5) Michael Carrick
Having taken Middlesbrough out of relegation danger and into the Play-Offs last season, Carrick is encountering difficulties this term, but that is sort of the point.
With less than 18 months of managerial experience to his name, the 42-year-old is still learning the ropes, finding his way in the uncompromising environs of the Championship.
In his short time in the North-East he has taken his blows, not complained, brought through a raft of promising kids from the academy and forged a togetherness within the squad, one that currently lies just three points off the top six.
Extremely well-regarded at Manchester United, where he was forever on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year awards as a player, before being fast-tracked as their interim boss, he is also valued and admired by Steve Gibson, Boro’s chairman.
His managerial future looks bright.
4) Will Still
So remarkable is Still’s story that it found its way onto social media, told so often it became a parody of itself.
Recruited by Reims aged just 30 and minus a UEFA license, the Belgian-born coach with English parents, embarked on a successful run that meant his club really didn’t mind shelling out a £22,000 fine for every match he coached.
A Messi-inspired PSG were negated. Monaco were bested away. Between October and March this newbie gaffer led a previously struggling side on an astonishing unbeaten streak.
Presently, Reims are fifth and eying a European spot. Still is still making headlines.
3) Ian Evatt
After giving nearly 20 years of service to Derby County, QPR and Blackpool as a no-nonsense centre-back, Evatt took his coaching badges, studied Pep Guardiola to a healthily obsessive degree, then secured his first management gig at Barrow.
There, in the backwaters of Cumbria, he transformed the National League side, turning them into title-winners who swiftly gained the nickname ‘Barrowcelona’ for their possession-based brilliance.
A move to Bolton Wanderers followed and the success - coupled with tactically-savvy, easy-on-the-eye fare - continued, the Trotters reaching the Play-Offs last season and presently residing in second spot in League One.
Evatt is destined for the top.
2) Liam Manning
There will be one or two big clubs this season, distantly priced in the Premier League odds, who will be closely monitoring how Manning fares at Bristol City, the highly-rated 38-year-old heading to the west country last month after performing minor miracles at MK Dons.
At the Dons, Manning shrewdly retained their possession-based heritage while introducing a high pressing element.
Crucially too, he tightened things up at the back, making them one of the most impressive sides outside of the top-flight.
A string of manager of the month merits followed, along with a steady rise into the Play-Offs but Manning was unceremoniously sacked last December, when results started to dip.
Such was his reputation however that he is now in the Championship, intent on bringing the good times back to Ashton Gate after a long, long hiatus.
1) Kieran McKenna
When serious injury prevented McKenna from making the grade as a player he shifted his focus to coaching where in due course he became Tottenham’s Under 18s coach. So well-regarded was he that Liverpool attempted to lure him north to head their academy.
A year later Manchester United succeeded in dislodging him from North London and soon after he was promoted to assistant coach to Jose Mourinho, keeping his role when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over.
In December 2021, Ipswich took the plunge on a rising star with no previous managerial experience, a decision they must pat themselves on the back for every day.
Because in his first full season, he guided the Tractor Boys to promotion and now they’re ripping things up in the Championship.
McKenna doesn’t need to be recruited to make it to the big time. He’s making his own way there and quickly.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
