ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has backed Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis to be in with a shout of winning the Manager of the Year award.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference this morning on the back of the Eagles' 3-2 win at Everton last night, Wenger pointed to the way Pulis has turned things around since November.
Indeed, Palace looked down and out on just four points ahead of Pulis' unveiling.
"I wouldn't choose [the winner] myself but Steve Bruce and Tony Pulis have done exceptional work, that is for sure," said Wenger.
"I believe the real job of a manager is to take the best out of the potential of the team.
"The easy way is always to choose the guy who wins the league but it is not always him who has done the best job.
"The real job is to take the best out of the potential of the team and certainly they are candidates."
