Choosing the December 2025 Barclays Manager of the Month is a crucial decision for football fans, and this year’s shortlist presents a fascinating contest. Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Daniel Farke, and Pep Guardiola have all displayed exceptional leadership during a challenging festive period. Your vote directly influences who will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their teams’ success in the Premier League. Fans have until Monday, January 12th, at 12:00 GMT to cast their ballot for their preferred manager. The voting process combines fan sentiment with the insights of a panel of football experts, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation before the winner is announced next week. This collaborative approach highlights the importance of supporter engagement in football awards. Arteta, leading Arsenal, navigated a difficult December with remarkable resilience. Despite a late defeat to Aston Villa, he managed to steer the Gunners through the festive fixtures with a strong performance, winning five of their remaining six league matches and maintaining a healthy lead at the top of the table. His ability to keep the team focused after a potentially destabilizing loss was a testament to his managerial skill. Unai Emery has transformed Aston Villa into genuine title contenders, a significant achievement considering their slow start to the season. In December, Villa lost only once, to league leaders Arsenal, and this defeat ended an impressive run of 11 consecutive wins across all competitions. They demonstrated their grit by coming from behind to defeat Chelsea and Manchester United, showcasing Emery’s tactical acumen and team’s fighting spirit. Daniel Farke faced a tough challenge with Leeds United, who entered December on the back of several defeats. However, Farke orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, leading his team to an undefeated month. Impressive victories against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, coupled with draws against strong opponents like Liverpool, significantly boosted Leeds’ position, moving them away from the relegation zone. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City delivered a thunderous performance in December, putting their title rivals on notice. With five wins out of five matches, City scored 16 goals and conceded only five, maintaining a strong goal difference. Guardiola achieved his 150th Premier League victory during this period, underscoring his consistent success and the team’s dominant form. The question on many fans’ minds is how to best assess these managers’ contributions. Each manager faced unique challenges and achieved distinct successes. Arteta’s ability to maintain Arsenal’s top position amidst pressure, Emery’s transformation of Aston Villa, Farke’s rescue mission with Leeds, and Guardiola’s consistent dominance with Manchester City all warrant consideration. The Premier League Manager of the Month award for December 2025 recognizes strategic planning and in-game adjustments. Fans are encouraged to review the month’s results and consider the context of each team’s performance when casting their votes. The final decision will reflect a combination of on-field results and the expert panel’s assessment of managerial impact. The previous Barclays Manager of the Month winners for the 2025/26 season include Arne Slot in August, Oliver Glasner in September, Ruben Amorim in October, and Enzo Maresca in November, setting a high bar for this month’s contenders. Ultimately, the choice for December’s best manager highlights the dynamic and competitive nature of the Premier League. Your vote is important in celebrating the manager who best exemplified excellence throughout the month. The official announcement of the winner will be made soon, adding to the excitement of the Premier League season. The competition remains fierce, and every match played in December contributed to these managers’ nominations. This award is a significant recognition within the football community. The Barclays Manager of the Month award is a prestigious honor that celebrates the tactical brilliance and leadership displayed by Premier League managers. Fans have a unique opportunity to influence this outcome.
