Scunthorpe United FC

It’s the 54-year-old’s first managerial award from his first nomination since taking charge of the side at the end of August 2018.

 

The award comes following an unbeaten month to open 2019, which included four wins and a draw. With three-out-of-three away victories at Peterborough United (W2-0), Walsall (W2-1) and Fleetwood Town (W1-0), along with one home victory against Coventry City (W2-1) and a draw against Sunderland (D1-1), United picked up a total of 13 points from a possible 15.

 

McCall fended off competition from Derek Adams of Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic’s Lee Bowyer and the Luton Town interim manager Mick Harford.

 

Speaking about receiving the award, McCall said: "Obviously it's a nice accolade, not for me personally, but for the club, for the players and for the staff.

 

“It'll go next to the one I won in December for the worst manager of the month! When you look at the run we were on and for the players to turn it around in January like we did, it's full credit to them.

 

“We've cut out the individual errors, worked extremely hard and showed good togetherness and teamwork, but we want to continue that now."

 

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “I am thrilled that he’s picking up the Manager of the Month award and sitting comfortably in mid-table. McCall stuck to his principles and reaped the rewards."

 

Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Stuart McCall guided his Scunthorpe team to four wins and a draw from five games in January. 

 

“Going into 2019 The Iron sat third from bottom and were as short as 4/9 be relegated. After an excellent run of results they now sit 14th and look to have staved off any fears of relegation. 

 

“They are 5/1 to go down but they will be looking up and not down and are a 50/1 shot to make the top six.”