Brendan Rodgers Narrow Favourite For LMA Award

Stan James have recently opened up the LMA Manager Of The Year 2012 betting market, which continues to be both a popular and intriguing market for punters. The prestigious award is voted for by members of the League Managers' Association and presented to a manager from any of the four tiers in English football. There are a number of candidates in the running for this season’s award but the stand out names are Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers and Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, who have both enjoyed excellent campaigns in the Premier League.

Brendan Rodgers has emerged as the narrow favourite in the betting with odds of 5/4 with Stan James. Under the Ulsterman newly promoted Swansea have impressed with their exciting brand of high-tempo, passing football, which has seen them execute impressive wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as holding the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm has been one of the signings of the season, alongside Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Swans are currently battling for a top 10 finish in their very first season in the Premier League, which would be a fantastic achievement for both the club and Rodgers.

The 6/4 priced Alan Pardew has simply done an outstanding job at Newcastle this season. Before the campaign had even begun they were tipped to struggle but with just over four weeks remaining they are in the running for a top four finish and a Champions League qualification spot. The Toon have been in the top six for the majority of the season, which is in part due to the strong team spirit Pardew has created. The 50-year-old has also made has made some incredible signings, including strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, as well as brining the best out of Hatem Ben Arfa who recently scored one of the goals of the season against Bolton. Pardew has won numerous plaudits and as a result has even started to be linked with the England Manager vacancy.

The other main contenders for the award include Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Lambert and Roberto Mancini. Fergie, who has won the award three times, is currently available at 5/1 to claim it for the second consecutive season. The 70-year-old is on the verge of guiding Man Utd to an unprecedented 13th Premier League crown and 20th league title, which is an achievement in itself. United may not have set the league alike this season but they have admiringly seen off the challenge of rivals Man City. It was also a shrewd move by Fergie to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement.

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert (10/1) can definitely count himself as one of the key candidates. The motivational manager has led The Canaries to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League and in their first season back in the top flight they are in the running for a top 10 finish. So far this season they have earnt impressive wins against Newcastle and most recently Tottenham at White Hart Lane, as well as holding Chelsea and Liverpool to draws.

This could so easily have been Roberto Mancini’s season. His Man City side got off to an electric start and at Christmas they were the hot favourites for the title. However, recent disappointing results have seen them fall behind rivals United and in reality are likely to end the season without any silverware. However, Mancini must earn credit for the way he has moulded together a title challenging team and who can forget City’s sensational 6-1 win at Old Trafford back in October. Elsewhere Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp can also be backed at16/1, while Everton gaffer David Moyes is worth a bet at 20/1.

LMA Manager Of The Year Odds

• 5/4 - Brendan Rodgers
• 6/4 - Alan Pardew
• 5/1 - Alex Ferguson
• 10/1 - Any Other Manager
• 10/1 - Paul Lambert
• 16/1 - Roberto Mancini
• 16/1 - Harry Redknapp
• 20/1 - Martin O'Neill
• 20/1 - David Moyes

Odds courtesy of Stan James