“It’s exciting times.”
Former Ireland international Shay Given has had his say on who should in the Manager of the Year award following this year’s Premier League season.
The ex Newcastle star was on Bt Sports alongside Peter Crouch and the two debated between potential winners, but both can to the same conclusion.
Crouch cited both Unai Emery and Eddie Howe, but believes that one man was just more impressive this year.
“I know there has been a massive turnaround in Aston Villa and Newcastle’s fortunes, but he (Arteta) was getting the sack last year. People were calling for the sack – lots of people,” Crouch said on BT Sport.
“The fact he’s turned that around to challenge a powerhouse like Manchester City, it’s been an incredible season for them.”
“I think for Arteta to challenge and be top of the league for so long, considering how Liverpool and Manchester City were last season… if you said at the start of the season that they would be in the mix with however many games to go now, you would have given (the award) to him then,” Crouch said.
“I think Eddie Howe, De Zerbi and Emery have done terrific jobs, but what he’s done at Arsenal has been fantastic.”
The Irish shot stopper was on the same page as his BT colleague, and thinks that the whole club deserves credit for Arsenal’s success this year.
“I think you’ve got to give credit to the hierarchy at Arsenal as well,” Given said.
“A year ago (Arteta) was under pressure – ‘Is he the right manager, he’s young, inexperienced, is he the person to lead us forward?’ – and you look at the number of managers who have been sacked in the Premier League this season, it’s the highest it’s ever been.
“But a year or so ago they stuck with him, said ‘he’s our man’. They’ve recruited really well bringing in (Oleksandr) Zinchenko and (Gabriel) Jesus from Man City.
“They were two big players as they’ve been there before and won the league. I’m sure week in week out, especially Zinchenko, they are very vocal in the changing room. They’ve got the right blend there I think.”
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Given was of course eager to throw same praise towards Howe as well for his transformation at Newcastle.
“It’s exciting times. As a Newcastle player for 12 years, when they mention the last time they played in the Champions League, I actually played in those games. It’s too long a time,” Given said.
“(Howe) has to be up there as one of the managers of the year, because this year they probably would’ve thought mid-table. Last year he took over a team in a relegation dogfight and now they are challenging for Champions League football.”
Related links:
- Shay Given on new Ireland jersey and the worst kit he’s ever had to wear
- Shay Given opens up on Thierry Henry’s infamous handball against Ireland
- Shay Given names his starting Ireland goalkeeper for France match
