Manchester City’s Dias, Guardiola win Premier League awards

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias and boss Pep Guardiola have been voted the Premier League’s Player and Manager of the year for 2020-21, respectively.

Dias played a crucial role in City’s title-winning campaign after joining from Benfica in September, as well as helping Guardiola’s men claim the Carabao Cup and reach the Champions League final.

In 32 league appearances, the 24-year-old Portugal international contributed to 15 clean sheets and made 35 interceptions, 24 tackles, 23 blocks and 135 recoveries.

Last month he was named the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year, and he is among the Professional Footballers’ Association’s player of the year nominees.

Announcing himself to the #PL in 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 😎

👏 Introducing your 2020/21 @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Season: @rubendias 👏#PLAwards pic.twitter.com/FCvr2Jg1w1

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 5, 2021

The nominees Dias beat to take the Premier League award were his City teammate Kevin De Bruyne, who won it last year, Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Mason Mount, Mohamed Salah and Tomas Soucek.

Guardiola, whose side finished 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester United, wins the manager’s award for a third time, having also done so on the other two occasions he guided City to the Premier League title, in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

🥇 Records broken and another #PL title claimed 🏆

Congratulations to Pep Guardiola, your 2020/21 @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Season#PLAwards pic.twitter.com/XWplFWvvZi

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 5, 2021