Brighton & Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for April.
Hughton embraced the thrill of the chase as his side collected 16 points from a possible 18, scoring 18 goals in the process as they closed in on Middlesbrough and Burnley at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.Their expansive football brought them at least two goals in every April game.
Hughton said: “It’s quite obvious that I’m picking this up on behalf of a group of lads that have not only excelled over this month, but over the season.
“It’s an incredibly good group of staff that have contributed and we just hope that we can take that right the way through the season.
“I think we certainly would’ve bitten your hands off if you had said we would be going into the last game of the season with a chance of getting automatic promotion.”
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Chris has had a great month earning 16 out of the 18 points available.
“Few expected Brighton to be competing for automatic promotion with one game to go, so credit to Chris and his team for a fantastic season.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Chris’ Brighton side have been in terrific form in the league since the middle of March and they have put themselves into a great position going into the final weekend.
“To have automatic promotion within their grasp on the final Saturday of the season is all Chris could’ve asked for.
“He’ll know what a big performance the team will have to put in to get over the line, but he’ll also know that they’re capable of pulling it off.”
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.