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 secured places on the shortlist for the Scottish Professional Football League’s Manager of the Year accolade. The nominations were announced 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 turnaround of Hearts, guiding the club to the edge of a league title that has eluded them since 1966. Under his leadership, the Jambos have established a three‑point advantage at the summit of the Scottish Premiership and have been the dominant force for virtually the entire season.
Since taking charge last summer, the 54‑year‑old has overseen an unbeaten run at Tynecastle Park in league play and has suffered only four defeats across all competitions, a record that underscores his tactical acumen and ability to motivate his squad. John McGlynn, meanwhile, is chasing a historic third consecutive Manager of the Year award after clinching the honour in both 2024 and 2025.
His work with Falkirk has been nothing short of transformative. After guiding the Bairns to back‑to‑back promotions, McGlynn steered the team to a respectable top‑six finish in their first season back in the top flight. The consistency and resilience displayed by Falkirk under his guidance have cemented his reputation as one of the most effective managers in Scottish football today. Gary Naysmith’s nomination reflects the impressive progress Stenhousemuir have made under his direction.
The League One side have been unbeaten at home throughout the season, a testament to Naysmith’s defensive organization and his knack for extracting strong performances from his players. His ability to foster a winning mentality at a club with limited resources has not gone unnoticed, earning him a place alongside the more high‑profile nominees.
Beyond the men’s game, the awards ceremony also shines a spotlight on the women’s side of Scottish football. Hearts’ women’s team, featuring Eva Olid among the nominees, sit two points clear at the top of the SWPL table and are in contention for their first league crown.
Glasgow City, currently second, have Leanne Ross on the shortlist after a season in which she guided the side to another trophy, adding to her impressive résumé that includes 13 wins as a player for the club. Gary Holt, a former midfielder for Kilmarnock and Falkirk who has also managed Livingston, rounds out the shortlist after steering Partick Thistle to a top‑six finish in the SWPL. The awards also include categories for players. Hearts’ attacking duo Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland are competing 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 likes of Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, Arbroath’s Findlay Marshall and Dundee’s Luke Graham. The 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 emerging talents such as Laura Berry, May Cruft, Rosie Livingstone and Lisa Forrest. As the 2025/26 season draws to a dramatic close, fans are invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season.
The shortlist includes striking finishes from across the league: 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’ promising duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve goals and cast their votes via the official voting page.
In addition to the footballing accolades, the SPFL has partnered with a promotional campaign offering fans the chance to win a share of £250,000 through the Super 6 competition, with free entry available to all participants. The campaign aims to engage supporters across the country, encouraging them to stay involved as the season reaches its climax. Overall, the nominations for Manager of the Year reflect a diverse array of coaching talent across Scottish football, from the top tier of the Premiership down to the grassroots level of League One.
Each nominee has demonstrated a unique blend of strategic insight, leadership, and the ability to get the best out of their squads, making the final decision a true celebration of managerial excellence in Scotland.