Scotland boss George Burley launched the PFA Scotland manager of the year awards on Monday afternoon, with Rangers boss Walter Smith the hot favourite to land the big prize.
Gordon Strachan has found himself under pressure from a section of the Celtic support following early exits from both cup competitions but should the champions overcome their six-point deficit to retain the SPL title, he could yet win the award for the second successive season.
Other contenders are Mark McGhee of Motherwell, Dundee United's Craig Levein, Falkirk boss John Hughes and Billy Reid, manager of First Division Hamilton.
Rangers are still in the hunt for a possible four-trophy season.
They moved closer to SPL title with a 1-0 win over Celtic on Saturday and are hot favourites to add the Scottish Cup to their CIS Cup success while they face Sporting Lisbon on Thursday in the first-leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final tie, making Smith the outstanding candidate for the award.
But McGhee has turned Motherwell from from relegation contenders to UEFA Cup hopefuls on a small budget, even after losing star striker Scott McDonald to Celtic last summer.
The former Wolves boss introduced new training methods, coped with a terrible pitch at Fir Park, and midway through the season dealt with the tragic death of captain Phil O'Donnell with dignity and could perhaps be a contender for bigger jobs this summer.
Levein's Dundee Utd are also in contention for a UEFA Cup place in his first full season in charge of the club.
His side are top-three contenders, despite selling skipper Barry Robson to Celtic in January. Their run to the CIS Insurance Cup final was followed by a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Rangers, but United's status among Scotland's foremost clubs has been restored, as has Levein's reputation as one of the country's top managers.
Meanwhile, Hughes continues to attract many admirers as Falkirk again defy expectations while playing an attractive brand of football.
If they finish in the top six, his achievements relative to available resources would be worth the consideration of his fellow bosses as they cast their votes
Finally, SPL promotion-chasers Hamilton finished fourth in the First Division last season but Reid's youthful side have taken the league by storm this term and lead the way heading into their final four fixtures.
Hamilton could be set to grace the Scottish top flight for the first time since the 1988/89 season, if they can hold off Dundee's challenge.
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