The BBC Radio London Manager of the Year for 2008 has today been announced and we are delighted to say it was Andy Scott.

Andy was chosen as the Manager of the Year by a panel of judges from both inside and outside BBC London, ahead of the other two who were short listed, namely London Wasps Rugby Coach Ian McGeechan and Crystal Palace Manager Neil Warnock.

Earlier, the BBC London Young Footballer of the Year for 2008 was announced and Arsenal`s Theo Walcott got the award ahead of Nathan Elder and Crystal Palace`s Victor Moses.

But back to Andy, and after being announced as the winner he  was asked by BBC Radio London's Phil Parry about getting the job in the first place.

"It was a surprise to get the job but the lads did very well for me when I took over as caretaker. From there things have gone from strength to strength and we're pushing along in the right direction."

"My ultimate goal was to become a manager and being assistant was the first step on that route towards that. When Terry (Butcher) left and I took over as caretaker although it wasn't ideal as I was associated with Terry and things hadn't gone well. It was up to me to turn it round and I always felt with the team we had here there was a lot more to give."

Andy continued: "I loved playing, I loved training and everything about being a footballer. All of a sudden that was cut short so it was very difficult.

But I had some good people around me at Leyton Orient - Martin Ling and Barry Hearn were fantastic as well as Matt Porter and Dean Smith and when the opportunity arose to become youth team manager I jumped at it."

Phil asked him what were the essential ingredients to become a manager: "Being a manager is hard work but if you don't enjoy it you shouldn't be involved in it and fortunately I've got a lot of people around me who do enjoy the job and players who enjoy training and that makes it rewarding. It inspires me to help them improve and play at a higher level."

"I'm a family man and that keeps me grounded. I've been with my wife a long time and she knows the constraints the job puts on me. I have a ten year old and a three year old and whenever I get some time off we make sure we spend some time together as a family. If my family aren't happy at home then I wouldn't be able to do me job properly so you have to balance the two very well. I've very happy with my home life and family and that enables me to come into work with a smile on my face and transmit that to the players that I enjoy my job and so should they."

Phil finally asked him about the heart condition that ended his playing days: "I don't really do anything physically anymore to test the heart out but I think in a strange kind of way, although it doesn't affect me on the touchline in terms of stress, it's made me more cool and calculated on the touchline. I can make decisions better because I'm not shouting and screaming or jumping around. I'm very passionate about it and when people need a rollicking they will get one."