Nuno, Slot, others: Who can win EPL manager of the season?

The Premier League’s 2024/25 manager of the season shortlist has been unveiled, showcasing five tacticians who have defied expectations, transformed their teams, and left an indelible mark on the campaign. Thomas Frank (Brentford), Eddie Howe (Newcastle United), Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest), Vitor Pereira (Wolves), and Arne Slot (Liverpool) have each delivered remarkable performances. This piece is set to explore their journeys, analyze their tactics, break down the statistics, and predict who might end victorious in the race for the award of manager of the season.

Thomas Frank – Brentford

Thomas Frank has continued to defy the odds with Brentford, a club often tipped for relegation since their 2021 Premier League promotion. In the 2024-25 season, Brentford have solidified their mid-table status, finishing in the top half with 54 points from 38 matches, a significant improvement from their 46 points the previous season. Frank’s Bees have shown resilience, securing notable wins against Manchester United (4-3) and Tottenham (2-0), while maintaining a strong home record at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Frank’s Brentford remain a tactical marvel, blending aggression with pragmatism. They employ a 4-3-3 formation that transitions into a 5-4-1 when defending, focusing on compact defending and rapid counterattacks. In the 2022/23 season, Brentford were known for conceding goals from turnovers, but Frank has addressed this weakness. In 2024/25, they reduced goals conceded from turnovers, thanks to improved pressing coordination (their tackle success rate improved to 45%, up from 32.9% in 2022/23). Offensively, Brentford scored 62 goals, with Brian Mbuemo and Wissa contributing the most, thriving in Frank’s system that emphasizes aerial prowess. Brentford’s expected goals against (xGA) dropped from 58.4 in 2023/24 to 49.2 in 2024/25, showcasing their defensive improvement under Frank.

Eddie Howe – Newcastle United

Eddie Howe as manager of Newcastle United has transformed the club into a force to be reckoned with, culminating in their first major domestic trophy in 70 years by winning the 2025 EFL Cup. Despite finishing 7th in the 2023/24 season with 85 goals, Howe’s 2024-25 campaign saw Newcastle secure 6th place with 65 points, alongside a Europa League spot. The Magpies also reached another EFL Cup final, defeating Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate in February 2025. Howe achieved this despite significant injury setbacks and no first-team signings in three transfer windows due to PSR rules.

Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 out of possession, emphasizing high pressing. His adaptability shone through during injury crises, switching to a 3-4-2-1 to maximize Alexander Isak’s attacking threat (18 goals, 10 assists). Defensively, Newcastle conceded 42 goals (down from 62 in 2023/24), with their backline, led by Valentino Livramento. Howe’s focus on quick transitions resulted in 15 goals from counterattacks. Newcastle’s 85 goals in 2023/24 were followed by 78 in 2024-25, maintaining their attacking ability despite limited squad depth.

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Nuno Espirito Santo – Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo has created one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Premier League history. Nottingham Forest, bound for relegation, soared to a projected 4th place with 59 points, a staggering 30-point improvement from their 2023/24 tally of 40 points. Forest are in the hunt for a Champions League qualification, a feat unimaginable at the season’s start. Nuno’s side beat every top-six team at least once, including a 0-1 victory over Manchester City at the City Ground, where the atmosphere was intense.

Nuno’s 4-2-3-1 formation balances defensive solidity with attacking flair. Forest’s defensive record improved dramatically, conceding 36 goals (down from 67 in 2023/24), thanks to centre-backs Murillo and Nikola Milenković (combined 12 clean sheets). Nuno’s counter-pressing system generated 180 high turnovers, while Chris Wood, scored 16 goals. Forest’s set-piece efficiency was unmatched, scoring 18 goals from corners and free-kicks. Forest’s goal difference improved from -27 in 2023/24 to +26 in 2024/25, reflecting their all-around dominance.

Vitor Pereira – Wolves

Vitor Pereira, appointed in December 2024 after Gary O’Neil’s sacking, turned Wolves’ season around. Starting with the team in 18th place (10 points from 18 games), Pereira led them to their current 12th-place position with 46 points, earning 36 points in his 20 matches in charge (1.8 points per game). Wolves’ late-season form was exceptional, losing only 2 of their final 15 matches, including a 1-0 win over Manchester United. Pereira’s impact was immediate, with Wolves scoring 40 goals under him (compared to 15 in the first half of the season).

Pereira implemented a 3-4-3 system, focusing on wing-back play. His high-pressing approach saw Wolves average 12 tackles per game in the opposition half, while their possession increased from 44% to 51%. Pereira’s defensive organization reduced goals conceded from 38 in the first 18 games to 20 in the last 20. Offensively, Matheus Cunha thrived, scoring goals under Pereira, often exploiting spaces in Pereira’s fluid attacking structure. Wolves’ points-per-game average under Pereira (1.8) would have placed them 6th if they had the form at the beginning of the season, highlighting his transformative impact.

Arne Slot – Liverpool

Arne Slot achieved the unthinkable in his debut season as manager of the Reds, leading Liverpool to the 2024/25 Premier League title with 88 points, ending a 34-year drought for a second title in that span. Slot’s Reds lost only 3 matches, scoring 90 goals (second only to Manchester City’s 92) and conceding 30 (best in the league). They secured the title with a 5-1 win over Tottenham.Slot’s 4-2-3-1 emphasizes possession (Liverpool averaged 58% possession) and high pressing (230 high turnovers, most in the league).

His attacking philosophy, rooted in his Eredivisie days, saw Liverpool dominate expected goals (xG) at 92.4, the highest in the league. Defensively, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate anchored a backline that allowed the fewest shots on target (98). Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo thrived in Slot’s system, which prioritizes quick, vertical passing (Liverpool led with 320 through-balls). Slot broke the record for the most points by a debut Premier League manager (88), surpassing Jose Mourinho’s 85 with Chelsea in 2004-05.

Prediction: Who will win?

Each manager has a compelling case, but the award often hinges on a combination of narrative, statistical impact, and historical precedent. For Thomas Frank, he deserves recognition for Brentford’s consistency, but his lack of silverware or a top-six finish may hinder his chances. Eddie Howe has the emotional narrative with Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, but if he doesn’t finish in the top-four, it might not give him the advantage over higher-placed managers. Nuno Espirito Santo has arguably the most dramatic story, transforming Forest into Champions League contenders, making him a strong contender. Vitor Pereira impressed in a short timeframe, but his mid-season appointment cannot be compared to a full-season performance. Arne Slot is a complete package with a title win, record-breaking stats, and a seamless transition at a big club; all in a debut season.

While Nuno’s turnaround is extraordinary, Arne Slot is the likely winner. His Premier League title in his debut season, combined with Liverpool’s dominant metrics (90 goals, 30 conceded, 88 points), aligns with historical trends, as managers who win the league often claim the award (e.g., Pep Guardiola in 2017/18). Slot’s ability to follow Klopp and deliver a trophy makes his achievement the standout of the 2024/25 season.

This season’s nominees reflect the Premier League’s diversity of managerial talent, from resilient survivors like Forest’s Nuno to title-winning manager like Liverpool’s Slot. Whoever wins, the 2024/25 campaign has been a masterclass in coaching excellence.