:: MANAGER OF THE SEASON: Roberto Mancini

There are those who would say that, because Manchester City are the richest club in the world and possess the deepest squad in English football, they should have won the Premier League regardless of who was in charge.

And, it is true, they could not have won their first title for 44 years without the hundreds of millions pumped into the club by owner Sheikh Mansour.

But it is one thing to assemble a bunch of hugely-paid, highly-talented individuals - and quite another to get them playing as a team capable of seeing off Arsenal and Chelsea by a distance and neighbours Manchester United, who they beat home and away, by a nose in the dramatic title denouement.

Big money and deep squads bring problems. It is testimony to Mancini's nous and nerve that he was able to keep City's title tilt on course while Carlos Tevez flounced off AWOL for six months after refusing to warm up on the touchline in a Champions League match.

It says much for Mancini's pragmatism that he was prepared to accept the return of a half-fit Tevez for the title run-in during which the Argentina striker made significant contributions.

Mancini has also had to deal with the flawed character of Mario Balotelli, whose dubious actions on and off the field have not always appeared to put City first. Dressing rooms can fester in such circumstances.

Mancini, however, preserved the harmony and the focus of his senior players, which was paramount when it came down to the last frenetic few minutes when the title was won. Mancini managed. He did so while City scored the most goals (93) and conceded the least (29), and reached a points total of 89 - just one fewer than Arsenal amassed in their 'Invincibles' season of 2003-04 when they remained unbeaten.

He did all that with the hot breath of Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and the weight of City's dismal recent history around his neck. That is why he deserves the ultimate accolade.

:: Alan Pardew

The expectation for Newcastle was a battle against relegation. They almost made it into the Champions League, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

They did so on the proverbial shoestring and due to Pardew's wisdom and eye for a player. Demba Ba was an inspired purchase from West Ham and gave the Magpies a goal threat, especially in the first half of the season. Papiss Cisse was by some distance the best business of the transfer window, scoring brilliant goals and lots of them in the run-in.

Even more influential perhaps was Hatem Ben Arfa, who provided the midfield creativity for a side with a fine goalkeeper in Tim Krul, solidity at the back and a pleasing balance.

:: Brendan Rodgers

Universally acclaimed for the manner in which he set up his Swansea team to play attacking, passing, entertaining football.

Wins at home against Arsenal and Manchester City and a draw with Chelsea say much about the Swans' pedigree. They demonstrated how playing without fear but with organisation and composure can succeed in the Premier League, even if the team lacks big names and expensive signings.

The Liberty Stadium became a venue at which no away team relished playing and that was down to the belief and confidence Rodgers instilled in his players. After finishing 11th, Swansea's toughest task now is not keeping those players. They have the same problem as 12th-placed Norwich with the equally impressive Paul Lambert - keeping the manager.

:: Roberto Martinez

No-one gave Wigan a chance of staying up when they lost eight consecutive league matches early in the season. No-one other than Martinez, maybe, and chairman Dave Whelan.

The loyalty between the pair has been one of football's most heart-warming stories, but it is the way Martinez tweaked the way his side played, without compromising his attacking ethos, which is the most impressive part of the Latics' relegation escape to finish a creditable 15th.

The defence was bolstered but invariably three forwards were implemented to launch counter attacks. It saw Wigan defeat Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle in the final weeks of the season, plus their loss to Chelsea was harsh, arriving courtesy of two offside goals. If overcoming problems and inventing new strategies is the art of management, then Martinez is up there with the best.