On receiving the award, Thomas said: “I am delighted to be named Manager of the Month, but this is not an award for me, it is an award for every member of staff and every player at Brentford. Throughout the lockdown period, and since we’ve been back at Jersey Road, everyone has been working so hard to get us into the best possible shape. This a reward for all that work with another, bigger, reward hopefully ahead in the coming weeks.”

Thomas beat Wigan Athletic's Paul Cook, Charlton boss Lee Bowyer, and Cardiff City's Neil Harris to the award after winning all three games, without conceding, during the month.

First up, Said Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes struck late in a 2-0 derby victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage before fellow promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion were beaten by a single Ollie Watkins' strike at Griffin Park. The month was rounded off with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Reading at The Madejski Stadium; Bryan Mbeumo, Josh Dasilva, and Joel Valencia on target.

Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel. He said: “In-form Wigan and manager Paul Cook were just pipped to this award by the great results of Thomas Frank and his Bees team. Brentford beat fellow promotion candidates Fulham and West Bromwich Albion, and then won away at Reading. Beating your nearest rivals is a great confidence booster at this important part of the season.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s thanks to Thomas Frank’s incredible Brentford side that we’ve still got a fight for automatic promotion that is well and truly alive and kicking in the Sky Bet Championship. The Bees have been in sensational form since the restart and are chasing the leading duo, leaving no room for error during the run in. Frank’s team have showed improvement throughout the campaign and if they were to have to face a Play-Off campaign, there won’t be any team heading in with more confidence than Brentford.”

Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Thomas Frank’s Brentford hit the ground running post lockdown, winning all five games and cutting a 10-point deficit to second to five points*, and an 8/1 chance to secure automatic promotion down to 3/1*. Brentford will be Sky Bet’s favourites to win the Play-Offs should they fail to finish in the top two and are 8/11 to be playing Premier League football in their new stadium next season (from 5/4 pre-lockdown).”

*Correct at time of release

The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.