After starting the 2019–20 season with four wins in six games, Artell was again nominated for the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award. Crewe were top of the table on 15 March when the EFL was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, though Artell claimed that he was "100% confident" that the season would not be scrapped, stating that "The integrity of each competition is important and we have to play the games that are left, whenever that is". He was proved wrong. Clubs voted to end the campaign without playing the remaining fixtures, and although Crewe were promoted Swindon Town won the league title with a higher points per game (PPG). Nonetheless, Artell was selected as League Two Manager of the Year in the League Managers Association Awards.