Kieran McKenna has guided the Blues to pole position for the second automatic promotion spot - and an immediate return to the Premier League - but misses out in the manager category, having won it back in 2024.
Those nominated instead are Frank Lampard (Coventry City), Alex Neil (Millwall), Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City) and Kim Hellberg (Middlesbrough).
And the likes of 14-goal Jack Clarke and Dutch destroyer midfield star Azor Matusiwa have also been overlooked for the player award.
Instead, Middlesbrough Hayden Hackney, Millwall's Femi Azeez, Coventry's Carl Rushworth and Swansea's Zan Vipotnik are the players who will battle it out for the trophy.
The winners will be announced live at the League’s annual ceremony in London on Sunday, April 19th - and event which is also being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football from 8.30 pm.
