Three renowned coaches from Europe—Pep Guardiola of Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid, and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool—stand at the center of the UEFA Coach of the Year discussion. Each has left a distinct mark on the game, and their paths occasionally intersect in conversations about the continent’s best managerial talent. The upcoming decision will view their careers through the lens of a single, prestigious award that recognizes excellence in coaching across Europe.
Carlo Ancelotti’s second stint at Real Madrid has already yielded significant triumphs, including victories in the Spanish league and a Champions League title. His approach emphasizes experience, adaptability, and a calm leadership style that helps teams navigate the pressures of high-stakes matches. In the longer arc of his coaching journey, Ancelotti’s success underscores a persistent ability to reinvent teams while sustaining a winning culture over multiple seasons.
Pep Guardiola has continued to demonstrate consistency and a high level of achievement during his tenure at Manchester City. Over the last five seasons, his teams have secured a Premier League title in four of those campaigns, reflecting both his tactical innovation and his capacity to maintain peak performance across a demanding schedule. Guardiola’s philosophy centers on patient buildup, positional play, and relentless pressing, traits that have helped redefine expectations for English club football and influence attacker-minded, possession-based systems around the world.
Jurgen Klopp has etched his name into modern football history through a blend of intense pressing, rapid counterattacks, and an emphasis on collective resilience. At Liverpool, he has guided the club to triumphs in the FA Cup and the League Cup while keeping the club competitive in the Premier League and European competitions. Although the major continental and domestic prizes can be elusive at times, Klopp’s teams are celebrated for their high-energy style, unity, and the emotional connection they forge with fans, giving him a lasting place in conversations about elite coaching.
The process to crown the Coach of the Year involves alignment with other UEFA awards and a transparent selection framework. The winner of the Coach of the Year title is announced in tandem with the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and the UEFA Women’s Player and Coach of the Year awards. The official ceremony for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw took place in Istanbul, marking a high-profile moment in the annual calendar that gathers fans, players, and experts from across Europe to celebrate top-tier football administration and performance.
A UEFA technical working group played a key role in shaping the initial pool of nominees for the Coach of the Year. This group, comprised of specialists who study performance and tactical innovation across leagues, identified a preliminary list of six coaches who stood out due to their achievements, leadership, and impact during the season. Their selections set the stage for public interest and expert discussion about which manager best embodied excellence in European football during the year.
From that initial list, a curated shortlist of three finalists emerged through a voting process that includes input from multiple stakeholders. The participating clubs in the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League group stages contribute to the panel, alongside a group of journalists selected by the European Sports Media. This collaborative approach aims to reflect a broad spectrum of perspectives on managerial excellence and the difficult choices faced by judges evaluating tactical ingenuity, consistency, and the ability to lead teams to success in the most demanding competitions.
Several other coaches also remain in the discussion as potential finalists, reflecting the depth of European coaching talent. Oliver Glasner of Eintracht Frankfurt earned substantial recognition with strong points. Unai Emery, guiding Villarreal, also gathered meaningful consideration for his contributions and strategic acumen. José Mourinho, leading Roma, remained a prominent figure with a notable thread of achievement behind him, reinforcing the competitive nature of the field and the diverse styles that excel at the highest levels of the game.