Manager of the season?  Blackburn's Mark Hughes must be in with a shout

Many of Sir Alex Ferguson’s protégés have been feted in the final weeks of the season, having successfully steered their clubs to safety. Roy Keane and Steve Bruce were rightly praised for keeping Sunderland and Wigan in the Premier League, but it is Mark Hughes who finished the highest of all the former Manchester United players now managing in the top division.

Blackburn Rovers feel that they have the finest manager in the league and the progression made by 'Sparky' in his time at Ewood Park is there for all to see. Since saving the club from relegation in his first season, they have finished no lower than tenth in his time at the club and his record in the transfer market is simply superb.

This is ably illustrated by Stephen Warnock’s recent call-up to the England squad. The former Liverpool full-back was bought  for £1.5 million and his consistent displays were a hallmark of Blackburn’s season.

All the way through the side it is clear the impact Hughes has had. Christopher Samba was signed for just £400,000 (almost a free transfer these days) and excelled at both ends of the pitch this season, and at just 24 years of age could be a rock in the Blackburn defence for many years to come.