Exclusive: Pundit drops claim on Dave Challinor's Stockport County future - Interest expected | OneFootball

The Hatters have been one of League One's stories of the season

Stockport County's recent rise up the English football pyramid has only continued this season, with the Hatters enjoying an exceptional campaign.

After returning to the EFL for the first time since 2011, which included a four-season dip into the National League North between 2015 and 2019, the Hatters' remarkable upward trajectory has shown no signs of slowing down with Dave Challinor at the helm.

Following a Wembley defeat in the League Two play-off final to Carlisle United two seasons ago, the North West side bounced back to secure the fourth-tier title ahead of Wrexham last term, and are all-but set for yet another play-off campaign, this time in League One after accruing 77 points from their 42 games thus far.

And, with the EFL recently producing their shortlists for the annual end-of-season awards in London, it has caused quite a stir among those at Edgeley Park and beyond that the 49-year-old isn't in contention for becoming the division's Manager of the Season.

Joe Jacobson issues Dave Challinor praise amid Stockport County exploits

There has been an extremely high standard set towards the top of the table this year, as proven by the fact that runaway leaders, Birmingham City, secured the title with six games to spare after Wrexham's goalless draw with Wigan Athletic last weekend.

It is still feasible for County to achieve back-to-back promotions ahead of the Red Dragons, who have enjoyed a remarkable rise of their own under Phil Parkinson, as they sit just five points behind the Welsh club with four matches to go, although Wycombe Wanderers are fronting the queue when it comes to capitalising on any potential mishaps at the Stok Cae Ras.

It was confirmed by the EFL on Wednesday that Chris Davies, Parkinson, Nathan Jones and Richie Wellens are in the running for Manager of the Season, with Challinor's omission from the shortlist leaving former Wycombe Wanderers captain-turned EFL pundit, Joe Jacobson, rather perplexed.

"Dave Challinor's been incredible, hasn't he?," Jacobson exclusively told Football League World. "He's had three promotions there (at Stockport). I cannot believe he's not up for Manager of the Season in League One."

"For me, he is the Manager of the Season," the former left-back claimed.

"As well as the other teams have done around him, no one really put Stockport in that mix, and they've been the consistent team that's gone under the radar slightly, just because of what Birmingham, Wrexham and Wycombe have been doing and the likes of Charlton, Reading and Bolton behind."

"Stockport have done incredibly well, Dave Challinor's done incredibly well (for them) to be where they are.

"Obviously, there's going to be interest (in him) because of his record recently," Jacobson claimed.

"It's going to be a tough task keeping hold of him, but it seems like he's got a project at Stockport and wants to stay there," he concluded.

Stockport County's chances of back-to back promotions

Whilst it was expected by many that County would consolidate their position in the third tier this term, it is a testament to Challinor and his squad that, with four games left, there is still a chance that automatic promotion could be achieved, although reaching the play-offs in itself is a fine achievement.

The former AFC Fylde boss was able to manage the bitter blow of losing top scorer Louie Barry in January after the current Hull City loanee netted 15 times in 23 games, with the goals very much spread throughout the side, as Kyle Wooton is the only current player within the side to have hit double-figures so far.

It is imperative to bring momentum into a play-off campaign, and Stockport are doing just that, as only Birmingham have taken more points than the Greater Manchester side in the past six games, with a solitary defeat coming against Wrexham on March 25th.

For those reasons, added to the fact that Stoke City were reportedly looking at prizing Challinor away in September after Steven Schumacher's dismissal, it's understandable why so many are bemused as to why his achievements have been overlooked.