The Premier League have named the four managers in the running for December’s Manager of the Month prize.
After Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou won the award for the first three months of the season, Erik ten Hag of Manchester United took it home in November but neither manager has been nominated this time around, setting the stage for a new winner.
Here’s a closer look at the four nominees.
December saw casual fans become aware of Aston Villa’s genuine push for the Premier League title.
Unai Emery’s side saw off both Manchester City and Arsenal with back-to-back wins earlier in the month and were in the race to spend Christmas on top of the table before a slip-up against Sheffield United ended that dream.
Villa sit second in the standings after their electric December and supporters are now wondering just how long this outrageous form can continue.
The only nominee who was also up for November’s price, Andoni Iraola and Bournemouth ended 2023 on a real tear.
They scored at least twice in five of their six games, including a famous 3-0 win away at Manchester United, and have firmly bounced back from a catastrophic start to the season which had the Cherries tipped for relegation.
Key to Bournemouth’s turnaround has been Iraola’s ability to maximise striker Dominic Solanke, who bagged six goals in December and has been nominated for the Player of the Month award.
Premier League leaders Liverpool went unbeaten across December to claim their spot atop the mountain.
After a nervy 4-3 win over Fulham to start the month, Jurgen Klopp oversaw comfortable victories against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Burnley, before drawing with rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.
The game against United saw Liverpool break the record for most shots on goal without scoring in a Premier League game (34).
West Ham United’s quiet ascent up the Premier League table continued in December with four wins from six games.
David Moyes helped inspire the Hammers to victory over Tottenham early in the month but, after a shocking 5-0 defeat to Fulham, miraculously turned things around with three straight wins against Wolves, Manchester United and Arsenal – keeping clean sheets against all three.
Having started December in ninth, West Ham are up to sixth and are firmly in the hunt for further European football.
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