Luis Enrique named FIFA World Coach of the Year
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has been named FIFA World Coach of the
Year for Men’s Football after leading Barcelona to a Treble in his first
year in charge.
Luis Enrique was honoured at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday, though the coach was not in attendance.
Under his leadership in 2015, Barcelona won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
He won the award over fellow finalists Pep Guardiola of Bayern Munich and Jorge Sampaoli of Chile.
Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez accepted the award on behalf of Luis Enrique.
“It must have been a very difficult choice because the other candidates very, very high quality,” Fernandez said.
“I shouldn’t forget to mention because Luis would otherwise be very angry with me: Luis wants to share this award, given that there are so many people who have supported him in difficult times and good times.
“The staff, the president, the board, the fans and our players. This is an incredible dream team that has pushed us forward.”
Earlier, United States coach Jill Ellis was named the top coach for women’s football after leading the Americans to the 2015 Women’s World Cup title.
“It’s amazing to be part of an amazing football family,” Ellis said. “This certainly represents a whole lot of people, to our players our captains our staff back in the USA it’s my sincere gratitude to your effort and your belief in this team.
“To my friends and family, my parents are here tonight, my dad was my first coach it’s a thrill to have him here tonight.
“To FIFA, our own federation, to Sunil Gulati, thank you for your belief and investment and continued belief in women’s football.”
Luis Enrique was honoured at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday, though the coach was not in attendance.
Under his leadership in 2015, Barcelona won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
He won the award over fellow finalists Pep Guardiola of Bayern Munich and Jorge Sampaoli of Chile.
Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez accepted the award on behalf of Luis Enrique.
“It must have been a very difficult choice because the other candidates very, very high quality,” Fernandez said.
“I shouldn’t forget to mention because Luis would otherwise be very angry with me: Luis wants to share this award, given that there are so many people who have supported him in difficult times and good times.
“The staff, the president, the board, the fans and our players. This is an incredible dream team that has pushed us forward.”
Earlier, United States coach Jill Ellis was named the top coach for women’s football after leading the Americans to the 2015 Women’s World Cup title.
“It’s amazing to be part of an amazing football family,” Ellis said. “This certainly represents a whole lot of people, to our players our captains our staff back in the USA it’s my sincere gratitude to your effort and your belief in this team.
“To my friends and family, my parents are here tonight, my dad was my first coach it’s a thrill to have him here tonight.
“To FIFA, our own federation, to Sunil Gulati, thank you for your belief and investment and continued belief in women’s football.”
