Derek McInnes of Heart of Midlothian, John McGlynn who steers Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the man in charge of League One outfit Stenhousemuir, have all been placed on the shortlist for the Scottish Professional Football League’s Manager of the Year honour. The nominations were made in partnership with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, recognising the remarkable achievements each coach has delivered over the course of the 2025‑26 campaign.
McInnes, who took over the Hearts bench last summer, has guided the club to an unprecedented surge toward a league title – the first time the capital side have been genuine contenders since their historic triumph in 1966. Under his leadership the Jambos sit three points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership and have dominated the league for the majority of the season. Their record at Tynecastle Park is flawless; the team remains unbeaten at home since McInnes arrived, and they have suffered only four defeats in all competitions throughout the campaign. Such consistency has sparked excitement among supporters who now believe a long‑awaited championship could finally be within reach.
John McGlynn, meanwhile, is chasing a remarkable third straight Manager of the Year award after having secured the accolade in both 2024 and 2025. His tenure at Falkirk has been nothing short of transformational. After orchestrating back‑to‑back promotions that saw the Bairns climb from the lower tiers back into the Premiership, McGlynn steered them to a respectable top‑six finish in their first season after returning to the top flight.
The club’s ability to compete with established Premiership sides, despite a modest budget, highlights McGlynn’s tactical acumen and his skill in getting the best out of his squad. Gary Naysmith’s work at Stenhousemuir has also drawn plaudits. The former professional player has turned the League One side into a formidable fortress at home, with the team remaining unbeaten on their own turf throughout the season.
Their solid defensive performances and attractive attacking play have made Stenhousemuir one of the surprise packages of the division, and Naysmith’s reputation as a developing coach continues to rise. The SPFL awards ceremony will also feature a range of other categories, reflecting the breadth of talent across Scottish football.
In the women’s game, Hearts midfielder Eva Olid has earned a place on the SWPL shortlist, and her club currently sit two points clear at the top of the table, poised to claim their first women’s league crown. Glasgow City, now second in the standings, have Leanne Ross nominated for the women’s manager award after she guided the side to a second league trophy as head coach, adding to her impressive playing résumé of 13 victories for the club.
Former Kilmarnock and Falkirk midfielder Gary Holt completes the women’s manager shortlist after taking Partick Thistle to a top‑six finish in the SWPL. Holt, who has also managed Livingston, was appointed at the Jags in November and has already made a noticeable impact. Player nominations are also underway.
Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland find themselves up against Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award. In the young player category, Rangers’ Mikey Moore joins the list alongside Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, Arbroath’s Findlay Marshall and Dundee’s Luke Graham.
The women’s player awards feature Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova, Hearts’ Georgia Timms, and Rangers’ forward Katie Wilkinson. The young player prize sees a mix of talent from Rangers (Laura Berry and May Cruft), Hibernian (Rosie Livingstone), and Glasgow City (Lisa Forrest).
As the 2025/26 season draws to a dramatic close, fans are being invited to vote for the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season. The shortlist includes a diverse group of scorers: Aberdeen’s Marko Lazetic, Celtic’s Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Hyun‑Jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti, Dundee’s Ethan Hamilton, Dundee United’s Zac Sapsford, Falkirk’s Kyrell Wilson, Hearts’ Alex Kyziridis, Kilmarnock’s Ben Brannan, and Rangers’ Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve contenders online and cast their vote for the most spectacular strike.
In addition to the awards, the league continues to promote fan engagement through initiatives such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool. Participation is free, encouraging supporters to stay involved as the season reaches its climax.
Overall, the nominations for McInnes, McGlynn and Naysmith underscore a season of exceptional managerial performances across Scotland’s football landscape. Their ability to elevate their respective clubs, whether by challenging for historic titles, securing rapid promotions, or establishing home‑ground dominance, exemplifies the high standards and competitive spirit that define the SPFL today.