Paatelainen has managed to turn things around at Killie this season.
Wright said: “I think the gaffer will be a contender for Manager of the Year.
“He’s taken a team who were relegation candidates and brought in boys no one had heard of and got us playing some of the best football in the league.
“When the gaffer came in he said he was going to change it and everyone took it on board quite quickly.
“Training has been different, we’re doing double sessions and gym sessions, there’s a lot of sports science involved.
“I don’t think we’ve had as many injuries this season, there’s not been as many niggles.
“The training is all based on passing. He’s changed the philosophy of the club and I think they are trying to get the Under-19s and younger age groups playing in the same way.
“So they’re trying to get it right throughout the club.
“It’s been enjoyable to play in because at centrehalf I just used to launch the ball forward but now we’re involved in the move right from the start.”
