Former Newcastle manager won the accolade for guiding the Magpies back to the Premier League in his first year in charge.
Judges said they had been impressed with his "quiet determination".
Other winners included Sunderland legend Jimmy Montgomery who won the Jackie Milburn award for his contribution to football.
hris Hughton: "I think most people felt the same way, they couldn't understand that we were able to reach the targets that we'd set earlier in the season.
"Of course it's very, very difficult to understand.
"One thing's for certain, come the next day one thing you can do is look forward and that's what I'm doing."