Frank Lampard, Alex Neil, Sergej Jakirovic and Kim Hellberg have been shortlisted for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season Award at the 2026 EFL Awards.
All of the winners will be announced live at the League’s annual ceremony on Sunday 19 April, which is also being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football from 8.30pm.
Coventry City’s Lampard is up for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season award, having taken his side to the summit of the table. Lampard is joined by Neil (Millwall), Jakirovic (Hull City) and Hellberg (Middlesbrough) whose respective sides are all firmly in contention for promotion as we approach the season’s finale.
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Ellis Simms tells Sky Sports about playing under a legend of the game in Frank Lampard at Coventry City.
Meanwhile, the EFL Championship Player of the Season award is being contested by three players who have played pivotal roles in their Clubs’ promotion pushes, as well as the division’s top scorer.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has led by example for his boyhood Club, consistently delivering all-round performances from the heart of midfield. Elsewhere, Coventry City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has been exceptional between the sticks for the league leaders, whilst Millwall wide-player Femi Azeez has had an impressive season for the Lions, scoring eight and assisting seven. The shortlist is completed by Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik who is currently the top scorer in the division with 20 goals.
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Take a look as Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik scored the second-fastest goal in Championship history with a classy 11-second opener.
In League One, the Manager of the Season award will be contested by four managers, including Michael Skubala, who has already guided Lincoln City to promotion, alongside Graham Alexander (Bradford City), Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City) and Alex Revell (Stevenage).
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One match between Reading and Lincoln
Meanwhile, Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City) and Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City) are up for the Player of the Season award.
In League Two, Andy Woodman (Bromley), Paul Warne (MK Dons), Micky Mellon (Oldham Athletic) and Neil Harris (Cambridge United) have been shortlisted for Manager of the Season, whilst the Player of the Season accolade will be contested by Bromley pair Mitch Pinnock and Omar Sowumni, alongside Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town) and Callum Paterson (Milton Keynes Dons).
The EFL Young Player of the Season awards will once again be given out divisionally to recognise the best young talent across the League, whilst the EFL Teams of the Season and Goal of the Season will be revealed on the night.
The League’s two most prestigious awards, the Contribution to League Football and Sir Tom Finney awards, will be given out on the night. The Contribution to League Football award is presented annually by the EFL Board to an individual who has given a lifetime’s service to the professional game on and/or off the pitch. Legendary football manager Neil Warnock was presented with the award last year, whilst other previous winners include Chris Kamara MBE and John Motson OBE.
EFL
Sunday 19th April 8:30pm
Awarded to recipients who have had an outstanding career and contributed exceptionally to the EFL, previous winners of the Sir Tom Finney award include Adebayo Akinfenwa and Jobi McAnuff.
Seven additional off-the-pitch awards will also be presented on the night, recognising the outstanding hard work and commitment shown by Clubs, their players, staff and supporters away from field of play. Among these is the Community Club of Season award which will be contested by Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers.
Also being awarded is the Community Player of the Season, recognising a player who has gone above and beyond and made an exceptional contribution to the local community. Last year’s winner, Bristol Rovers’ Taylor Moore is on the shortlist again, alongside Oxford United’s Will Vaulks and Hamish Douglas of Rotherham United.
2026 EFL Awards Shortlists
EFL Championship Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Frank Lampard – Coventry City
Alex Neil – Millwall
Sergej Jakirovic – Hull City
Kim Hellberg – Middlesbrough
EFL League One Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Graham Alexander – Bradford City
Michael Skubala – Lincoln City
Brian Barry-Murphy – Cardiff City
Alex Revell – Stevenage
EFL League Two Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Andy Woodman – Bromley
Paul Warne – Milton Keynes Dons
Micky Mellon – Oldham Athletic
Neil Harris – Cambridge United
EFL Championship Player of the Season, Sponsored by Sky Bet
Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough
Carl Rushworth – Coventry City
Femi Azeez – Millwall
Zan Vipotnik – Swansea City
EFL League One 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 Two Player of the Season, Sponsored by Sky Bet
Aaron Drinan – Swindon Town
Mitch Pinnock – Bromley
Callum Paterson – Milton Keynes Dons
Omar Sowumni – Bromley
EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Jordan James – Leicester City
Ashley Phillips – Stoke City
Sydie Peck – Sheffield United
Bobby Clark – Derby County
EFL League One Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Dom Ballard – Leyton Orient
Amario Cozier-Duberry – Bolton Wanderers
Dylan Lawlor – Cardiff City
Jenson Metcalfe – Bradford City
EFL League Two Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Matty Young – Salford City
Daniel Kanu – Walsall
Sam Gale – Gillingham
Tom Iorpenda – Notts County
EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Louis Page – Leicester City
Leo Pecover – Bristol City
Sheldon Kendall – Millwall
EFL League One Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Sulyman Krubally – Burton Albion
Ryan Doherty – Stevenage
Tegan Finn – Plymouth Argyle
EFL League Two Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Ollie Dewsbury – Bristol Rovers
Mamadou Diallo – Cheltenham Town
Rian Silver – MK Dons
EFL Community Club of the Season
Blackburn Rovers
Plymouth Argyle
Bristol Rovers
EFL Community Project of the Season
Blackburn Rovers – Dads FC
Plymouth Argyle – Argyle4Autism
Notts County – Baby Remembrance Wall
EFL Player in the Community, Sponsored by The PFA
Will Vaulks – Oxford United
Hamish Douglas – Rotherham United
Taylor Moore – Bristol Rovers
EFL Diversity Award
Bristol City – We Are City
Huddersfield Town – Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Pioneers
Southampton – Deaf Inclusion
EFL Environmental Award, Sponsored by IMG
Birmingham City – Blues Go Green
Bradford City – Greener Bantams
Harrogate Town – HarryGator Walk to School
EFL Fan Engagement Award, Sponsored by Live·Team
Bristol Rovers
Cardiff City – Bluebirds Uncaged
Huddersfield Town – Terriers Together Travel
EFL Club Employee Award
Rae Walker – Grimsby Town
Wendy Thomas – Middlesbrough
Alan Long – Lincoln City
Sir Tom Finney Award
To be announced on the night.
Contribution to League Football Award
To be announced on the night.
EFL Championship Team of the Season, Sponsored by Clarion
To be announced on the night.
EFL League One Team of the Season, Sponsored by Clarion
To be announced on the night.
EFL League Two Team of the Season, Sponsored by Clarion
To be announced on the night.
EFL Goal of the Season, Sponsored by Hawk-Eye Innovations
To be announced on the night.
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