Derek McInnes of Heart of Midlothian, John McGlynn who steers Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the man at the helm of League One outfit Stenhousemuir, have all been placed on the shortlist for the Scottish Professional Football League’s Manager of the Year award. The nominations were made in partnership with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, highlighting the remarkable achievements each coach has delivered over the course of the 2025/26 campaign.
McInnes’s nomination stems from his remarkable work in guiding Hearts to a position that threatens to be the club’s first Premiership championship since the historic triumph in 1966. Under his leadership, the Jambos have maintained a three‑point cushion at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, having been the dominant force for virtually the entire season. Since taking charge in the summer of last year, the 54‑year‑old manager has kept Hearts unbeaten at Tynecastle Park in league play, and the side has suffered only four defeats across all competitions this season, a testament to the consistency and resilience he has instilled.
John McGlynn, meanwhile, is chasing an unprecedented third straight Manager of the Year trophy after securing the honour in both 2024 and 2025. His tenure at Falkirk has been marked by a rapid ascent through the divisions, with back‑to‑back promotions propelling the Bairns back into the Scottish Premiership. In their first season after returning to the top flight, Falkirk achieved a respectable top‑six finish, underscoring McGlynn’s ability to adapt his tactics and motivate his squad against higher‑level opposition.
The consistency of his results has made him a favourite among the voting panel and a benchmark for managerial excellence in the league. Gary Naysmith’s work with Stenhousemuir in League One has also drawn considerable praise.
The former professional player has transformed the club’s fortunes, leading them to an unbeaten home record this season. The defensive solidity and attacking flair displayed at Ochilview Park have positioned Stenhousemuir as one of the most exciting sides in the division, and Naysmith’s strategic acumen has not gone unnoticed by the shortlist selectors. Beyond the men’s game, the SPFL awards also recognise achievements in the women’s game.
Hearts’ women’s side, currently two points clear at the top of the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), have a strong chance of clinching the title for the first time in the club’s history. Eva Olid, a key figure in the Hearts women’s squad, has been placed on the SWPL shortlist, reflecting the club’s overall upward trajectory across both genders.
Glasgow City sit second in the SWPL table, with head coach Leanne Ross also nominated for the women’s manager award after guiding the team to a series of impressive performances. Former Kilmarnock and Falkirk midfielder Gary Holt, now in charge of Partick Thistle’s women’s side, rounds out the shortlist after steering his side to a top‑six finish.
The awards ceremony will also feature player categories. Hearts’ forward Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Claudio Braga are among those contending for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award, alongside Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise of Motherwell. In the young player category, Rangers’ Mikey Moore joins the likes of Barney Stewart (Falkirk), Findlay Marshall (Arbroath) and Luke Graham (Dundee) as nominees.
The women’s player and young player awards include Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova, Hearts’ Georgia Timms, and Rangers’ Katie Wilkinson, among others. 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 features a diverse array of talent: Marko Lazitic (Aberdeen), Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor (Celtic), Hyun‑Jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic), Ethan Hamilton (Dundee), Zac Sapsford (Dundee United), Kyrell Wilson (Falkirk), Alex Kyziridis (Hearts), Ben Brannan (Kilmarnock), and the Rangers duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve nominated goals and cast their vote for the most spectacular finish of the campaign.
In addition to the awards, the SPFL continues to promote fan engagement through initiatives such as the Super 6 competition, offering participants a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool. The competition remains free to enter and is part of the league’s broader strategy to increase interaction with supporters across Scotland.
Overall, the nominations for McInnes, McGlynn and Naysmith highlight a season of exceptional managerial performances that have reshaped the competitive landscape of Scottish football. Their achievements, alongside those of the women’s managers and the nominated players, illustrate the depth of talent and ambition present throughout the league system.
The upcoming awards ceremony will not only celebrate individual excellence but also underscore the collective progress of Scottish football as it moves toward an increasingly vibrant and competitive future.