Frank Lampard, Alex Neil, Sergei Yakilovic and Kim Helberg have been shortlisted for the EFL Championship Season Manager Award at the 2026 EFL Awards.
All winners will be announced live at the league’s annual ceremony on Sunday 19th April, which will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football from 8.30pm.
Coventry City’s Lampard is in the running for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season award after leading his team to the top of the table. Lampard is joined by Neil (Millwall), Jakilović (Hull City) and Helberg (Middlesbrough), with their respective teams firmly in contention for promotion as the final game of the season approaches.
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Ellis Sims spoke to Sky Sports about playing under the game’s legend Frank Lampard at Coventry City.
Meanwhile, the EFL Championship Player of the Season award is being contested by three players who played key roles in the club’s promotion drive and the division’s top scorer.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has led by example at his boyhood club, delivering consistent all-round performances in the heart of midfield. Elsewhere, Coventry City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was exceptional among the league leaders, while Millwall wide player Femi Azeez had an excellent season for the Lions, scoring eight goals and assisting seven. Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik, who is currently the division’s top scorer with 20 goals, is on the list.
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Watch Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik score the second-fastest goal in Championship history with a classy 11-second opener.
In League One, four managers will compete for the Manager of the Season award, including Michael Skbara, who has already led Lincoln City to promotion, as well as Graham Alexander (Bradford City), Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City) and Alex Revell (Stevenage).
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Sky Bet League 1 Highlights of Reading vs Lincoln
Meanwhile, the nominees for the Player of the Season award include Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City) and Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City).
In League Two, Andy Woodman (Bromley), Paul Warne (MK Dons), Mickey Mellon (Oldham Athletic) and Neil Harris (Cambridge United) are shortlisted for Manager of the Season, while the Player of the Season award will be contested by Bromley pair Mitch Pinnock and Omar Sowamni, as well as Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town) and Callum Patterson (Milton Keynes). Dons).
The EFL Young Player of the Season Awards will once again be presented on a sectional basis to recognize the best young players across the league, while the EFL Team of the Season and Goal of the Season will be announced on the night.
The league’s two most prestigious awards, the League Football Award and the Sir Tom Finney Award, will be presented on the night. The Contribution to League Football Award is presented annually by the EFL Board to an individual who has made a lifetime contribution to the professional game on and off the pitch. Legendary football manager Neil Warnock won the award last year, but previous recipients include Chris Kamara of the Order of the British Empire and John Motson of the Order of the British Empire.
EFL
Sunday, April 19th 8:30pm
Past recipients of the Sir Tom Finney Award, which recognizes recipients who have had outstanding careers and made an exceptional contribution to the EFL, include Adebayo Akinfenwa and Jobi Makanuf.
Seven off-the-pitch awards will also be presented on the night, recognizing the outstanding effort and dedication shown by clubs, players, staff and supporters off the field. These include the Community Club of the Season Award, which will be contested by Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers.
There will also be a Community Player of the Season award, which recognizes a player who has gone above and beyond and made an exceptional contribution to their local community. Last year’s winner, Bristol Rovers’ Taylor Moore, is once again on the shortlist, along with Oxford United’s Will Vokes and Rotherham United’s Hamish Douglas.
2026 EFL Award Nominee List
EFL Championship of the Season Manager, Sponsored by Football Manager
Frank Lampard – Coventry City
Alex Neil – Millwall
Sergei Yakilovich – Hull City
Kim Helberg – Middlesbrough
EFL League 1 Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Graham Alexander – Bradford City
Michael Skvara – Lincoln City
Brian Barry Murphy – Cardiff City
Alex Revell – Stevenage
EFL League 2 Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Andy Woodman – Bromley
Paul Warne – Milton Keynes Dons
Mickey Mellon – Oldham Athletic
Neil Harris – Cambridge United
EFL Championship Player of the Season (Sponsored by Sky Bet)
Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough
Karl Rushworth – Coventry City
Femi Azeez – Millwall
Zan Vipotnik – Swansea City
EFL League 1 Player of the Season (Sponsored by Sky Bet)
Dom Ballard – Leyton Orient
Owen Bailey – Doncaster Rovers
Jack Moylan – Lincoln City
Sonny Bradley – Lincoln City
EFL League 2 Player of the Season Award (Sponsored by Sky Bet)
Aaron Drinan – Swindon Town
Mitch Pinnock – Bromley
Callum Patterson – Milton Keynes Dons
Omar Soumni – Bromley
EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Jordan James – Leicester City
Ashley Phillips – Stoke City
Sidi Peck – Sheffield United
Bobby Clarke – Derby County
1 EFL League Young Player of the Season (Sponsored by EA Sports)
Dom Ballard – Leyton Orient
Amario Cosier-Duberry – Bolton Wanderers
Dylan Lawlor – Cardiff City
Jenson Metcalfe – Bradford City
2 EFL League Young Players of the Season (Sponsored by EA Sports)
Matty Young – Salford City
Daniel Kanu – Walsall
Sam Gale – Gillingham
Tom Iopenda – Notts County
EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Lewis Page – Leicester City
Leo Pecover – Bristol City
Sheldon Kendall – Millwall
Sponsored by LFE, EFL League 1 Apprentice of the Season
Sallyman Clubarry – Burton Albion
Ryan Doherty – Stevenage
Tegan Finn – Plymouth Argyle
EFL League 2 Apprentice of the Season, sponsored by LFE
Ollie Dewsbury – Bristol Rovers
Mamadou Diallo – Cheltenham Town
Rhian Silver – MK Dons
EFL Community Club of the Season
blackburn rovers
plymouth argyle
bristol rovers
EFL Community of the Season Project
Blackburn Rovers – Dads FC
Plymouth Argyle – Argyle4Autism
Notts County – Baby Memorial Wall
EFL players in PFA sponsored communities
Will Vokes – Oxford United
Hamish Douglas – Rotherham United
Taylor Moore – Bristol Rovers
EFL Diversity Award
Bristol City – We are the City
Huddersfield Town – Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Pioneer
Southampton – Deaf Inclusion
EFL Environmental Award, sponsored by IMG
Birmingham City – Blues Go Green
Bradford City – Lush Bantam
Harrogate Town – Harry Gator Walks to School
EFL Fan Engagement Award, sponsored by Live Team
bristol rovers
Cardiff City – Bluebirds Uncaged
Huddersfield Town – Traveling with a Terrier
EFL Club Employee Award
Ray Walker – Grimsby Town
Wendy Thomas – Middlesbrough
Alan Long – Lincoln City
sir tom finney award
Scheduled to be announced tonight.
Contribution to League Football Awards
Scheduled to be announced tonight.
EFL Championship Season Team of the Season (Sponsored by Clarion)
Scheduled to be announced tonight.
EFL League 1 Team of the Season, Sponsored by Clarion
Scheduled to be announced tonight.
EFL League 2 Team of the Season, Sponsored by Clarion
Scheduled to be announced tonight.
EFL Season Goal of the Season, Sponsored by Hawk-Eye Innovations
Scheduled to be announced tonight.
