It is presented to a manager from any division for his achievements in the prior season.
On only five occasions has the Premier League winning manager won the award compared with the Premier League Manager of the Year award which has been won on all but four occasions by the manager of the team who were league champions.
Trophies for the event are hand-crafted by silversmith Thomas Lyte, which also makes trophies for the LG Performance of the Week Award throughout the league season.
To date seven have come from outside the Premier League: 1996 winner Peter Reid, who led Sunderland to the Division One title; 1997 winner Danny Wilson, who guided Barnsley into the Premier League; 2000 winner Alan Curbishley who led Charlton to the Division One title; 2006 winner Steve Coppell, who led Reading to win the Championship; 2015 winner Eddie Howe, who guided AFC Bournemouth into the Premier League; 2019 winner Chris Wilder, who took Sheffield United up from the Championship;[2] and 2024 winner Kieran McKenna who guided Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.
Awarded to an individual chosen by the LMA board who has accomplished something significant in the field of football, or represents the passion and service to football that it was said John Duncan personified.