Man Utd manager Michael Carrick is among the candidates for the award as Premier League Manager of the Season – after just 15 league games in charge.
Carrick, who succeeded Ruben Amorim in January, is only interim boss at Old Trafford – although the club are ready to open talks for a permanent role.
He joins a six-man shortlist also inclusive Keith Andrews, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola and Regis Le Bris for the top price.
Carrick has impressed since taking over from the Portuguese, winning 10 and drawing three of his 15 matches. If the season had started when he took over, United would sit just a single point off the top of potential leaders Manchester City.
Andrews has defied the odds at Brentford, who were tipped for relegation after losing their manager, captain and two top scorers last summer to mount a European attack – instead leading them on a charge against Europe that could still see them play Champions League football next season.
Arteta and Guardiola head into the final two weekends of the season both with the title in their sights at Arsenal and Manchester City, while outgoing Bournemouth boss Iraola has shaken off a difficult summer at the Vitality Stadium to lead the club on another memorable campaign.
Sunderland are on course to enjoy the best season of any newly promoted club since Sheffield United finished ninth under Chris Wilder in 2019/20.
The nominees have also been announced for the player of the season award with the winner of the Football Writers’ Award Bruno Fernandes shortlisted alongside the Arsenal trio Gabriel, Declan Rice and David RayaManchester City’s Antoine Semenyo and Erling HaalandNottm Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Brentford forward Igor ThiagoThe Premier League’s second best goalscorer.
Among the eight players in the running for the young player of the season award is the Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Eli Junior KroupiManchester City summer signing Ryan Cherki and Carabao Cup final double goalscorer Nico O’ReillyWest Ham midfielder Mateus FernandesNewcastle and England’s left-back Lewis HallBrentford right back Michael Kayode and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.