Analysing the seven nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2021
The seven nominees for the The Best FIFA Men's Coach 2021 have been revealed.
The elite shortlist features three managers who are currently employed in the Premier League, which has been home to the winner of the last two years: Jurgen Klopp.
It's voted by national team managers, national captains, a specialist journalist representing a national team, and fans registered on FIFA.com who look at each manager's achievements from the period 8th October 2020 to 7th August 2021. The winner will be announced on 17th January 2022.
Below we take a look at the seven managers and their respective achievements.
Former Winners
2020: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
2019: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
2018: Didier Deschamps (France)
2017: Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)
2016: Claudio Ranieri (Leicester)
Antonio Conte
- Nation: Italy
- Club(s): Inter Milan | Tottenham
What did he achieve?
Antonio Conte won the fifth league title of his managerial career after he led Inter Milan to Serie A glory in his second season in charge. His fourth Scudetto success, Conte ended Juventus’ nine-year supremacy by cooking up a dominant campaign which saw the Nerazzurri accumulate 91 points and suffer just three defeats - AC Milan were a distant 2nd, 12 points back. Goal-machine Romelu Lukaku was the star of the show, excelling under Conte’s leadership, while full-back Achraf Hakimi was an excellent signing.
Abruptly left Inter Milan in the summer and has recently returned to management with Tottenham.
Any disappointments?
Finished rock-bottom of their Champions League group with just one win, and lost out to Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Hansi Flick
- Nation: Germany
- Club(s): Bayern Munich | German national team
What did he achieve?
A nominee for the second successive season after he added more trophies to his glistening collection at Bayern Munich. Hansi Flick delivered the Bundesliga title once again, plus the FIFA Club World Cup. He also lifted the DFL-Supercup and the UEFA Super Cup but they were before October 2020.
Joachim Low’s departure from Germany after the Euros saw Flick switch jobs in the summer: he’s won all seven of his matches so far, overseeing 31 goals and conceding just two.
Any disappointments?
Bayern Munich are expected to win every competition they enter, so it was a huge shock to see them stunned in the second round of the DFB-Pokal by second division side Holstein Kiel, while they exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage - they were, however, very unlucky in that away goals defeat to PSG.
Pep Guardiola
- Nation: Spain
- Club(s): Man City
What did he achieve?
After a slow start to the season Pep Guardiola rocketed Man City into shape and then oversaw a stunning 21-game winning run in all competitions. He won the League Cup for a record-equalling fourth-time and then added another Premier League title to his collection; his third in four seasons. Led City to their first ever Champions League final and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. Employing Joao Cancelo as an inverted wing-back was a masterstroke, Ruben Dias was an exceptional signing, and a rejuvenated Ilkay Gundogan was instrumental from December onwards.
Any disappointments?
Bitter-sweet. While Guardiola enjoyed an exceptional campaign on the whole, he’ll probably still be wondering why he opted not to field a natural holding midfielder in what was a thoroughly disappointing defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League final.
Roberto Mancini
- Nation: Italy
- Club(s): Italian national team
What did he achieve?
Appointed Italy manager in 2018 during one of the country’s lowest periods after they had missed out on the World Cup, Roberto Mancini worked his managerial magic to elevate the Azzurri into European Champions come the summer of 2021; beating England on their own patch. Mancini completely transformed Italy from a directionless shell of a side into a dynamic, entertaining, mentally strong, and successful outfit. He gets extra points for looking sensational in a suit too (see main article picture).
Any disappointments?
Given that the award only takes into account performances between October 2020 and August 2021, Italy's post-Euros hangover shouldn't affect Mancini's chances.
World Cup Winner Odds
-
16.1%
-
13.2%
-
12.2%
-
10%
-
10.4%
-
8.3%
-
5.9%
-
6.3%
-
5.3%
-
2.9%
-
2
1/2 -
2
1/2 -
2
1/2 -
2
1/2 -
2
1/2 -
2
1/2 -
-
2
1/2
🔴 MADE AT NEWELL'S ⚫️
Captain Lionel Messi embraces manager Lionel Scaloni as Argentina win their first Copa América since 1993 🏆
https://t.co/QpeprSumrh
Lionel Scaloni
- Nation: Argentina
- Club(s): Argentinian national team
What did he achieve?
Mancini isn’t the only national team manager who features on the shortlist, step-forward Lionel Scaloni. Scaloni ended 28 years of hurt after he led Argentina to their first Copa América title since 1993. It was particularly sweet as Argentina beat hosts, and fierce rivals, Brazil in the final.
Scaloni’s troops are enjoying a 27-game unbeaten run dating back to 2019, and have since booked their place in Qatar.
Any disappointments?
If we’re being really really picky, it's Brazil who have dominated the South American World Cup qualifying group so far.
Diego Simeone
- Nation: Argentina
- Club(s): Atlético Madrid
What did he achieve?
Barcelona and Real Madrid may have declined in recent years, but that takes nothing away from Diego Simeone’s La Liga title success last season. Atletico Madrid held their nerve in a final day comeback against Real Valladolid to seal the title for the first time in seven years, preventing rivals Real Madrid from retaining the crown. Simeone’s decision to sign Luis Suarez for £5.5m was incredible business - a player who personified El Cholo's fighting spirit, passion, and fiery nature.
Any disappointments?
Losing to third-tier UE Cornella in the second round of the Copa del Rey was pretty awful, while they were outplayed across two legs by Chelsea in the last-16 of the Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel
- Nation: Germany
- Club(s): PSG | Chelsea
What did he achieve?
Savagely sacked by PSG on Christmas Eve, Thomas Tuchel stormed back into the dugout a month later with an out-of-sorts Chelsea side that were 9th in the table. It was a difficult time for the Blues as it was club legend Frank Lampard who was sent packing and while the decision seemed a tad harsh at the time, it proved to be a masterstroke as Tuchel thoroughly justified his mid-season appointment: In the space of four months he transformed Chelsea into European champions - outwitting Pep Guardiola - sealed a top-four finish, and nearly won an FA Cup too. His switch to three at the back was a tactical coup.
Any disappointments?
Losing the FA Cup final to Leicester City and a 5-2 shock defeat at home to West Brom were the only real downers of an incredible four months.
Champions League Winner Odds
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25%
-
16.7%
-
14.3%
-
12.5%
-
7.7%
-
6.7%
-
5.9%
-
3.8%
-
2.9%