Manchester City's Pep Guardiola Named 2018-19 EPL Manager of the Year

After guiding Manchester City to their second successive Premier League title, Pep Guardiola received the 2018-19 Manager of the Year award.

City finished a point ahead of Liverpool, collecting 98 points over 38 matches. They were the first club since Manchester United in 2009 to top the league table in back-to-back seasons.

While Guardiola's honor won't stir up much controversy, some will argue Nuno Espirito Santo was a more deserving candidate after Wolverhampton Wanderers finished seventh upon making their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2012.

Imagine thinking before the season started that Wolves would finish only one spot behind Manchester United. Espirito Santo laid the groundwork for what should be a push for a European place in 2019-20.

But the last five Manager of the Year winners were responsible for delivering Premier League championships. In 2013-14, Tony Pulis received the trophy after taking over Crystal Palace midway through the season and pushing them from relegation to an 11th-place finish.

Although Manchester City have almost limitless financial resources available to them, their sixth first-division title wasn't without some difficulty.

Guardiola had to fend off the complacency that has often befallen title-winners. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was limited to only 19 appearances as he battled injuries. And Liverpool continued to put pressure on City by failing to drop points late in the season.

"That is the toughest league that we've won, the Premier League, Germany, Spain, that's the toughest that we've won," Guardiola told reporters. "I'm not going to deny it is exhausting, but winning is so addictive, and now we have the chance to win the FA Cup and a treble."

City wrap up the year Saturday against Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.