Sir Alex Ferguson signs off with LMA's Premier League manager of the year award

Sir Alex Ferguson was named the LMA's Premier League manager of the year (AP)

Sir Alex Ferguson was named the LMA's Premier League manager of the year.

The outgoing Manchester United boss picked up the award at a dinner in London and admitted he was relieved the celebrations to mark his retirement were over.

They culminated in his last match in charge yesterday, a 5-5 draw at West Brom.

Ferguson said: “It has been overwhelming. The club has been fantastic and congratulations to West Brom with the way they handled yesterday.

”In a way I am glad it is all over now - because it has been hard work!

“I think [West Brom manager] Steve Clarke should get an award because anyone who scores five against United deserves it.”

Ferguson added that he was confident he was leaving United in good hands, with the club's emphasis on bringing through young players.

United also won the inaugural Barclays Under-21 Premier League, beating Tottenham tonight.

He said: “It has always placed a great emphasis on youth long before I came.

”Sir Matt Busby started that and took Manchester United into Europe, the first English club to do so.

“It's always been there and I have tried to maintain that though it is more difficult in the present climate - you have to scout abroad now but you are still looking for young people who can do well.”

Cardiff’s Malky Mackay was named the Championship manager of the season after winning the title.

He said: “I am just very proud of the whole club - a lot of people in the last two years have put hard work into building this.”

Yeovil's Gary Johnson was named the League One manager of the year and Gillingham's Martin Allen won the League Two award.

England manager Roy Hodgson was elected into the LMA's 1,000 club for managers who had been in charge of 1,000 games after the body agreed to take overseas and international matches into account.

Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy was also elected into the club.

Hodgson, who has coached in eight different countries, said the job of a manager was becoming tougher.

He said: “You have to be very lucky to survive the ups and downs and that's getting harder and harder.

”I have been lucky and done it in some quite easy places to be compared to what Sir Alex Ferguson has done at Manchester United and Aberdeen, that's for sure.“

Roberto di Matteo was given a special LMA merit award for his feat in taking Chelsea to Champions League and FA Cup glory last season.

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson was also given a special merit award for his achievements in taking the Bantams to the Capital One Cup final and promotion to League One.

PA