Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
A number of outstanding managers are currently working in the EFL, especially in the Championship.
There’s no doubt that some of the current 2024/25 second tier managers will go on to have excellent long careers in the game, given the number of up and coming young coaches currently.
The likes of Frank Lampard, Tom Cleverley, and Michael Carrick had long and distinguished careers as Premier League players recently, with each still in their infancy in terms of managerial careers.
Now, with the season winding down at the business end, there are awards to be handed out. The EFL has detailed the nominees for Championship Manager of the Year, with Daniel Farke, Scott Parker, Chris Wilder, and Regis Le Bris all in contention.
In some respects, it could be perceived as lazy to suggest the best four candidates are all managing the top four teams, whereas others have gone above and beyond expectations at clubs lower down the table.
Football fans fume at John Eustace omission by the EFL
One particular manager that has managed two clubs this season, is John Eustace. The job he did with Blackburn Rovers had them vying for a top six place, but they have since collapsed after he left. While Derby County have escaped the bottom three under his tutelage.
‘Insane statistics’ have underpinned his start at Derby since his appointment and Derby fans are loving it, with the changes Eustace has paid paying off big time thus far. The club are close to safety and it makes his snub even more confusing.
There are other suggested like Liam Manning of Bristol City, as well as Gary Rowett at Oxford United, and Lampard with Coventry City, who all also deserve a mention. But Eustace’s omission has perhaps caused the biggest stir.
Leeds fans, in particular, have been dumbfounded at him being overlooked. One said: “Eustace taking Blackburn from just above relegation, losing the player the kept them up, then into playoffs is crazy, their drop off since he left as well.
“Now he’s going to keep Derby up. His football was horrid against us, but it’s so effective.”
Another fan said: “Manning. Also think that eustace, who had Blackburn in the play offs and has taken derby out of relegation.”
Another added: “Liam Manning should be on there definitely. Eustace 100% if he keeps Derby up. Bear in mind he had Blackburn in top 6 when they were widely tipped to struggle. Lampard has done a good job at Coventry too…”
EFL content creator Callum Fowler added: “The actual shortlist should be Eustace (Winner) Manning Wilder Parker.”
Another said: “Eustace by an absolute mile yes, got an overachieving Blackburn in playoffs, and gonna keep Derby up who looked completely out of it a couple months ago”
Blackburn Rovers’ demise following John Eustace’s Derby County switch
Not only has Eustace got Derby performing like a mid-table side since his appointment, sitting 11th since his arrival, but Blackburn falling apart under the Venky’s has also been evident.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 7 |  West BromWest Brom | 42 | 14 | 18 | 10 | 51 | 39 | 12 | 60 |
| 8 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 61 | 51 | 10 | 60 |
| 9 |  MillwallMillwall | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 60 |
| 10 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 56 |
| 11 |  WatfordWatford | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 50 | 55 | -5 | 56 |
| 12 |  SwanseaSwansea | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 45 | 51 | -6 | 54 |
| 13 |  NorwichNorwich | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 63 | 58 | 5 | 53 |
Blackburn were fifth when he departed, and they have since slid down the table and out of play-off contention. They are nailed on to be one of the teams playing Championship football in 2025/26.
Blackburn are joint-bottom since Eustace switched to Derby. He did a magnificent job across two clubs and fully deserves his nomination, which was not forthcoming.