After an excellent result in the month of February, Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton, wins Premier League Manager of the Month prize, making him becomes first ever black coach to win the award in the 25 years of Premier League’s history.
The 59-year-old trainer team Brighton and Hove Albion was in the relegation zone at the start of February, but seven points he picked from three games throughout the February made his team out of the relegation. A victory over West Ham was followed by a draw away to Stoke before an excellent month was rounded off with a dominant win over Swansea City at the Amex Stadium.
Chris Hughton who has been in charge 121 games for clubs such as Newcastle, Norwich City and now Brighton, says his players, coaches and medical staff all deserve credit for the award.
‘It’s a wonderful achievement for the club and certainly for a group of players that have improved as the season has gone on and knowing that we’ve still got a lot of work to do,’ Hughton said.
‘I have wonderful medical staff and coaching staff.
‘We’re thankful to a lot of people but, of course, it’s the players, the players have enjoyed being in this division so far and are desperate to make sure that we stay there.’
The month of February did not only see Brighton thrive in the Premier League as they also qualified for the FA Cup quarter-finals by beating Coventry City. In fact, they are unbeaten in seven games across all competitions.
Their March could not have got off to a better start either. They beat Arsenal 2-1 at home to vault into the top half of the table and now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone with 34 points from 29 games.
They could further cement their position in the top half, and the division, with a win over Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, which would also keep Hughton in contention for the March award. An FA Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United follows later this month.