Premier League confirm surprise Player & Manager of the Month award winners for March | OneFootball

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for March 2024 and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola has won the Manager of the Month award.

Brazilian striker Muniz continued his fine breakout season with four goals and an assist in March, while Iraola led the Cherries to three wins - including a 4-3 triumph against Luton Town after trailing 3-0 - and a draw to keep their hopes of European qualification alive.

Speaking to Fulham's club channels about his triumph, Muniz said: "Thank God. I worked a lot for it. Without my teammates, the staff, everybody who works here, this would have been impossible. I have to thank everybody.

"It's very special because the last two years and a half was difficult. I played a little bit, now my English is better, but now I am adapted to England, to Fulham. I think I am at home now."

Commenting on winning the manager's award, Iraola commented: "This award is for the whole club. I'm the one in charge but we have had a good run of results in March. The ones that probably deserve it more are the players because they are the ones that give us the chance to be successful and get the results.

"Luton was a special game. We have had a few games where we were close to not winning them and scored late."

For the first time this season, both monthly awards have been handed to representatives of teams in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Muniz follows on from James Maddison, Son Heung-min, Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke, Diogo Jota and Rasmus Hojlund in winning the Player of the Month award.

Iraola, meanwhile, is the sixth different recipient of this year's Manager of the Month prize. Ange Postecoglou scooped the award in the first three months of the season, with Erik ten Hag, Unai Emery, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta also triumphing prior to Iraola's achievement.