights with Aberdeen after suffering pain of failure at Bristol City \|first=Roddy \|last=Forsyth \|work=Daily Telegraph \|publisher=Telegraph Media Group \|date=4 May 2014 \|accessdate=5 May 2014}}
2014–15	{{sortname\|John\|Hughes\|dab=footballer, born 1964}}	width="200px"\| Inverness Caledonian Thistle	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite news \|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/john-hughes-still-inspired-by-tragic-craig-gowans-1-3781717 \|first=Moira \|last=Gordon \|title=John Hughes still inspired by tragic Craig Gowans \|work=Scotland on Sunday \|date=23 May 2015 \|accessdate=24 May 2015}}
2015–16	{{sortname\|Jim\|McIntyre\|dab=footballer}}	Ross County		{{cite news \|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/14490084.Paatelainen__39_s_fate_not_lost_on_McIntyre_as_Ross_County_manager_counts_his_blessings/ \|title=Paatelainen's fate not lost on McIntyre as Ross County manager counts his blessings \|first=Euan \|last=McArthur \|work=The Herald \|publisher=Herald & Times Group \|date=13 May 2016 \|accessdate=16 May 2016}}
2016–17	{{sortname\|Brendan\|Rodgers}}	Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cn\|date=April 2023}}
2017–18	{{sortname\|Steve\|Clarke}}	Kilmarnock		{{cite web \|url=http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=7222&ShowCat= \|date=13 May 2018 \|accessdate=13 May 2018 \|publisher=Kilmarnock FC \|title=Steve Clarke wins SWFA Manager of the Year award \|archive-date=1 January 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101145046/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=7222&ShowCat= \|url-status=dead }}
2018–19	{{sortname\|Steve\|Clarke}}	Kilmarnock	Also won the PFA Scotland award	{{cite tweet \|number=1126404099203895296 \|title=SFWA Awards shortlist - Manager of the Year sponsored by William Hill - Dick Campbell, Steve Clarke, Gary Holt, Shelley Kerr. #SFWA #Footballwriters \|date=9 May 2019 \|accessdate=9 May 2019 \|user=scottishfwa}}
2019–20 \|{{sortname\|Neil\|Lennon}} \|Celtic \| \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52876943 \|title=Shankland, Edouard, McGregor & Morelos in writers' award frame \|website=BBC Sport \|publisher=BBC \|date=1 June 2020 \|accessdate=1 June 2020}}{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2020/6/6/neil-lennon-is-manager-of-the-year \|title=Neil Lennon is manager of the year \|publisher=SFWA \| accessdate=6 June 2020 \| date=6 June 2020}}
2020–21 \|{{sortname\|Steven\|Gerrard}} \|Rangers	Also won the PFA Scotland award \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57077097 \|title=Steven Gerrard: Rangers boss wins Scottish writers' manager award \|website=BBC Sport \|publisher=BBC \|date=12 May 2021 \|accessdate=12 May 2021}}
2021–22 \|{{sortname\|Ange\|Postecoglou}} \|Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/ange-postecoglou-celtic-needed-a-major-rebuild-but-ive-only-scratched-the-surface-bv3nb80f0 \|title=Ange Postecoglou: Celtic needed a major rebuild but I've only scratched the surface \|first=Douglas \|last=Alexander \|quote=Yet a year later and Postecoglou is a double manager of the year, having added the Scottish Football Writers’ Association award to the PFA Scotland accolade he received last weekend. \|newspaper=The Sunday Times \|date=8 May 2022 \|access-date=8 May 2022}}
2022–23 \|{{sortname\|Ange\|Postecoglou}} \|Celtic	Also won the PFA Scotland award \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2023/5/27/ange-postecoglou-wins-manager-of-the-year \|title=Ange Postecoglou wins Manager of the Year \|publisher=SFWA \|website=scottishfwa.com \|date=27 May 2023 \|accessdate=27 May 2023}}
2023–24	{{sortname\|Derek\|McInnes}}	Kilmarnock		{{cite web \|url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2024/5/17/william-hill-sfwa-manager-of-the-year-award \|title=William Hill SFWA Manager of the Year award \|publisher=SFWA \|website=scottishfwa.com \|date=19 May 2024 \|accessdate=19 May 2024}}

SFWA Manager of the Year

List of winners

Winners by club

See also

References