Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp nominated for UEFA Coach of the Year award | OneFootball

In recognition of the best performances in the Champions League, UEFA gives out several club football awards on an annual basis. The awards cover the best players in each position for both men’s and women’s football with a special award for the best manager too.

Earlier today, the federation revealed the nominees for this year’s best manager title. Carlo Ancelotti is one of the candidates in the running and arguably the favourite to win the award.

Competing against Los Blancos’ manager are Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City.

All three managers successfully drove their teams deep into the UCL last season. However, both the Premier League sides ultimately fell prey to the unstoppable Real Madrid.

It would not be an overstatement to call Ancelotti the favourite to win it this year, especially given the recent history of the award.

The last manager to be awarded the title of ‘the best’ from UEFA was Thomas Tuchel, who won the Champions League title with Chelsea last season. In 2019-20 too, it was UCL-winning Hansi Flick who took home the award.

Last season, Ancelotti not only won the Champions League but also dominated the Spanish League. His team won La Liga with a whopping 13-point lead over second-placed Barcelona, scoring 80 goals and conceding just 31.

The winner will be named during the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Istanbul on Thursday, 25 August. Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois will also be in the hall on the night with both stars nominated for the UEFA best men’s player award.