Talking Point: Brighton and Hove Albion have the best manager, pound-for-pound, in the Championship

The value of appointing Chris Hughton as manager 18 months ago was emphasised by an announcement which coincided, late on Monday evening, with the club's latest exit from the play-offs.

They have, pound-for-pound, the best manager in the Championship.

Who says so? Hughton's counterparts in the division in the League Managers' Association, who plumped for him rather than Sean Dyche of title winners Burnley.

A few eyebrows were raised, especially in Lancashire, where the basis for selection was overlooked.

The Football League versions of the awards, according to the LMA website, "are voted by all the managers in their respective divisions who take into account which of their direct competitors has made the greatest use of the resources available to him in the current season."

Hughton's accolade was justified, because Burnley (wisely as it turned out) spent more on the prolific Andre Gray than Albion did on all of their signings.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: "Chris has done a superb job this season and fully deserves this award.

"He's led and managed the team with great skill and dignity and on behalf of all our supporters, I would like to thank him for his efforts this season.

"Of course he deserves much more than this award, but it is testament to him that he's been recognised by his managerial peers."

Claudio Ranieri, inevitably, was named LMA manager of the year after guiding Leicester to their astonishing Premier League success.

The other divisional awards went to Gary Caldwell (Wigan) in League One and former Seagull Chris Wilder (Northampton) League Two.

There was also a special achievement award for Michael O'Neill for taking Northern Ireland to the Euro finals and a service to football award to Brian Lee MBE.

Richard Bevan, LMA chief executive, paid tribute to Ranieri's tactical and technical knowledge and his humility.

He could just as easily have been talking about Hughton.