Award quandary over Houllier
Last updated : 29 March 2002 By Christopher Davies, Telegraph
Gerard Houllier could pick up a manager of the year award even though Phil Thompson has led Liverpool's charge towards a Premiership and Champions League double. Houllier was upset last season when George Burley, whose Ipswich had finished fifth in the Premiership, won the Carling Manager of the Year trophy, chosen by a panel representing various football bodies, and the League Managers' Association award.
The Frenchman had guided Liverpool to a Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup treble and felt such an achievement should be recognised. However, the votes were cast before the last two competitions had been won.
The LMA have confirmed only the official manager of the club can be nominated but such has been Thompson's impact as caretaker manager there could be a joint award with Houllier and his assistant collecting the award if chosen. The guideline is which manager has made best use of the resources available to him.
A comparable achievement to Burley's this season could be Alan Curbishley, whose Charlton are eighth in the Premiership and play Liverpool today.
But the way in which Thompson has helped Liverpool maintain their title push and participation in the Champions League makes the former England defender a leading candidate for an award even though he is not officially a manager.
Houllier has recently returned to the dugout following heart surgery last October and had supervised tactics over the telephone with Thompson during the past couple of months.
Under Thompson, Liverpool have won 18 of their 35 matches since Houllier was taken ill during the Leeds game on Oct 13, drawing 12 and losing five, and have won 52 points in the Premiership.
No Premiership manager has won more points during that period and, if the members of the LMA feel Thompson's feat deserves their award, then manager and caretaker manager would receive the accolade jointly.
Managers in the Nationwide League each have two votes - one for the manager of the year in their division and one for the overall manager of the year. Premiership managers have just one vote for the main award.
