PFA Scotland, in collaboration with The Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, is delighted to announce their nominees for 2025.
SPFL Manager of the Year
Brendan Rodgers – Celtic
David Gray – Hibernian
John McGlynn – Falkirk
SWPL Manager of the Year
Grant Scott – Hibernian
Jo Potter – Rangers
Leanne Ross – Glasgow City
Paul Brownlie – Motherwell
In the SPFL, two previous winners are nominated once more, alongside a man in his first year of full-time management. 2017 winner Brendan Rodgers is nominated after guiding Celtic towards another domestic treble, while last year’s winner John McGlynn is eyeing an unprecedented third win after taking Falkirk to the brink of a Premiership return. Meanwhile Hibernian boss David Gray has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in his debut season.
The tightness of the SWPL title race is reflected with four nominees, including Hibernian Head Coach Grant Scott, who’s guided his team to the top of the table, and last year’s winner Jo Potter of Rangers, who is eyeing a domestic treble. Leanne Ross receives recognition for the first time after overseeing Glasgow City’s run to the Scottish Cup Final and title charge, while Paul Brownlie is rewarded for his efforts in taking Motherwell into the top six of the SWPL.
Billy Brown, the Chairman of the Managers and Coaches Association, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the nominees – they’re all extremely worthy candidates and I’m delighted to see them achieve such success this year.
“All three SPFL managers deserve great credit for the jobs they’ve done, and it’s fantastic to see two former winners nominated again in Brendan and John alongside someone beginning to make his way in management in David.
“The consistency that Brendan has produced at Celtic is impressive, and their European form was particularly excellent earlier in the season. Having known John for so many years, firstly as a coach at Musselburgh Windsor before Jim Jefferies and I took him to Heart, it’s fantastic that he just keeps producing the goods at Falkirk. I’m particularly pleased for David Gray, after he had such a difficult start to the season with Hibs. He has shown great patience and resilience to improve the team’s form and results and deserves a lot of credit.
“Last year we were pleased to see SWPL 1 managers and coaches nominated for the first time, underlining the continuing growth and success of women’s football in Scotland. The fact that there’s four nominated this year shows how competitive it’s become at the top.
“Grant Scott continues to prove how good a coach he is, his knowledge of Scottish women’s football is second to none, and it would be fitting if he could cap a great year’s work with Hibs lifting the title. Jo thoroughly deserved to win the award a year ago; this season she’s just built on that work, and for Rangers to be in with a chance of a treble is very impressive.
“I’m delighted for Leanne to be nominated – she seems to have transitioned smoothly into coaching and management after a terrific playing career, and Glasgow City have had an excellent season, so she certainly deserves to be in the mix. It’s the same for Paul Brownlie, who has achieved a great deal at Motherwell on more limited resources, and to get them into the top six is a testament to his good work. I wish all the nominees the best of luck, and they are all deserving of praise and recognition”.
The Manager of the Year Awards will be presented at the 2024 PFA Scotland Awards dinner, held on Sunday 4 May at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.
