Derek McInnes of Hearts, John McGlynn who leads Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the man at the helm of League One side Stenhousemuir, have all secured places on the shortlist for the Scottish Professional Football League’s Manager of the Year accolade. Their nominations were announced in partnership with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, reflecting the impressive achievements each has delivered over the course of the 2025/26 campaign. McInnes’s nomination comes as a direct result of the remarkable turnaround he has engineered at Hearts.
Since taking over the club last summer, the 54‑year‑old has guided the Jambos to a position they have not occupied since 1966 – the very top of the Scottish Premiership table. At the time of writing Hearts sit three points clear of their nearest rivals and have dominated the league for the vast majority of the season.
Their home record at Tynecastle Park is particularly noteworthy: the team remains unbeaten in league fixtures at the stadium under McInnes’s stewardship, and the side has suffered only four defeats in all competitions throughout the campaign. Such consistency has sparked talk of a possible first Premiership crown for Hearts in more than half a century, a narrative that has undoubtedly bolstered McInnes’s case for the award.
John McGlynn is also in contention for a historic third straight Manager of the Year honour. He previously collected the trophy in both 2024 and 2025, and this season he has continued to elevate Falkirk’s fortunes.
After guiding the Bairns to back‑to‑back promotions, McGlynn oversaw a top‑six finish in Falkirk’s return to the Scottish Premiership, a remarkable achievement for a club that had only just re‑entered the top flight. The consistency and resilience displayed by Falkirk under his direction have cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most effective tacticians, and his third nomination underscores the respect he commands among his peers.
Gary Naysmith’s work at Stenhousemuir has not gone unnoticed either. The former professional player has transformed the League One side into a formidable home force, keeping the team unbeaten at their home ground throughout the season. While Stenhousemuir may not be competing for a Premiership title, Naysmith’s ability to instil confidence, organise a solid defensive unit and extract strong performances from a modest squad has earned him a well‑deserved place on the shortlist.
The SPFL awards season also highlights several other notable storylines across Scottish football. In the women’s game, Hearts’ Eva Olid appears on the SWPL shortlist, and the club currently sits two points clear at the summit, poised to claim its first women’s title. Glasgow City, now second in the league, have Leanne Ross among the nominees, seeking her second league trophy as a head coach after a distinguished playing career that produced 13 victories for the club.
Gary Holt, a former midfielder for Kilmarnock and Falkirk who has also managed Livingston, is another contender after steering Partick Thistle to a top‑six finish in the SWPL. The PFA Scotland awards are also underway, with Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland competing against Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise for the Player of the Year prize. 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. Women’s player and young‑player nominations feature Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova, Hearts’ Georgia Timms, Rangers’ Katie Wilkinson, and a host of other emerging talents.
As the 2025/26 season draws to a dramatic close, fans are invited to vote for the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season. The shortlist includes spectacular strikes from Aberdeen’s Marko Lazitic, 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 goals and cast their votes through the official SPFL portal. Beyond 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 Manager of the Year reflect a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh ambition across Scotland’s football landscape.
Whether it is McInnes steering Hearts back to the summit, McGlynn pushing Falkirk to new heights, or Naysmith building a resilient Stenhousemuir side, each nominee has demonstrated the tactical acumen, motivational skill, and strategic vision that the award seeks to recognise. The final decision will be eagerly anticipated by clubs and supporters alike, as the SPFL celebrates the individuals who have shaped one of the most compelling seasons in recent memory.