Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp singled out Nottingham Forest counterpart Steve Cooper for praise as he was crowned Manager of the Year.
The German picked up the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy at the League Managers Association awards on Tuesday night. But Cooper was also in the running for the honour.
Klopp received the most votes from LMA members, following a season in which he has won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and could yet triumph in the Champions League. Cooper was one of five other managers who received the most votes to be in contention for the silverware. Manchester City’s Premier League-winning chief Pep Guardiola, Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, Luton Town’s Nathan Jones and West Ham United’s Davis Moyes were also in the mix.