Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Lionel Scaloni (Argentina national team) were named as FIFA’s finalists for the 2022 ‘Best’ coach of the year award on Thursday.
None of this year’s contenders have won the award before. Previous winners of the award include Thomas Tuchel in 2021 and Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp in 2020.
Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has previously won the award and has also had two second-place finishes.
In an impressive 2022 with Los Blancos, Ancelotti won La Liga and the Champions League. It was his fourth Champions League title, and he became the only coach to have lifted four European titles.
Scaloni guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, while Guardiola won the 2021-22 Premier League with Manchester City.
In the Women’s category, the three final candidates are: Sonia Bompastor (Lyon); Pia Sundhage (Brazil national team) and Sarina Wiegman (England national team).
FIFA will announce the players shortlist on Friday.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN