Phenomenal:

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was not short of supporters to win the prestigious Manager of the Year Award, but he was overlooked for the Barclays Award on the basis that it was about achievements in the league. The award went to Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Harry Redknapp.

Fulham’s season began in July, involved over sixty matches and several injuries. But they still achieved the distinction of reaching the inaugural Europa League final and did it the hard way. Hodgson did not have the resources thrown at Carlo Ancelotti or Sir Alex Ferguson. Fulham did not have the coffers of Manchester City and Hodgson was not given the cash to flash that even Arsène Wenger, Rafa Benítez and yes, Harry Redknapp, had at their disposal.

Fulham’s achievement is spectacular. Hodgson spent shrewdly, coped with injuries that ravaged his squad and made the most of the players and resources that he had at his disposal. Fulham had to cope with all this and an exceptionally long season that resulted in the unlikely Cottagers being the last English club standing in Europe. They play Spain’s Atlćtico de Madrid in the final on May 12th in Hamburg, having beaten the hosts in the semi-final. There are other managers who deserved a look in too – some unlikely at first glance.

The Grant Effect:

Avram Grant was never seriously considered for the award, yet Portsmouth’s manager deserves a mention. Four owners in a season and being put into administration proved too much to overcome. The nine points deduction for entering administration created a false table and prevented a club and fans that had done nothing wrong from being able to rescue the club. It all but sealed Portsmouth’s fate.

The historic club was relegated after seven years in the top flight. The uncertainty in the board room affected performances on the pitch and the punishment of the loss of nine points affected their ability to defy the odds. Their fighting spirit was still there in abundance. The FA Cup run proved that.

The points deduction helped to send them to the Championship. Finding new owners to cope with the financial mess that was added to by greedy owners seeking a quick buck at their expense, will be far harder now. Although fiscal responsibility is necessary in football, the sport’s governing body should take some blame too and the punishment should fit the crime.

Why were greedy owners passed fit and proper people to own the club? They lied about plans for the club and investment and made it harder and harder to find genuine owners. Banning them now is too little too late. Why did the rules allow them to buy the club without a plan and sell it so quickly? It should not be permitted to sell a club within two years of purchasing it.

The financial uncertainty transferred to the pitch as the players faced the financial problems of not knowing if they would be paid and handicap of points they had earned being taken from them. Some players left for greener pastures. Despite this Grant performed heroics – keeping spirits up and leading the team to the FA Cup final, although the European place that they have earned will almost certainly be denied them.

While a drop in the ocean any funds from European competition would help. Grant will face his old team in the FA Cup final on Saturday – a team that has financial security provided by Roman Abramovich’s wealth. Debutant is an odd word to use in relation to Grant’s opposite number for Saturday’s FA Cup final, but Carlo Ancelotti, whose credits include a very successful spell as AC Milan boss, is in his first season in English football.

Debutant:

The Chelsea boss has already become the first manager in the history of the Premier League to win the league title in his first season – Arsène Wenger joined Arsenal in November 1996 and won the title in 1998. The last manager to win the title in England’s top league in his first season was Kenny Dalglish with Liverpool in 1986. In fact he won the FA Cup that season as well. In 1998 – his first full season in management in England – Wenger won the double as well. Ancelotti is one match away from matching Dalglish’s achievement – the double in his first season as manager.

Despite the resources at his disposal, it should not be forgotten that other managers, including a treble winner and World Cup winner, failed to deliver the league title. Chelsea suffered a title drought since Josć Mourinho’s departure in September 2007 – Mourinho won it in 2005 and 2006. Manchester United won the title three years in succession, beginning in 2007

Ancelotti has broken Sir Alex Ferguson’s grip on the Premier League and achieved it in his first season with a squad that is likely to be broken up next season. He may achieve the double if he can defeat former Chelsea manager Avram Grant’s new charges on Saturday. Grant inherited the Chelsea team from Mourinho, having joined as Director of Football, despite Mourinho’s objections. Chelsea finished second in three competitions that season including the Premier League and Champion’s League. He stands between Ancelotti and history – the first double by a debutant in the era of the Premier League. That would be quite a season for the debutant, but not enough to win the Barclays Manger of the Year Award, or that of his peers.

From Two from Eight to Top Four:

Harry Redknapp too has performed wonders, inheriting a demoralised Spurs side that had won just two points from eight games under Juande Ramos in October 2008. He staved off relegation. The UEFA Cup was a distraction that season and Redknapp rotated his squad as he concentrated on survival. The primary objective was achieved and his old club was raided. Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch were just the best known of the former Pompey players to join Redknapp at White Hart Lane. Niko Kranjčar signed later.

Redknapp revamped Tottenham Hotspur’s side and their fortunes. He was recognised as Barclays Manager of the Year for breaking up the Big Four’s hitherto vice-like grip on the Champion’s League qualification. Liverpool headed to their worst finish under Rafa Benítez as owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks put the club up for sale. The Americans failed to deliver on their promises and Liverpool missed out on Champion’s League football – a failure that could have dire consequences as they try to attract new talent next season too.

Manchester City spent hugely – dismissing manager Mark Hughes during the season, but former Inter coach Roberto Mancini could not deliver the coveted Champion’s League spot either. Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa couldn’t make the breakthrough either. Redknapp’s Spurs team could even afford a 4-2 defeat by relegated Burnley on the final day of the league season. Spurs would play a qualifier for the right to play in the full Champion’s League next season.