Derek McInnes of Hearts, John McGlynn who leads Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the manager of League One side Stenhousemuir, have all been placed on the shortlist for the Scottish Professional Football League’s Manager of the Year honour. The nominations come as part of a joint initiative with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, recognising the exceptional achievements each coach has delivered over the course of the 2025/26 campaign. McInnes’s nomination is largely driven by his remarkable work in steering Hearts back to the forefront of Scottish football. Under his guidance the Jambos have surged to the top of the Premiership table, sitting three points clear at the summit after a season in which they have been the dominant force for virtually the entire campaign.
Since taking over at Tynecastle Park last summer, the 54‑year‑old has overseen an unbeaten home record in league play and has limited the club to just four defeats across all competitions. This resurgence marks the closest the club has come to clinching a top‑flight title since their historic triumph in 1966, and it has ignited excitement among supporters who now dream of a long‑awaited championship. John McGlynn, meanwhile, is in contention for a third straight Manager of the Year award – a feat that would set a new record. He previously secured the accolade in both 2024 and 2025, and his continued success with Falkirk reinforces his reputation as one of Scotland’s most effective tacticians.
After orchestrating back‑to‑back promotions, the Bairns have cemented a top‑six finish in their first season back in the Premiership, defying expectations and establishing themselves as a competitive side capable of challenging the traditional powerhouses. McGlynn’s ability to extract consistent performances from his squad, coupled with his strategic acumen, has propelled Falkirk to new heights and kept the club firmly in the conversation for European qualification. Gary Naysmith’s nomination highlights the impressive progress Stenhousemuir have made under his stewardship.
Competing in League One, the team has remained unbeaten at home throughout the season, a testament to Naysmith’s emphasis on defensive solidity and disciplined organization. His side’s performances have not only entertained the local fan base but have also positioned Stenhousemuir as a genuine contender for promotion, underscoring the impact a well‑structured managerial approach can have even at the lower tiers of Scottish football.
The shortlist also features several notable names from the women’s game and the broader Scottish football community. Eva Olid from Hearts appears on the SWPL shortlist, and with her team currently two points clear at the top of the women’s table, a double triumph for the Hearts brand looks increasingly plausible.
Glasgow City sit second in the SWPL, with head coach Leanne Ross vying for a second league trophy after a distinguished playing career that yielded thirteen victories for the club. Gary Holt, a former midfielder for Kilmarnock and Falkirk who has also managed Livingston, rounds out the SWPL manager nominations after guiding Partick Thistle to a top‑six finish. In addition to the managerial awards, the PFA Scotland has announced its nominees for player honours.
Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland will battle Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise for the senior player of the year prize. The young player category includes Rangers’ Mikey Moore, Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, Arbroath’s Findlay Marshall and Dundee’s Luke Graham. Female player nominations feature Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova, Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers’ forward Katie Wilkinson, while the young women’s player shortlist comprises Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest.
As the 2025/26 season draws to a dramatic close, fans are also invited to vote for their favourite goal of the season. The shortlist showcases a blend of spectacular strikes from across the leagues, including 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 vote via the official SPFL portal.
Beyond the awards, the league continues to promote fan engagement through initiatives such as the Super 6 competition, offering participants the chance to win a £250,000 prize pool at no cost. The ongoing excitement surrounding the SPFL’s end‑of‑season accolades reflects the vibrancy of Scottish football at all levels, celebrating the achievements of managers, players, and supporters alike.