It's no wonder Norwich City moved quickly to tie Alex Neil down to a new and improved contract – he's better than Jose Mourinho!

Eastern Daily Press: Jose Mourinho is not number one this time. Picture: MIKE EGERTON/PAJose Mourinho is not number one this time. Picture: MIKE EGERTON/PA (Image: PA Wire)

The Chelsea boss may have guided his men to English football's summit but it's the Canaries' chief who has scaled the full heights of the country's managerial system. According to the League Managers' Association 2014/15 performance tables, sponsored by Castrol, Neil's exploits in guiding Norwich back to the Premier League saw him ranked as the biggest success story in his profession last season.

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: 'It's clear to see Alex has had a massive impact at Norwich. Stats are never the ultimate measure of somebody's success.

'But over a number of games, and taking all other factors into account, it's clear that Alex has added to his impressive CV and done an outstanding job this season.'

City's very own 'Special One', who this week signed an extended deal at Carrow Road, finished three points clear of Mourinho – from 27 fewer fixtures – as a result of making such an immediate impression upon arriving from Hamilton in January.

See today's paper (Pink Un pull-out, June 20) to read more on Neil's latest managerial achievement.