Steve Bruce has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month for April 2021.
Newcastle United's head coach wins the prize for the first time, 19 years and 465 matches into his Premier League managerial career, after last month's four-match unbeaten run helped his side to ultimately secure safety.
"I've been going a long time to get one!" Bruce said. "A big thank you to the staff behind me, who've worked tirelessly, and of course more importantly the players, who have responded to the challenge and managed to get me the award."
Comeback kings
April began with a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, before the Magpies came from behind again to win 2-1 at Burnley.
Newcastle then responded to a West Ham United fightback by scoring a late winner in a 3-2 victory, before grabbing a 1-1 draw at Liverpool thanks to Joe Willock's stoppage-time equaliser.
"I suppose the last five minutes against Liverpool sort of summed us up really, where we had the disappointment of getting a goal disallowed," Bruce added.
"And then we even came back for more in the last minute, so showing that little bit of spirit."
Bruce won the award after votes from the public were combined with those of a panel of football experts. He beat fellow nominees Sam Allardyce, Marcelo Bielsa and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
2020/21 Barclays Manager winners
September: Carlo Ancelotti (EVE)
October: Nuno Espirito Santo (WOL)
November: Jose Mourinho (TOT)
December: Dean Smith (AVL)
January: Pep Guardiola (MCI)
February: Pep Guardiola (MCI)
March: Thomas Tuchel (CHE)
April: Steve Bruce (NEW)
Also in this series
Part 1: Lingard wins EA SPORTS Player of the Month award
Part 3: Lingard completes double with Budweiser Goal of the Month
