9. Ali Go (Ceres)

Another season of success for Ceres and their now-former manager, winning the 2015 UFL title by a full eight points from Loyola before embarking on a history-making run in the AFC Cup.

Although not listed as the ‘official’ manager due to registration issues, former Philippines national team star Go was the man pulling the strings behind the scenes as the club went undefeated to top its group ahead of the more highly-fancied Tampines Rovers and Selangor.

It took until the 107th minute for Hong Kong outfit South China to break down their resistance and eliminate them from the tournament at the Round of 16 stage, but it showed just how far the club had come under the man who in many ways built its modern success.

Stepping up into a more overarching role as club director as Risto Vidakovic took control of the day-to-day management of the team in July, it may not be long before the 39-year-old is back on the touchline should the club’s struggles under their new coach – they’re currently without a win in their past three games – continue. 

8. U Kyi Lwin (Magwe)

Quietly spoken and quietly rising up FourFourTwo’s annual list of the leading ASEAN managers [he was No.11 last year], the former national team star has done nothing but solidify his already strong reputation over the past 12 months.

After guiding the Myanmar under-22 side to the final of the 2015 SEA Games, Kyi Lwin returned to the club scene where he’s led Magwe to a string of impressive results over more fancied – and better funded – opponents in the national league.

At the time of writing the club is on a nine-match unbeaten run that included a 1-0 victory against runaway league leaders Yadanarbon at the start of the month.

Second on the standings as the league draws to a close it’s been another successful season for the club from the banks of the Irrawaddy and its coach, who is famously close to his playing group and regarded as the best tactical mind in the Land of the Golden Pagodas.