Cambridge United boss Shaun Derry has been named the Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month for December.
Derry made a remarkable impact, giving his new charges the belief to climb back towards the Play-Off places. The highlight of their three wins and a draw in four games was a 2-1 victory at leaders Plymouth Argyle.The manager said: "This accolade is a recognition of the work performed by everybody at the club during the month December, including all the coaching staff, the players and all the staff who work at Cambridge United.
"December was a good month for the club and my highlight would certainly be the win we secured away to Plymouth, who are great side in this division as shown by their league position.
"Although I have been nominated before, this is my first Manager of the Month award and as a young manager aspiring to achieve a successful managerial career, I'm very proud to have been recognised in this way by The League."
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Shaun has made a great start at his new club, gaining three wins and a draw during December.
“He lead the club to an outstanding win at leaders Plymouth Argyle which has taken Cambridge United back towards the Play-Off places.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Shaun Derry’s introduction at Cambridge has already begun to pay dividends, as he dragged the team from 18th in November to sit 10th going into the New Year.
“The board knew that it was a risk to appoint a relatively inexperienced manager, but Derry is repaying their faith and must now be aiming for a top-seven finish.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Cambridge have flattered to deceive a little after being one of the best backed teams in Sky Bet League 2 before the start of the season.
“After making the move to Derry in mid-November they took a while to get going but they kicked into gear at the end of November and carried that into December, a month where they went unbeaten and scored eight goals in four games."
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town boss George Burley, Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.