EPL: Klopp leads list of nominees for manager of year

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – The English Premier League (EPL) on Friday confirmed four candidates for the 2019/20 Barclays Manager of the Season award.

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Frank Lampard of Chelsea, Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers, and Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder are in contention for the prize.

“The votes from the public will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winner,” read a statement on the EPL website.

German manager Klopp, who led the Reds to their first league title in three decades, will be the presumed favorite.

In his first season with Chelsea, 42-year-old Lampard guided the London club to a fourth-place finish with 66 points.

Rodgers was appointed Leicester City manager in 2019 and the Foxes finished the season with 62 points and qualified for the UEFA Europa League.

Wilder, who has managed Sheffield United since 2016, led them to the Premier League last year and the team finished the season in ninth spot with 54 points.

The fans have until Aug. 10 to cast their vote for the award, which was won by Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola in the last two seasons.