City manager Pep Guardiola has been shortlisted as one of the three elite contenders for the 2022 Best FIFA Men’s Coach award, recognizing his exceptional coaching prowess in the men’s game.
The award covers the period from August 8, 2021 to December 18, 2022, and is considered one of the most prestigious honours in the world of football.
Under Guardiola‘s guidance, City created history by clinching their fourth Premier League title in just five years with a breathtaking finale to the 2021/22 campaign. Trailing 2-0 against Aston Villa in the last match of the season, Guardiola inspired his side to mount a stunning comeback and triumph 3-2 in a pulsating finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.
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City’s title success was widely praised for their eye-catching style of play, with the club scoring 99 goals and producing a mesmerizing blend of attacking football that has become the hallmark of Guardiola’s managerial career. The Catalan tactician also led City to the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they suffered a heart-wrenching extra-time exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
Guardiola was selected as one of the three finalists from an initial five-person shortlist by an international jury consisting of men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, football journalists, and fans, who voted through FIFA’s official website.
The other two finalists are Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. Ancelotti guided Real Madrid to a historic Champions League and La Liga double in the 2021/22 season, along with the Supercopa de Espana and the 2022 UEFA Super Cup, while Scaloni played a crucial role in leading Argentina to World Cup glory at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
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The winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Coach Award will be determined by the nominee with the most points, with each voter from the four voting groups (coaches, captains, journalists, and fans) casting their first, second, and third choices for the award. Points are given based on their placement, with five points for first, three for second, and one for third, and each group accounts for 25% of the total vote.
The winner of this coveted award will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Paris on February 27, 2023, and City wishes Guardiola the best of luck in his pursuit of this prestigious recognition.
